(Times / JULIA WILKINSON)

One guy in this photo was passed over for John Hackworth's starting XI. The other is serving a one-game suspension.

The Union's lineup tonight vs. Real Salt Lake takes on a unique look. Here it is:

GK ... MacMath
DF ... G Farfan, Valdes, Okugo, Gaddis
MF ... Lahoud, Carroll, M Farfan, Gomez
FW ... McInerney, Cruz
Bench ... Harrison, Albright, Lopez, Adu, Daniel, Martinez, Hoppenot

A few notes about the 18:

• Where's Freddy? Well, Hackworth wasn't kidding. He said earlier in the week that it wasn't in the Union's plans to make Freddy Adu a 90-minute player. Tonight, he most certainly will not be, as he will come off the bench -- if he enters the match, at all. It's the first time since July 21 (at NYRB) that Adu isn't in the starting lineup. But considering he wasn't selected to the gameday roster that day, you have to go back to June 30 (at Houston) to find the last time Adu came off the bench for the Union.
• Midfield mix. This is the first time Hackworth is fielding a midfield with his three best possession men, between Mike Lahoud, Gabriel Gomez and Brian Carroll. Since the midfield has been their weakness, it'll be interesting to see how aggressive the Union can (and likely will) be tonight, with that trio on the field at the same time.
• No Sheanon, no problem. Because Sheanon Williams is serving a one-game, red-card suspension, rookie Ray Gaddis will hold down the right back slot. It's Gaddis' ninth start of the season, but only his third since June 23 (vs. SKC).
• Cruz'ing up top. Danny Cruz gets a second consecutive start in the attack since being acquired by the Union. Hackworth's trying him up there with Jack McInerney. Maybe it'll spark more than the 0.833 goals per game (five goals) they've average in their last six league matches.