just the second time in MLS history that had happened -- as Richie Williams was still in charge of the Red Bulls until after the All-Star break, while Brian Bliss was in his first game in charge of the Wizards after the midweek resignation of Bob Gansler, the longest-tenured head coach in MLS history.
The game's lone goal came in the 25th minute. Marvell Wynne sent Seth Stammler free on the right flank, and drove in a rolling cross where Mike Magee got it ahead of a defender to stab it home inside the near post. It was the third consecutive victory by shutout for New York -- the first time that's happened since the inaugural season of 1996 -- and for the Wizards, a seventh consecutive loss.LAST MEETING
On August 30 at Arrowhead Stadium, neither team could hold onto the lead before settling for the share of the points. The Wizards took the lead in the 28th minute when a long ball out of the back was flicked on, and Scott Sealy ran onto it before cruising in alone on Tony Meola, slotting the ball underneath the Red Bulls 'keeper as he came off his line.
But just two minutes later the Red Bulls pulled level through some magic from Amado Guevara. The Honduras international skipped through a Wizards defender and around 'keeper Bo Oshoniyi in close quarters in the area before pulling a pass back for John Wolyniec to gleefully pound into an unguarded goal.
Then eight minutes after the restart -- after a couple of tremendous saves from Oshoniyi -- the visitors pulled ahead. Youri Djorkaeff whipped in a cross from a short corner and Todd Dunivant rose above substitute Tyson Wahl at the back post to head home the go-ahead goal.
Yet the Wizards leveled the score in the 71st minute. Sasha Victorine set Jose Burciaga Jr. free in the left corner, and he pulled back a rolling cross that Josh Wolff turned home from the heart of the area to leave both teams in the same place they were at the start of the night.
Here's Bliss's team (4-2-1-3): Bo Oshoniyi - Matt Groenwald (Alex Zotinca 74), Nick Garcia (Tyson Wahl 11), Shavar Thomas, Jose Burciaga Jr., Kerry Zavagnin, Sasha Victorine - Davy Arnaud - Scott Sealy, Eddie Johnson, Dave van den Bergh (Josh Wolff 54). [Substitutes Not Used: Will Hesmer, Jack Jewsbury, Will John, Ryan Pore]
Here's Arena's team (4-4-2): Tony Meola - Marvell Wynne, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Todd Dunivant - Dema Kovalenko, Danny O'Rourke, Youri Djorkaeff (Chris Henderson 74), Amado Guevara - Edson Buddle (Jordan Cila 46 / Steve Jolley 94+), John Wolyniec. [Substitutes Not Used: Blake Camp, Jon Conway, Taylor Graham, Joe Vide]
NEW YORK RED BULLS
The New York Red Bulls have two wins and two draws in their last eight games following a 1-1 draw with the Colorado Rapids last Saturday in Denver. The Red Bulls have 36 points from 31 games, good for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, their two-point deficit to the Kansas City Wizards leaving them in need of a victory Saturday to clinch a postseason berth for a fourth consecutive season.
LAST MATCH
The Rapids returned home for their final regular season ever at Invesco Field at Mile High following a winless three-game road swing, while the New York Red Bulls knew they couldn't secure their playoff future, but with a victory could ensure they would need just a point from the season finale.
Yet it was the Rapids who got off to a dream start. Hunter Freeman launched a long ball downfield, and as he was trying to hold Carlos Mendes, Colorado striker Thiago Martins went to ground in the area. But with referee Brian Hall playing advantage, Jacob Peterson came racing from behind, collected the ball and slotted home past Jon Conway for the opener.
But the Red Bulls drew level on the hour mark. From a throw-in, the ball pinged around between players before Amado Guevara latched onto it, dribbled into the Colorado penalty area and lashed home a dipping drive inside the far post.
Red Bulls head coach Bruce Arena made one change to the team that defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 the weekend before. Marvell Wynne was suspended, so Peter Canero took his place at right back, his first start since April 15.
Here's Arena's team (4-4-2): Jon Conway -Peter Canero, Carlos Mendes, Jeff Parke, Seth Stammler - Danny O'Rourke - Dema Kovalenko, Amado Guevara, Chris Henderson (Markus Schopp 58) - Josmer Altidore, John Wolyniec (Edson Buddle 46 / Mike Magee 69). [Substitutes Not Used: Todd Dunivant, Taylor Graham, Tony Meola, Joe Vide]LAST MATCH
A year ago, the then-MetroStars traveled to The Home Depot Center, needing to defeat Chivas USA to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs for a third consecutive season. Goalkeeper Tony Meola had a remarkable performance, making 12 saves in all, and goals from Michael Bradley and Amado Guevara sent the Metros into the postseason with a 2-0 victory.
This year, the Red Bulls face the same situation, only it will be on their home ground. "It's a do-or-die situation for us and we all want to make the playoffs," said forward John Wolyniec. "We're going to need as much support as possible so hopefully, we get a good crowd out there to spur us onto victory."
The Red Bulls have been calling on their supporters to provide a real advantage at Giants Stadium. "The crowd will be the 12th man," said goalkeeper Jon Conway. "With a good crowd, lots of energy and if we're doing well, we'll be putting some pressure on them and hopefully, we can ride the tide of the crowd and their energy and get a victory."
Said assistant coach John Harkes: "I think it's always important when you have good support behind you, especially now when it comes down to a do-or-die situation. This Saturday, we've got a great opportunity presented to us to take fate in our own hands being at home."
For Red Bulls boss Bruce Arena, it will be a simple recipe for success on Saturday. "To win a game, I've got this figured out after 30 years of coaching - you've got to score a goal. Or, the other team has to score one for you and I'm not counting on that," Arena said.
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
The Kansas City Wizards extended their modest unbeaten streak to three games, responding to a late penalty with one of their own for a 2-1 victory against Chivas USA at Arrowhead Stadium last Saturday. The Wizards now have 38 points from 31 matches, their two-point margin against the New York Red Bulls meaning they need only a draw at Giants Stadium to return to the MLS Cup Playoffs after a one-year absence.
LAST MEETING
In what could be the final ever MLS game at Arrowhead Stadium, the Wizards hadn't lost in three games, though they knew for sure their playoff future would come down the final game of the year. Chivas USA had a four-game unbeaten streak ended in a loss to the Los Angeles Galaxy the week before that again narrowed the West race.
After an expectedly tight first 45 minutes, the Wizards pulled ahead after the break. Jose Burciaga Jr. flighted in a free kick from the left and Dave van den Bergh rose up to head it home inside the left-hand post for his second MLS goal (50).
The teams traded penalty kicks three minutes apart. In the 71st minute, Nick Garcia tripped up Jonathan Bornstein in the area, and Claudio Suarez converted from the spot to tie the game.
But Wizards striker Josh Wolff was fouled in the area by Jason Hernandez, and while Chivas 'keeper Brad Guzan got a hand to Burciaga's penalty, he couldn't keep it out. It was the eighth goal of the season for Burciaga, most in MLS among defenders.
Wizards interim head coach Brian Bliss made one change to the team that played to a 3-3 draw with Real Salt Lake the weekend before at home. Nick Garcia returned from suspension to re-take his place in the back four, replacing Shavar Thomas, on international duty with Jamaiac.
Here's Bliss's team (4-4-2): Bo Oshoniyi - Ryan Raybould, Jimmy Conrad, Nick Garcia, Jose Burciaga Jr. - Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury, Sasha Victorine, Dave van den Bergh (Kerry Zavagnin 81) - Josh Wolff, Scott Sealy (Yura Movsisyan 71). [Substitutes Not Used: Matt Groenwald, Will Hesmer, Ryan Pore, Sergei Raad, Tyson Wahl]
"Just for the sake of the confidence and the physiological factor, three points is tremendous," Bliss said. "It's a confidence booster for us before we go to New York. It's just a belief that we've got something going here, and that was probably most important in these three points."TEAM NEWS
It's a very simple equation for the match at Giants Stadium: A win or a tie sends Kansas City to the playoffs. "We know what we have to do," Burciaga said. "We put ourselves in a hole, but everybody can see the talent. Hands down, we've underachieved. Guys are serious about that and we feel that if we can get into the postseason, we're going to make a run at it."
Since taking over the Wizards, Bliss has seen the Wizards win four and draw six in his 13 games in charge. "I think we have played well since I've been in charge here," Bliss said. "I can't recall one game where we walked off the field and said 'geez, we got it handed to us today.'"
A crowd of 15,878 turned out for the last regular-season game at Arrowhead. Chivas had an ample contingent of fans, adding to the atmosphere.
"The last two home games have been well attended," Bliss said. "They are behind our guys and we feel there's almost a 12th-man type of thing. Give Chivas credit, too. They travel well. Wherever they go on the road, they draw some fans just because of the Chivas name, which is good for the league. I think our guys responded to it as well because it gave the game more atmosphere than what we've had in some earlier games."
The Wizards players have noticed the crowds, too. "They have everybody enjoying the fact that we are going to be staying in town, and everybody's there to support us. We expect good things, the fans expect good things, and the ownership group expects good things," Nick Garcia said. "You have to think that with our move into a temporary site, and into the future to a new stadium, the people here are really excited and it's good to have people behind us."
The results going their way means the Wizards can get to the postseason simply by not allowing a goal to the Red Bulls.
"I think Ryan Raybould, Nick (Garcia), Jimmy (Conrad), and Jose (Luis Burciaga Jr.) did a great job [against Chivas]. Our midfield stayed compact, and kept us organized in there. I thought all in all, defensively, we were sharp tonight," said Bo Oshoniyi. "We were on the ball, we were quick to every ball, we won second balls, and we did our job. Then, we were able to get some goals. It was a pressure penalty kick finish, and we were able to get the 2-1 victory. Like I said, we can build on it and move onto New York and get a result out there."
Forward Eddie Johnson will not be available for Saturday's match because of a team-issued suspension. He was not an available substitute for the Chivas match, and this week Bliss said he will be suspended "until the end of the season." Said the Wizards boss: "I can confirm he won't play this weekend. ... It's unfortunate, because he's a heck of a talent."
As far as any postseason appearance, Bliss told the Kansas City Star: "I haven't thought that far ahead, to be honest," he said. "The words I used were to the end of the season. You can interpret that any way you want. Is it the end of the regular season or does it run through the end of the playoffs? At this point, I just don't know."
