Last weekend's 2-1 loss to visiting FC Dallas, in which the Kansas City Wizards went out without the needed fire and concentration, taught them that they must always be on their game. A 4-1 record and being on top of the Eastern Conference, at the time, means little between the lines.
"Dallas played very well, but I think we came out with a chip on our shoulder thinking we had already accomplished something," said Kansas City technical director Peter Vermes. "Up until last weekend, we were 4-1, and the record for the Wizards a year ago [when they missed the playoffs] was 4-0-1. It's a long season in MLS. You can never step on the field at any MLS venue and think you've already won the game because maybe some [people] have told you you are playing really well. That's just not going to win you games."
Saturday, the Wizards will visit the Colorado Rapids and Dick's Sporting Goods Park for the only time in 2007. The Wizards have won two of their three road games, but they are fully aware that this Colorado side carries a lot of punch and is gaining momentum after its 1-0 victory last Sunday against the New York Red Bulls.
"They do a good job of playing an attacking type of soccer where they put you on your heels and do a good job of keeping the ball. They have a team that is well put together," said Wizards' head coach Curt Onalfo.
The Wizards coaching staff has been addressing the first half lull against FC Dallas this week citing a need for the players to "roll up [their] sleeves" -- meaning the players are looking to be more prepared for the Rapids, who, like the Wizards, hold second place in their conference.
"I just think it's in your preparation. ... Not to get complacent is the one thing, not to think it's going to be easy when you go out there just because you're doing well," said rookie Michael Harrington. "Mentally you have to prepare yourself to go out for battle."
Left midfielder Harrington is certainly ready to battle in Denver because the field at Dick's Sporting Goods Park is the widest in the league at 80 yards. The extra space plays right into his game.
"I've always loved the big fields. Whenever I hear that we have a big field coming, it's always great for me. That's just my game - using the width, staying wide and having as much space as possible to isolate myself one-on-one to get crosses in," he said. "I'm really excited about the field. I've heard it's really nice. It's always awesome going to the soccer-specific stadiums; it's always a much better atmosphere and experience."
The Wizards have gone to extra lengths to prepare themselves for the width and the tactics it requires.
"We actually had our practice facility resized today to prepare for it," Onalfo said. "It means when you get the ball you really need to do a good job of keeping it and really spread the ball, which ends up requiring the other team to do an awful lot of defending. And certainly there is space wide."
Seeing the whole field and being especially tactically aware are both critical.
"You just have to know what the game's dictating. Sometimes you're not going to be able to go, go, go all the time; the space isn't going to be there or whatever," Harrington said. "You just have to know whether you should press forward and go on the counterattack quickly or slow it down, switch the point of attack, switch the field, or try to attack a different way."
The Wizards are blessed with strong offensive players at the four wide positions in their 4-4-2 formation: Harrington and Davy Arnaud wide in the midfield, and Jose Burciaga Jr. and Jack Jewsbury at left and right back, respectively. But only one is a rookie.
"He's a player who doesn't really play like a rookie; he's a young player who plays with a lot of confidence," said Onalfo of Harrington. "What I love about Michael is that he tries to make an impact almost instantly. That was a trend he had in preseason. ... He's really added a dimension to our attack on the left side."
The vigor and aggression of these wide players on the extra wide field will be a telling sign. Harrington already has the right mentality and his sleeves rolled up despite the many encounters he will have on the wing with Colorado's Terry Cooke, the MLS leader in assists last season.
"I've heard he's a good player. He has some assists under his belt this season," said Harrington. "I'll go at it as I would go at anyone else. I'll try to make him adjust to my game and try to make him worry more about me than I am about him."
That attitude could win the day for the Wizards.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
