Result: A 2-2 draw on Saturday night against the Chicago Fire (2-3-3) at CommunityAmerica Ballpark
Table position: Tied for fifth in the Eastern Conference on eight points (2-3-2) with the New England Revolution
Three things to take away ...
1) Kei Kamara has been vindicated. It was eerie how similar the two chances were, a true chance to put the now-famous miss completely behind him. This time Kamara finished, earned a critical point and walked away with two goals. It was a just reward for a player who has worked hard on both sides of the ball this year, even if he is in the running for century-worst miss. Now, the challenge will be to continue to run of form that has him third in league with five goals.
2) The defense is springing leaks. It’s safe to say we aren’t seeing the best of Pablo Escobar recently. Escobar inexplicably drifted a few yards deeper than his line mates on the Fire’s first goal, allowing Marco Pappa to sneak in and find Julio Martinez at the back post. The Colombian just doesn’t look confident right now after an impressive start. Brian McBride’s second goal was more of a collective error, and something has to change soon. Kansas City went from defense being a strength to allowing seven goals in three games.
3) Things could be worse. Sure, the Wizards are winless in their last five games. Yeah, the defensive errors are beginning to stack up. But it’s easy to forget that it’s still relatively early. This is a team with many new parts and a completely new system. It’s going to take a little more time and a little more luck. Consider this: The Red Bulls have scored the same amount of goals (8) and allowed one more than the Wizards (9) but have 15 points. All it takes is a couple breaks, but those need to come sooner rather than later.
Two players who stood out …
Forward Kei Kamara: Quietly, Kamara already has five goals this season through seven games, one less than his previous career-high set last season. Barring his legendary miss against Los Angeles, he’s found a way to be in the right place at the right time. The Wizards needed someone to provide a spark on Saturday and Kamara stepped up to the task admirably. It’s safe to say the 25-year-old has cemented himself at the top of the Wizards’ attack for the foreseeable future.
Forward Ryan Smith: The Fire marked Smith closely in the first half, but the shifty winger was a game-changer in the second 45 minutes. He set up the opportunity that led to Kamara’s first goal and was a constant menace to the Chicago back line with his pace and footwork. Smith brought the best out of Andrew Dykstra and was unlucky not to walk away with his second goal of the season.
One play that changed the game …
Davy Arnaud’s goal was called back just before halftime. Arnaud collected the ball at the top of the box following a corner kick and stuck a drive inside the far post, but Wilman Conde was down injured in the penalty area. Michael Kennedy blew off the play and disallowed the goal to prevent the Wizards from leveling the match going into halftime.
Final verdict …
Realistically, a 2-2 result flatters Chicago in many ways. The Wizards outshot the Fire 18-8 and earned 11 corner kicks to the visitor’s one. Statistics aside, Kansas City can only blame themselves for not walking away with three points. Two soft goals meant the night ended in a comeback draw instead of a bounce-back victory, leaving Vermes’ side without a win in its last five games.
Next up ...
Sunday, May 23 vs. Columbus Crew (4-0-2). The Crew are once again showing why they have owned the Supporters' Shield the last two seasons. Columbus are undefeated so far and relying on defense to get the job done. Tipping things slightly in the Wizards’ favor is the fact that both draws have come on the road. Kansas City need to get three points to keep the victory drought from reaching six games, but it won’t be easy against this Crew team.
