On most nights, conceding a tying goal in the final 10 minutes of play would be cause for major disappointment.
But on the heels of a grueling string of five matches in 11 days, including spending the past week on the road, earning a point against Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center on Saturday night was an agreeable result for the Kansas City Wizards.
"It was very important to get a result," said Wizards coach Brian Bliss. "We took it twice on the chin in three days (consecutive losses to the Chicago Fire) and when you're on the road for seven days, I don't care what anybody says, it takes a toll."
The point was enough to move the Wizards past the New York Red Bulls for fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings. However, with only five points separating the sixth place and second place teams in the conference, it's clear that each point will make or break the Wizards' hopes of making it to the playoffs.
"Our division is tight right now and we needed three points but I'll take a point against a good team like (Chivas) any day," said forward Eddie Johnson.
Added Sasha Victorine: "We're in a fight right now like a lot of teams to try to make the playoffs and while we're not happy that we didn't win, you have to be happy getting a point and moving up the table."
After going ahead 1-0 courtesy of a Jose Burciaga Jr. free kick goal in the 42nd minute, it looked as though the Wizards would overcome tired legs and hold on to a much-needed victory.
However, the legs gave out and Jonathan Bornstein equalized in the 83rd minute, darting past defender Shavar Thomas and slotting a low shot past a diving Bo Oshoniyi.
"I was able to make a couple of saves to keep us in it and I wish I could have made the one to get us the three points but right now we'll take the point," said Oshoniyi. "At the end of a long road trip it's good to get a point."
The fatigue became apparent in the last quarter hour of the match as the Wizards were slow to loose balls and struggled to maintain possession as the defense fended off the pressing Chivas attack.
"In the second half we knew that Chivas would come hard and strong and they did," said Bliss. "They made us work very hard and we expended a lot of energy and unfortunately we weren't able to hold them off. Eventually you're going to run out of gas and that could very well have been a reason why the goal was scored but I commend my guys for the work they put in."
As the end of the regular season approaches, though, the fact that the Wizards have won only two of its last 14 matches is pressing on the minds of the team.
"You have to approach each game as a must-win from here on out," said Sasha Victorine. "You're always upset when you have a lead and you give up a goal late but when you're on the road you have to be happy with getting a point and we have to take that as a positive."
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
