The Kansas City Wizards head into their Saturday battle with new conference rival and one-time arch nemesis Chicago Fire as a team that has failed to take full advantage of recent opportunities.
In back-to-back encounters with the Eastern Conference-leading New England Revolution, the Wizards took only one of a possible six points, mainly due to a lack of finishing chances, at least in last Saturday's 2-0 home loss.
Aiding the Wizards arsenal in Chicago will likely be rookie forward Scott Sealy, who has recovered from a right hip flexor injury that kept him out of last Saturday's match.
"I practiced [Wednesday]. It felt pretty good, so hopefully by Saturday I'll be ready to go," said Sealy. "I think it should be fine, it's up to coach whether he has the confidence to put me in. But it's frustrating just to be out."
Looks of frustration dotted the Kansas City locker room after various players hit shots that struck the post or crossbar, or were denied by the Revolution's Matt Reis on Saturday.
"When your confidence is down, sometimes the goal looks smaller. You just want to get the ball on target, but you are still trying to beat the 'keeper. It takes a little bit of luck too," said Sealy. "It's just a matter of continue to take your shots, continue to get chances, and soon one will go in."
Added Wizards captain Diego Gutierrez: "I guarantee you no forward wants to waste a chance; everybody wants to put the ball on target, everybody wants to score. You might be concentrated, but if your form is out of whack, it's not going to get in. Your form might be good, but if you're not concentrated or you're not confident while striking the ball, it's not going in.
"I'm just a fan of forwards gaining confidence and making it difficult for goalkeepers and defenders to predict what they're going to do," he said. "I think we have the right personnel to do it - we just have to execute."
Historically, the Wizards have been unable to execute effectively in Chicago as the Wizards have lost all nine games in the Windy City. Even at home, the Wizards have a losing record against the Fire with five losses in 11 matches, winning four.
Gutierrez played four seasons with the Fire and knows what they have going for them.
"I can only speak for three years of failure up there, but I can tell you that it stems from a team being prepared and taking the field to get three points at home. That's what we encounter every time when we've played them up there and that was the case when I was there as well," said Gutierrez, a part of the Fire's 1998 MLS Cup-winning side.
"I think they are one of the few teams who takes advantage of being at home and getting the crowd into it. They really support their team, and it makes a difference. I have really fond memories of the fans up in Chicago," he said. "Having been on both sides of the fence, it's very good to play when they are behind you and it's very difficult to play when they are against you."
The fact that the Fire are probably still smarting from Wednesday's 4-3 capitulation to D.C. United after holding a lead at two different points of the match also will work against the Wizards, not to mention Chicago's stable of talent.
"One of the guys they've added that I think has done pretty well for them is [Brazilian midfielder] Thiago. There's a guy that moves around quite a bit. He's pretty good in tight spots. He serves a nice ball," Gutierrez said. "And every time you talk Chicago, you've got to talk Justin Mapp just because of his speed and what he represents when he's playing out wide. And now it seems like [striker Nate] Jaqua's caught fire and found his scoring form, so we're going to have our hands full. But, at the same time, so will they."
Kansas City will have to continue creating plenty of chances if they want get away with a result in the match that will be featured on MLS's Soccer Saturday broadcast on ESPN2 at 3 p.m. CT, and getting a win is foremost in their minds.
"We're not thinking about [the losing streak in Chicago] at all. We will continue to approach every game as if it's a game we can win because they really are," said Gutierrez. "They haven't won anything because of what history shows. We will be ready to try and take the three points.
"I'm somewhat superstitious, but I also believe destiny is in your own hands."
If the Wizards' can finish, they will likely take care of their own business.
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
