For the second time in two weeks, the Kansas City Wizards find themselves going into a match against the New York Red Bulls, who they trail by one point for the top spot in MLS's Eastern Conference.
But just as they faced the first meeting with the Red Bulls at Arrowhead Stadium two weeks ago, and just as they faced the trip to New England to face the then-first place Revolution before that, the Wizards are not bothered.
In the 3-2 win in Kansas City on June 2, the Wizards overcame an eighth-minute goal by the Red Bulls' Juan Pablo Angel and took advantage of a 36th-minute red card to New York midfielder Clint Mathis to claim the win behind three goals from red-hot forward Eddie Johnson.
The ejection likely helped the Wizards get the win that night, but the club felt it was doing things right in the previous 35 minutes.
"Before he got the red card, I know they were up 1-0, but we were creating chances. We were getting our opportunities," said K.C. center midfielder Kerry Zavagnin. "It wasn't like we were getting played off the field. It would have been a bit closer of a game, not by score, but by the actual run of play [if Mathis had not been sent off]."
Going down early at home is ill-advised, but going down early on the road is often a clear harbinger of defeat. Odds are the Wizards will have to focus again on shutting down Angel -- who has seven goals in six MLS games -- if they want to avoid an early deficit.
"I think Angel is obviously a world-class player, and he showed it on the first goal. It was well taken -- [he] released it really quickly and didn't give anybody an opportunity to react," said Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. "That being said, I have a lot of respect for the guys in front of me. So, is he a handful? Yes. Do I think we can do a good job with him? Yeah, I think we can."
After a rash of injuries, the Kansas City back line was reunited in full the last time out against the Red Bulls, as were forwards Johnson and first-choice partner Scott Sealy, albeit for only 18 minutes. But now Johnson is with the U.S. national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, and the Wizards will look to Sealy and likely front running mate Davy Arnaud to put the ball in the New York net. Fortunately, Sealy feels his injury problems are behind him.
"It's been a long way for me, but I'm starting to feel sharp," said Sealy of his recovery from a high ankle sprain. "Saturday, I'm going to give it 100 percent."
The Wizards leading scorer from a year ago is comfortable with his role, confident in his ability, and feels no added pressure in Johnson's absence.
"Eddie is Eddie; I'm Scott. I don't think anybody expects me to do what Eddie does and vice versa," he said. "My job is to score goals at the end of the day. If pressure comes with doing that, then I guess I'm under pressure. It's the same as the last two years; I've been able to do it. I don't see why this year is any different."
Sealy believes the key to getting a result against the Red Bulls is clear.
"We have to do the little things well; that's what brought us the victory at home. We stayed connected, we pressed the midfield and we were able to get forward quick," he said. "They are definitely going to come out and attack us. We have to stay patient, compact in the midfield especially because that's where they want to make the plays with [Claudio] Reyna and then going into Angel. We have to stay compact, be aggressive going forward and put away our chances."
That's what Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo feels his team should be focusing on despite the motivating battle for first place and the priority of getting a result.
"We're really focused on doing things the right way. If you do that -- focus on your performance individually and collectively -- then, hopefully, the results go your way, the points go your way and you keep creeping up in the top of the table. Our next challenge is to try to do things right against New York on Saturday," Onalfo said.
The Wizards have had a rest since playing last on June 2 and are mostly recovered from the substantial and nagging injuries that have slowed key players. As they head to New York, which has had a similarly ravaged back line, Kansas City center back Jimmy Conrad is hoping for a full challenge from the home side.
"When I play against New York, or any team, I want to play their best team. I don't want to play a team where they have excuses," he said. "I don't want any excuses. I want to beat you with your best team. I don't want to beat you [when you have] built-in excuses."
Kickoff will see a Wizards side prepared to execute the right way against a challenging opponent and to be rewarded for it.
"Nobody picked us to do anything this year, so we definitely have a chip on our shoulder. We believe that one of the teams to get through to get to the top is going to be New York," Conrad said. "We're trying to put our stamp on things in the East, and we're not going to be walked over."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
