To say the Kansas City Wizards are befuddled by the MLS schedule makers would not be an understatement.
"I wonder what Ouija board they where using whenever they made the schedule up with us having the second week off and then five games in two weeks?" asked right back Nick Garcia.
The five matches, including three on the road with a coast-to-coast trip between the last two, have taken a toll on the Eastern Conference's second-place club. Confounding the situation has been the absence of two starters in vital forward Josh Wolff and steady-Eddie center midfielder Kerry Zavagnin due to U.S. national team duty.
No wonder, then, the Wizards' coaches decided to freshen up the squad with a dip in the pool after disembarking from the flight that carried them from Los Angeles to Boston.
"That's something we try to do when we're on the road like this. It makes it easier than finding a field, [etc.] I think it also gives you variety too - breaks it up a little bit," assistant coach Brian Bliss said of the water workout. "It's a good recovery method. I think the guys responded pretty well."
Whether the alternative training will help Kansas City sink or swim in the Saturday night battle to unseat the Revolution, who reign undefeated atop the conference with six wins and three ties, remains to be seen.
The Wizards are certainly motivated by their chance to cut into New England's lead, but their fatigue is having an impact on their play. Plainly said, the Wizards are looking for an edge. And Bliss thinks they've found a few.
"For the last couple of years, we seemed to get some decent results at [Gillette Stadium]. I think the guys realize that too," said Bliss.
And the statistics back up Bliss's contention. All-time, the Wizards are 6-4-1 at New England, and a sparkling 5-0-1 in the last five seasons.
"I think we've played more games minus our guys than they have. When you're winning as many games as they have, you tend not to change things. They have gone to maybe 14 [deep], where we've gone to 16 or 17," Bliss continued, referring to the fact that the Revolution will be without forward Pat Noonan and midfielders Steve Ralston and Clint Dempsey, who are also with the U.S. "So, we have a bit more depth created because we haven't won as many games and have changed things here and there. We're more battle-tested."
Coming off a nearly-muted offensive performance, a 1-1 stalemate with Chivas USA where their only goal was a 35 yard-ball intended as a cross from left back Jose Burciaga Jr., the Wizards need someone to inject some creative inspiration into the attack, especially in the crucial final third.
The timely arrival of their reserve squad in New England may provide the needed infusion.
"[Coach Bob Gansler, assistant/goalkeeping coach John Cone, and I] were talking a bit after the game about the eight or nine guys in that group who could come out and help. We talked about Preki and Khari [Stephenson] because that's where we're sputtering right now, that final third stuff," Bliss revealed.
Stephenson, holder of 10 caps with the Jamaican national team, has played a scant 28 minutes thus far in 2005 for the Wizards. His last appearance was May 7 versus FC Dallas. Similarly, the 41-year-old Preki has played a miniscule 18 minutes thus far with his most recent appearance being the last 12 minutes versus D.C. United on May 21.
An offensive jolt could also come from within the current starters as wide players Garcia, Burciaga, Chris Klein, and Alex Zotinca could find more freedom up the flanks in the absence of Ralston and Noonan.
"I think that's a strong possibility," admitted Garcia. "We need more offensive promise up top in making the most of our situation, so whether it's me or Kleiner or [rookie forward] Ryan Pore, we need to do a better job of being a threat up top and making the most of those opportunities."
If the Wizards can gain three points this Saturday, they will have an opportunity to become a first-place club with a victory at Arrowhead Stadium on June 11 when they take on the Revolution again.
So the schedule makers may have actually done the Wizards a favor by creating the back-to-back match-ups.
"Nonetheless, for it being our fifth game in two weeks, it's going to be a challenge, but I don't think we can use that as an excuse and say, 'Hey, we're tired. If we lose, that's acceptable,' because I don't think it is. We're chasing the top, and New England's up there," Garcia pointed.
Bliss believes the difference may be made in the performance of the players who are inserted for each team's missing parts.
"The difference is going to be the guys who can come in and replace those players," he said before clarifying. "Not that the guy who comes in to replace Kerry or replace Josh has to win the game, but it's how much they can contribute.
"Regardless, I think the game is going to be a roll-up-your-sleeves type game. [New England head coach Steve Nicol's] got the team playing well; they're fired up. And the guys replacing the players for New England are going to want to show well."
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
