When the Kansas City Wizards and Columbus Crew on Wednesday evening, they were two teams going in opposite directions. The Wizards had been at the top of the Eastern Conference all season long and were riding a four-game unbeaten streak, while the Crew were at the bottom of the East and hadn't won in seven games.
So the Wizards knew what was likely coming when they came to Crew Stadium: a tight, hard-fought affair. After a quiet first half, the Crew scored two second-half goals and held on for the 2-1 victory.
"Our hats are off to Columbus for playing well, and having a game plan that they stuck to," Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo said after the game.
After allowing just four goals in their first six games, the Crew had allowed 14 in their last five coming into Wednesday night. That, and a back line hit by injuries and international absences, led Onalfo to expect to see Columbus get back to basics and focus on their defense.
"When you play a team that drops off in defense like that you are going to have limited chances and we had the chances but did not finish," Onalfo said. "We had chances to put the ball in the back of the net and we didn't."
Early in the second half Sasha Victorine was all alone in front of goal, but somehow goalkeeper Will Hesmer -- who was with the Wizards last season -- was able to stop his former teammate.
"We created some chances, but I think they knew what their plan was and that was to play low pressure," said left back Jose Burciaga, Jr. "They really kept a man tight on me and that's a credit to them. They were trying to play to their advantage, but I still think we played well. We created some chances. Hats off to Will. I think he made a couple good saves for them that could have changed the game either way."
Onalfo was displeased with the second Columbus goal, scored on a Stefani Miglioranzi header from a free kick five minutes after Eddie Gaven had given the Crew the lead.
"The second was a set piece and in my mind that's unacceptable. We talked about Columbus and one of their biggest strengths is how they are on set pieces. To their credit, they did the job tonight," Onalfo said.
Both teams were missing key players -- Eddie Johnson for the Wizards and Frankie Hejduk for the Crew, both of whom are with the U.S. national team at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. As well, the Crew had three players with the U.S. under-20 national team.
"It is a big impact not having Eddie Johnson, one of our key players, here," said Burciaga, who netted the game's only goal in a win against the Crew at home about a month ago. "But at the same time we are good team, and we are not going to make excuses, we are going to look for solutions."
The loss was the first for the Wizards since May 12, but it once again showed how evenly balanced the league is.
"Like when you face every team in the MLS you have to be ready to roll up your sleeves and fight for 90 minutes and on any given day anyone can win," said Onalfo.
It will be a quick turnaround for the Wizards, who return home to take on Houston Dynamo on Sunday afternoon.
"We have to do our job on Sunday and get three points," said Burciaga. "Especially at home, we always want three points."
Nathan Linton is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
