Looks like the Union are loaning (Read: sending down) rookie midfielders Greg Jordan and Jimmy McLaughlin to USL Pro club Harrisburg City Islanders.

It's a move that had to be made. Here's why: They need playing time.

The Union took 22-year-old Jordan out of Creighton with the 32nd overall pick in January's SuperDraft. Earlier in the offseason, in December 2011, the Union made 19-year-old McLaughlin their second Homegrown Player. The only problem was the two have played with the first team in only one match --- Wednesday's loss to Aston Villa in a friendly.

There's only so much young players can soak up from MLS Reserve League matches, international friendlies or -- let's face it -- practice cones for the regulars. McLaughlin will be a better player because of this arrangement. So will Jordan. They'll play regularly with the Union's affiliate club.

Here's something else that can be gleaned from this personnel move: The Union have faith in Cristhian Hernandez and Zach Pfeffer. Both the forward and the midfielder have gotten similar amounts of playing time, yet remain with the big club. For depth? Hardly. It's probably a combination of two things -- a show of good faith by the technical staff and a statement that Hernandez and Pfeffer are closer to contributing than Jordan and McLaughlin.