For the Kansas City Wizards, their opponent on Wednesday night, Real Salt Lake, is a real threat in their bid to maintain contact with the top eight in the Major League Soccer standings. Any other perception is just asking for trouble.
Real have only two wins on the season, fewest of any club in MLS. However, their wins came against D.C. United and Houston Dynamo, both at home. As well, they have recently suffered one-goal defeats to the New England Revolution and Chivas USA, both at or near the top of their respective conferences. They also tied Boca Juniors and beat Everton FC 2-0 in late-July exhibitions.
"They're still trying to prove themselves, prove that they are not as bad as their record appears. They always give a tough game at their place. They have great fans, so they never want to let them down. It's going to be a tough test," said Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad. "We're well aware that when they get confident and get a rhythm that they can be quite dangerous."
The danger RSL will provide is already well-known to Kansas City, who lost 2-1 at Rice-Eccles Stadium in an Open Cup play-in match on April 14. Adding to the challenge is the Wizards' schedule, which gave them 17 days off after their August 2 game with New England and then hit them with their current stretch of four games in 11 days.
"[At least] we're not the [Los Angeles] Galaxy. That's the best way to look at it," said Conrad.
The coaching staff's training techniques have gone far in keeping the Wizards fit, thus they will be ready to hit Real Salt Lake with the drive needed to gain the full three points. Case in point -- the Wizards' first-half play at Chicago last Saturday.
"On Saturday, even though we [had played] three games in a row, the first half we were flying," said right-winger Davy Arnaud, who will not play at Salt Lake because of suspension after yellow card accumulation.
Even though the Wizards eventually lost the match 2-0, their first-half control of possession and the pace of play was of the promise the team holds.
"I felt like we played an unbelievably good first half against Chicago, and that's what I want to build on," said head coach Curt Onalfo.
A similar early domination of Real Salt Lake will only be effective if Kansas City is able to put one or two into their host's net.
"At this point, if you get an early goal on them, they get down on themselves, and that's when you have to take advantage. The longer the game goes 0-0, the more confident they get," said Conrad.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
