Although the MLS Cup Playoffs are still weeks away, the last half-dozen games for the Kansas City Wizards are a good glimpse into the atmosphere surrounding postseason, do-or-die matches.
The Wizards' struggle to make the playoffs has made each game an epic struggle in a quest for points. That struggle continues Saturday with a home game against Real Salt Lake.
"Basically, the last six games for us have been a playoff-type situation," Wizards interim coach Brian Bliss said.
Prior to two weeks ago, the Wizards had played more games than the teams in contention for the four playoff spots in the Eastern Conference. Now every team is on the same number games, making playoff math easier to do.
Kansas City is two points ahead of New York for the fourth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with three games to play. Catching New England, five points ahead of the Wizards, will be more difficult.
Real Salt Lake are also fighting for a playoff spot in the Western Conference and is fifth, three points behind fourth-place Colorado.
In order to slow down Real Salt Lake, the Wizards will have to account for forward Jeff Cunningham, the leading goal scorer in MLS with 16.
"I absolutely don't think that any players can play against Cunningham and any teams can play against Real Salt Lake without accounting for him," Bliss said. "He has 16 goals, but he also has double-digit assists (10), which is extraordinary."
Real Salt Lake also features an offensive force familiar to the Wizards, midfielder Chris Klein. Traded by the Wizards to Real Salt Lake in the offseason, the 30-year-old Klein has kept up the production he had with the Wizards during most his eight seasons with the club.
"He has had five goals in the last seven games," Bliss said. "We know him very well and have to be aware of him. When he left here, he was right around the six-, seven- and eight-goal mark (in a season). It's a credit to Chris. He is a year older but hasn't slowed down physically nor has a he slowed down on the production end. He's a good professional."
Bliss will have to shuffle his four defenders a little bit. Nick Garcia will be serving a one-game suspension for too many yellow cards. But Jimmy Conrad returns and will probably pair with Shavar Thomas in central defense.
"This year, with Jimmy missing some games, there is enough understanding from they played before this year that they should not miss a beat," Bliss said.
Defensive midfielder Kerry Zavagnin is still out through injury. Jack Jewsbury has taken Zavagnin's place before and may be called upon again.
Although a victory is important, the result of New York's game will also figure into the playoff chase.
"Obviously, we have to take a look at what New York does," Bliss said. "At the end of the day, it could be a situation where we don't get hurt (in the standings). On the psychological end, it would be disappointing (not to take the three points). I'm not saying because Real Salt Lake is poor, I'm saying it because we are playing pretty darn well at home."
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
