With each passing game, the challenge to maintain their playoff position and create momentum heading into the postseason is seemingly getting tougher for the Kansas City Wizards.
With only four wins in two months and two losses so far on a three-game road swing, the Wizards, remarkably, remain in control of their playoff destiny. But as they journey to Houston for a Saturday encounter against the Western Conference leaders, their dangerous trends are veering towards habits.
Team defense has been a concern all season. Not only have the Wizards given up 14 goals in their last seven matches, the Wizards have the third-worst goals against average in MLS, ahead of only the Los Angeles Galaxy and Toronto FC. More worrisome is the recent trend of giving up goals at crucial junctures. In their recent home-and-home series with Chicago, then Wednesday night at Real Salt Lake, the Wizards gave up goals within five minutes of the halftime break.
"It's a concentration thing," said Wizards center back Jimmy Conrad after the 3-1 loss in Utah in which they also surrendered a goal only 40 seconds in. "If we want to reach the goals we set at the beginning of the season, those things have got to stop."
Something the Wizards have put a stop to is playing a complete 90-minute game. A strong second half a week ago at home against Chicago was enough to salvage a 3-2 victory, but a strong first half last Saturday at Chicago was voided by a poor second in K.C.'s 2-0 loss. At Real Salt Lake, a two-goal concession in the first half overshadowed a better second half.
Head coach Curt Onalfo has tried to shuffle the lineup. He has inserted little-used midfielder Kurt Morsink and defender Ryan Raybould into the lineup, ousting right back Jack Jewsbury and, even after a return from suspension, Argentinean playmaker Carlos Marinelli. The immediate on-field results have been a mixed bag. After the win against Chicago, Onalfo lauded Morsink.
"Morsink was excellent. For a young player, he's extremely savvy. He understands when to play the ball, when to keep it," Onalfo said.
Still, bright spots remain for the Wizards. Right midfielder Davy Arnaud will return to the lineup in Houston after sitting out his yellow card suspension. The team's offensive juggernaut last scored on July 29 in a 3-2 home win against Chivas USA, but he has often come close since.
"I think I've hit both posts and the crossbar in the past two games," said Arnaud. "That's the way it goes. Hopefully later they start going just the other side of the post -- that would be nice."
Finding the back of the net against Real Salt Lake was once red-hot forward Eddie Johnson. The 23-year-old tore up MLS early in the season, scoring nine goals in the first nine games. Previous to scoring his 13th of the season Wednesday, Johnson hadn't scored since July 22 in a 2-2 home draw with Colorado.
"I think I've had three or four shots on goal in the last five games and that comes from a lack of confidence from not scoring," said Johnson after the match. "A goal like that definitely gives me confidence in front of the goal."
Adding to the Wizards' viable offensive options has been recent acquisition Eloy Colombano, who has played well off the substitutes' bench in the last two games. Against Salt Lake, Colombano came on in the 46th minute, replacing midfielder Kerry Zavagnin. Lining up on the right flank, Colombano meshed well in the midfield with Marinelli and Morsink.
Two keys for the Wizards the rest of way could be finding the right combination of players as well as putting all the facets of the game together that have frustrated them of late -- tight marking and timely tackles blended with cohesive attacking play and finishing.
To achieve their goal of making the playoffs -- and the secondary goal of having positive momentum going in -- Onalfo set a goal of 16 points in the club's last 10 games. That now reads 13 points in seven games, beginning with Saturday in Houston.
"Houston has proven themselves to be one of the better teams in the league, and we're anxious to see how we compare to them as we progress to become a better team each game," said Onalfo.
The talented Dynamo are a tough team to begin getting well against, but Onalfo knows it is what his team needs.
"You have to be able to beat playoff teams if you want to make the playoffs and advance in the playoffs," he said.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
