Guatemala's elimination from the Gold Cup in the quarterfinals last weekend has freed striker Carlos Ruiz to re-join his MLS team in time for a midweek match, but whether he plays much or if at all is known only by Coach Peter Nowak, reports Kerith Gabriel.

"The more options we have, the better we are," Nowak said. "It's always good to have options, and we have options right now. We can mix things up and create different looks and keep teams guessing."

The Union, which lost, 1-0, in Vancouver last weekend, plays at home twice this week: against Sporting Kansas City Wednesday, and Chivas USA Saturday. Recent signing Veljko Paunovic, a 33-year-old forward from Serbia, debuted in Vancouver alongside Danny Mwanga.

"It was good for him to start a game, and he had some good touches," Nowak said of Paunovic, who hadn't played competitively since 2008. "I think he is very promising. It's a matter of how he responds to the speed of the game. He's not match-fit."

Ruiz quashed rumors of a move to Mexico, rumors of which have been reported in outlets on both sides of the border.