As the Kansas City Wizards head into their clash with the Eastern Conference-leading New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on Saturday evening, the numbers tell part of the story. Two wins, one loss and one draw are the results on the road for the Wizards in 2007 -- while over their last four games, they have produced only one goal per match.
The numbers reveal a team that is tough on the road and good in tight matches, but also a team that is struggling a bit on the attack. One goal is likely not to be enough for a positive result against the high-octane Revolution, who have scored four and three goals in their two home matches.
Kansas City midfielder Sasha Victorine believes a number of things have contributed to the Wizards recent drop-off in offensive output despite creating plenty of chances.
"Our set pieces aren't as good as we want them to be, so it's a lot harder to get multiple goals in games ... [and] having a guy like Scott Sealy out right now hurts. He's an extra guy who is good around the goal finishing things. Those are some of the things the past few games we've had trouble with," Victorine said.
Sealy is recovering from a high ankle sprain that has kept him out of five of the Wizards' seven matches, and the recent absences of center back Jimmy Conrad and playmaker Carlos Marinelli have hampered the Wizards' efforts on set pieces. Marinelli is likely to see time in New England to help the Wizards add to an impressive set of numbers: their extremely successful record all-time at Gillette Stadium of four wins, four ties and no losses over the last five seasons.
If that record is to remain spotless, the Kansas City midfield will have to play a large role in containing the Revolution's consistency and pattern of play.
"They are an extremely well-coached team. If you look at their lineups, they've [earned 17 points in eight games] ... with all sorts of injuries and adversity. And they've played good teams on the road, so they're just rolling," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.
"They have a very clear way of play. It's really all about getting the ball wide and getting service into the box for [Taylor] Twellman and [Adam] Cristman, and they're very effective. They move extremely well as a team defensively and offensively and have arguably the best goalscorer in Twellman, who can just consistently put the ball in the net."
After last week's 1-1 draw in Colorado, center back Nick Garcia said last year's MLS assist leader, Terry Cooke, was given a bit too much space to operate. Even though Cooke was kept off the score sheet, Victorine and the rest of the Kansas City midfield will have to up their efforts this week as they face Revolution right winger Steve Ralston, who currently leads MLS with six assists.
"Whenever you talk about teams that score off crosses, there are two aspects of it: the crosser and the guy who is on the end to finish it," Victorine said. "Our marking in the box has to be good, but just as importantly, our ability to close down service has to be good. Those are things we've been practicing all week."
The back line, featuring a banged-up Garcia and rookie Aaron Hohlbein (replacing the injured Conrad) in the center, will have to command the area to keep Twellman from adding to his league-leading six-goal total.
The Wizards have been successful on the road this season, standing up to a strong D.C. United attack, a determined Toronto FC, and a solid Colorado Rapids squad on their large field. Now the next step is to continue that in a place where they have history on their side.
"We have to keep doing some of the things we've been doing well and improve some other things," said Victorine. "We know it's an important game. ... But it's going to be a tough game, so you go into the game wanting three points and at least wanting to come out with a point."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
