Although the Eastern Conference standings show the Kansas City Wizards one point ahead of New York, Wednesday's home game against the Red Bulls might be Kansas City's toughest game of the season.
The Wizards have managed only a draw in two games against New York this season. And the Red Bulls are coming off their most impressive victory of the season, a 6-0 drubbing of Real Salt Lake on Saturday.
That victory shattered a five-winless streak that began after New York defeated Kansas City on July 22. It was also the first game in charge for Wizards interim coach Brian Bliss.
Bliss said New York would likely carry some momentum from Saturday's six-goal victory into the game against the Wizards.
"I don't care where you win 6-0, whether it's home or away or where your next game is, home or away," Bliss said. "You've got to be able to drag that with you. Because if you don't, maybe it was all for nought."
In that respect, the Wizards are in a similar situation after their 1-0 victory Sunday against FC Dallas. They want to build on that result and start separating themselves from the tightly packed Eastern Conference standings.
Only three points separate second-place Chicago from fifth-place New York. The Wizards are in fourth place with 29 points, two behind Chicago.
"We are starting to get results now," Wizards forward Scott Sealy said. "We have our backs against the wall because of the funk we were in the previous couple of months. So we have to grind. We know every game is important, every point is important. So we have to play like it."
And the Wizards did play like it on Sunday, limiting FC Dallas scoring chances and showing an ability to possess the ball without giving it away often.
"We have been stressing a little bit more in training the possession ends of things," Bliss said, "and how valuable the ball and not to give it away."
So the Wizards have an impressive victory to carry forward into their next game.
"After winning (Sunday) it kind of makes (the game against New York) that much more important now," Wizards goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi said. "Those three points will be huge on Wednesday and we're looking forward to taking them. I think we can take this victory tonight and ride into Wednesday with it."
Red Bulls forward Edson Buddle came off the bench Saturday to score three goals. Oshoniyi said he would certainly be a player to watch.
"But it ultimately comes through (Youri) Djorkaeff and (Amado) Guevara," Oshoniyi said. "If we can keep those guys in check and cut off the service to Buddle and (John) Wolyniec, we'll be in good shape. I think their back line can be got at and I think we have guys up top that can do it."
If the showdown does not end with a satisfactory results for either team, they will hook up for a fourth and final time on Oct. 14, the final day of the season, on the Red Bulls home field. By that time, it could be a do-or-die game.
"New York is probably the biggest game we will play all year," Sealy said. "They are an Eastern Conference team, they are up with us in points. We've got to play like it's a final."
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
