Having outplayed Chivas USA for much of the match last Sunday, the Kansas City Wizards looked to have wrapped up a point against one of MLS' strongest sides -- until Ante Razov was allowed space and time to pick out the upper left corner of goalkeeper Kevin Hartman's net in the 92nd minute for his second goal of the match.
That goal gave Chivas a 2-1 victory, and provided a very stark lesson in what can happen when a lack of defensive responsibility occurs. The Wizards are looking to first wrap up a playoff berth and get on a good run heading into the postseason, and those are the kinds of mistakes they are looking to limit, beginning Thursday night when they play host to the Los Angeles Galaxy.
"I thought we were very, very good in terms of defending for a long time in that game. We just lost Ante on two occasions. It's a little bit frustrating because we do put so much work into defending, and we have a really high line and we pressure, but we tend to give up pretty decisive opportunities," said Hartman. "Without a ton of speed, we have to look for some intelligence and 90 minutes of consistent thought processes and communication. We need to get everybody on the same page."
Said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo: "We had good numbers behind the ball, and [Razov's game-winner] just shouldn't happen. We were too slow to react and didn't have enough urgency to close down the ball and make sure that doesn't happen."
When the Galaxy come to Arrowhead Stadium, they are essentially facing their last chance to make the playoffs. They have said they almost need to win out if they are to qualify, after missing out for the first time in club history last year.
"We're going to continue to make it difficult on [the Galaxy], put them on their heels, and try to take the game to them," Onalfo said. "While we're doing that, actively knowing where Landon [Donovan] is [will help us] make sure that he is marked appropriately."
The Galaxy, sans David Beckham, do have other players who can hurt the Wizards. Like Razov, Donovan is the most likely candidate. Hartman will not miss having to face Beckham's dipping and swerving free kicks and his impeccable service, but is wary of Donovan's abilities.
"Donovan serves a good ball ... so the next guy they have in line is also fairly proficient at serving balls into the box," said Hartman. "If we're able to allow him not to face our goal and keep him searching for the ball back in the midfield and away from our goal, it's going to be to our advantage."
Donovan's speed is a concern with the high line the Wizards play, but Onalfo plans to hold fast to his team's tactical commitments.
"Certainly his speed is an issue, and you have to know exactly where he is all the time and make sure we get good pressure on the ball," he said. "But we're not going to change our tactics for one player."
The Wizards' starting 11 will replicate the one that performed so well most of the match against Chivas, with one exception. Eloy Colombano, who came on for the injured Ryan Pore in the 27th minute and scored the lone K.C. goal, will start up top with Eddie Johnson as Pore and first-choice strike partner Scott Sealy remain sidelined by injury.
While the Galaxy are hanging by a thread in the playoff race, the seventh-place Wizards come into the match trailing the New York Red Bulls by one point in the MLS overall table and are four and five points ahead of the Chicago Fire and the Columbus Crew respectively. For L.A. and the Wizards, the answer to coming closer to securing a playoff spot is simple: get three points Thursday night.
"We feel like we're playing very good soccer at this point going into the end of the season in crucial matches, and that was the plan all along. The [cooler] weather suits our high-tempo game, and we just have to have a little bit more sense of urgency," said Onalfo.
Added Hartman: "I look at [Thursday night] as an opportunity to grow as a club as we prepare for playoff time. If we're able to do it this week, that's great. If we put out an effort like we did against Chivas, hopefully that will be enough this time and we'll be able to put a couple more in and be in good standing."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
