As the Kansas City Wizards return to action following a long layoff for the second time in a month, they hope their reaction this time around will be better than the last.
On Aug. 19, the Wizards were coming off a 17-day layoff when they played host to the New England Revolution. Their performance that evening was one to forget as the Wizards never found their groove in a 1-0 loss.
So when the Wizards take on the Columbus Crew on Saturday night -- their first game in 12 days after last week's bye -- it won't be for first place in the Eastern Conference, as the Wizards have lost ground in the standings since that Aug. 19 game.
But it will be for some playoff assurance. Only five points separate Kansas City and Columbus in the playoff race, with the Wizards holding onto the seventh of eight qualifying spots. Also five behind are the Colorado Rapids, with the Chicago Fire clinging to the final available spot, four points back with a game in hand. Clearly, the Wizards cannot afford another poor performance coming off their latest layoff.
"Everyone knows it's a big game with us and Columbus in the standings," said Wizards right back Jack Jewsbury. "A good week to prepare with no game last week gave us a chance to sit down and think about things. It was a good week of preparation. We're excited and ready."
Aiding the Wizards cause will be a watered-down lineup for the Crew. Influential Argentinian midfielder Guillermo Barros Schelotto and U.S. international right back Frankie Hejduk will miss the match because of yellow card accumulation suspension. Those absences, combined with the possible absences of defenders Chad Marshall and Rusty Pierce due to injury, will likely further a marked difference in playing style between the two clubs.
"One team -- [Columbus] -- that prides itself on defending, not sending a lot of numbers forward, and countering, and another team -- [Kansas City] -- who likes to take risks and send numbers forward. Two contrasting philosophies in approach to the game," said K.C. head coach Curt Onalfo.
The importance of Saturday's match for the Wizards makes one wonder if they approached training during this layoff any differently to assure the needed rhythm to their play come Saturday night.
"We think we have," said Onalfo. "But you just never know. We had an intersquad [scrimmage] on Saturday. We try to keep the rhythm as much as possible."
Midfielder Davy Arnaud believes the need for a result on Saturday will take care of any concerns over play.
"We're in a little bit of a different situation now because we're really in crunch time with the last six games of the season," he said. "All the guys realize the importance of the game Saturday, and I don't think [coming out flat] will be an issue like it was earlier."
In the five matches over a 14-day stretch before their latest layoff, the Wizards struggled to maintain a consistent level of play which led to gaining only four points through one win and a draw. Onalfo fiddled with his lineup during the stretch for a few reasons.
"You're trying to get results and trying to manage minutes, so it was combination of all that, and also, a combination of certain guys maybe not playing to their potential as well," he said.
Usual starter Jewsbury was one who spent some time on the bench during the stretch.
"It's competitive out [in training]. Guys are trying to get their chance and prove their worth. ... I'm back in [the first 11] now, just trying to prove every day and every game that I deserve to be in the starting lineup," he said.
"Intensity-wise things have been there all year. That's something the coaches instilled in us from the preseason, and it's continued all year. That's one of our strong points. Everyday in training, everyone is getting pushed."
With the competitive intensity high within the club and attention given to sustaining the team's rhythm, Onalfo and his staff feel they are covering all the necessary angles to prepare the Wizards for Saturday and the last handful of games that follow.
"It's not like things are done that much differently," Onalfo said. "Maybe there is a little bit more attention to detail because of the importance of the games at the end, but it's really a similar approach that we've had all year. We haven't deviated from what we're doing."
Hopefully, the approach will result in a consistent flow to the play of a well-rested side come Saturday, a side that competes on their game turf like they do at training.
"There's no two ways about it," said Onalfo. "This is a really important game for our team."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
