Good preseason preparation helps, but there are other reasons the Kansas City Wizards have won all three games to begin the season. On Sunday, the Wizards will try to remain the only team in MLS to take maximum points from every game this season when they take on FC Dallas at Pizza Hut Park.
"I think we have good players. At the end of the day that's usually what gets it done. We have been put into a system that tries to accentuate our strengths," Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin said. "I think, compared to the other teams in the league, we have gotten off to a head start just by the mere fact that we have good players here."
The Wizards head to Frisco, Texas, for their second away game of the season aware that their opponents have something going for them as well. FC Dallas has two victories and a draw in their first three games, making them the fourth consecutive team the Wizards have faced without a loss.
"They play soccer on both sides of the ball," Wizards coach Bob Gansler said. "They are attack-minded. They are going to battle you for 90 minutes. At home they have a little extra zip."
By winning their first three games, the Wizards will not have to look back later in the season and wonder why they did not get off to a good start.
"It's a long year. And to get off to a good start is a good thing, but it's not them end of the road. We need to continue on a do the things we are good at and we'll be OK," Zavagnin said. "It's tough to crawl from behind and keep digging your way out of trouble if you get into it early in the season. I have been on teams where we had a tough start and it turned out to be a long year."
Like the Wizards, FC Dallas have top-notch players sprinkled around the field. Defender Greg Vanney, midfielder Ronnie O'Brien and forward Carlos Ruiz are the top trio for the Hoops. Ruiz is listed as probable this week after missing last week's game with a right hamstring strain.
Vanney's long passes from the back, O'Brien's ability to distribute and take on defenders from the midfield and Ruiz's physical strength in the penalty area are just three of the things the Wizards will have to try and stop, Gansler said.
"Those are the Big Three but obviously the other people can beat you or keep you from beating them," Gansler said. "(Ruiz) can create his own shot. He can utilize the service of others of any kind. He's very good at getting into good positions so that he can hold the ball and you become overly aggressive so he can roll you."
Zavagnin is likely to cross O'Brien's path more than once in the game.
"His early service behind defenses is probably the best in the league," Zavagnin said. "So, we have to cut off his service early. But he has a few different ways he can hurt you."
Two of those different ways are an accurate shot from long range and the ability to run at defenders with the ball and get by them. Playing good team defense is one way of stopping O'Brien and any of the FC Dallas players.
"I can recall that he had the run of the park against us the last time he was here," Zavagnin said. "It will be a challenge, but we are playing good team defense at this point and if we continue on our way we're going to be all right.
The Wizards should have all hands ready for the game. Defender Jimmy Conrad is still listed as probable with athletic pubalgia but played 90 minutes last week.
"As we come together as a team and try to iron out some of the things we were deficient in the first three games," Zavagnin said. "I think we are going to continue to improve and continue to be successful."
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
