Unlike their previous match -- a 2-1 loss at Columbus on Wednesday -- the Kansas City Wizards should feel much more at home on Sunday. Yes, they will be playing at their own Arrowhead Stadium, but they will also be taking on defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo, a team that plays a similar attacking style of soccer.
"They play. It's going to be a great game. I have enormous respect for their coach and for the way they go about business," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo. "They are very good at pressuring the ball. They have an extremely potent attack, and they don't give up a lot of goals. That's a formula for a great team."
Yet there is a significant difference between the teams this season: the Wizards have been giving up goals. Overall, the Wizards have surrendered 17 goals in 11 games compared to Dynamo's 10 goals conceded in 12 games. Kansas City's attacking style, instituted this season by Onalfo's staff, could be an influence.
"Most of the good teams in the world learn how to defend with six or seven guys, and we just have to be better at recognizing danger," said veteran center back Jimmy Conrad, who will leave to play for the U.S. in Copa America after Sunday's game. "What's more frightening about the whole thing is the last six or seven games we've been down and we're always fighting to come back. Obviously, we're giving up goals because of that."
Add the trend of falling behind to Dynamo's current four-game winning streak, one where they have outscored their opponents 10-3, and the Wizards find themselves facing quite a challenge.
Still, the Wizards are always up for a challenge, especially when they possess the top attack in Major League Soccer. Although contained to a degree by a tightly-packed Crew defense on Wednesday, the Wizards have few worries about their potency.
"You're going to have games where you maybe don't click as well. ... I think we have a good chemistry. We just have to get it clicking again on Sunday," said right winger Davy Arnaud.
Where Arnaud and playmaker Carlos Marinelli play could be the key to a Wizards explosion in what should be a wide-open affair against Houston. Arnaud played wide right in the midfield and Marinelli paired with Scott Sealy up front against the Crew before being substituted in the 58th minute.
"When you play in the midfield you need to be really fit. Modern soccer is a game that you have to play on both sides of the ball, so there have been games where we played him as a second forward to get his legs," said Onalfo. "But at the end of the day, when he's 100 percent fit, he's our attacking midfielder. He'll be our most creative player."
With only three days rest, Marinelli might be used as the second forward again. Conversely, Arnaud could go up front, which would allow Marinelli to be the attacking midfielder while Sasha Victorine pushes wide. Either way, expect the Wizards to see more of the goal against freewheeling Dynamo, who have only two days' rest since their 4-0 win at home against Chivas USA on Thursday.
The match, set for a 4 p.m. CT kickoff (TeleFutura) and almost certainly played in the near-90 degree heat of the Kansas City afternoon between a pair of second-place clubs who thrive on success, should provide plenty of hot action on the field.
"I think it's a great matchup - two very good teams that like to play attacking soccer," said Onalfo. "We're looking forward to it, and I can't wait for the game."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
