KANSAS CITY, Mo. – My, how times have changed for the Wizards.
Sixty-nine days ago, Kansas City were reeling. Chivas USA had rolled into CommunityAmerica Ballpark and had walked away with a 2-0 victory courtesy of a couple costly defensive errors and lackluster finishing by the home team.
In the locker room after the game, with their playoff hopes nearing extinction, the players’ spirits were as low as they had been all season. Heads were down and voices were low.
WATCH HIGHLIGHTS: Wizards lose to Chivas in July
“What kills belief and what makes you get down on yourself is when you play well and have nothing to show for it,” veteran Jimmy Conrad said. “I think we ran into a few of those games, and we still had to figure out what kind of team we were. Since that Chivas match, we’ve really been on our way.”
As Kansas City prepare for the return match against Chivas on Sunday in Carson, Calif., they find themselves at a completely different juncture than what they faced following that loss in July.
Since losing to the Goats, the Wizards have lost only once in eight games, winning four and drawing three against some of the toughest competition in MLS. In the process, the belief and the confidence that had seemingly been sapped came back even stronger than before.
Now, manager Peter Vermes’ team is thinking playoffs — and if they can leave California with a result and follow that up with solid performances against Houston and FC Dallas, there’s no reason to think that goal isn’t within reach.
"The guys believe in themselves as players and as a team,” Vermes said about the change in the attitude surrounding his team in recent months. “I think our work ethic is better. Staying confident in what our qualities are and our style of play has been a real positive for us. With good performances have come good results, and now it's about consistency."
That lack of consistency was on display in Kansas City’s loss to Chivas the first time around. Defender Shavar Thomas was in just his second game with the team after arriving via trade from Philadelphia, and the team had managed just one victory in its last 11 league matches.
And if, as it’s often said, adversity brings out the best and the worst in teams, the Wizards would be a prime example of the former.
"You see it with every team in the league,” forward Josh Wolff said. “They hit a lull, and it's just about when it hits. We bounced out of that lull pretty well, and I think we have a pretty good idea about how we want to play."
Unlike in their last meeting, Kansas City will bring a proven plan with them to the Home Depot Center on Sunday. The Wizards will pressure the Goats, forcing the issue with high pressure that has beaten both the Galaxy and Crew.
But, most importantly, Kansas City will bring belief. Belief in themselves, their teammates and the style of play that has got them this far.
"The guys just feel like they can go anywhere and get it done," Vermes said.
