After their 3-2 loss to D.C. United at RFK Stadium last Saturday, the Kansas City Wizards stand together on at least one issue.
"When you have a less than sparkling performance, we don't want a whole week to think about it and have it wear us down," said Wizards head coach Bob Gansler. "That's one of the things we mentioned after the game. I think everyone is in agreement -- we're looking forward to a quick Wednesday game."
However, the Wizards will have to try and rebound Wednesday against a MetroStars side that is undefeated in away matches this season without two of their usual starting 11. The sharpest point of their attack, forward Josh Wolff, and 2004 MLS Best 11 midfielder Kerry Zavagnin, both received belated calls into the U.S. national team camp for this weekend's friendly tilt with England in Chicago.
Likely buoyed by the return of cerebral midfielder and captain Diego Gutierrez who has been sidelined since April 30 after surgery on his knee to remove a bone spur, the Wizards will look to extend their home undefeated streak with fortification from their bench.
Rookie forward Scott Sealy should take Wolff's spot up front with Davy Arnaud. Sealy has two goals on the young season in limited play and hopes to make a strong impression in the significant time he should see Wednesday and Saturday.
"[Wednesday] is my opportunity to shine. I want to be able to help the team by holding the ball for the midfield to come into the attack for more numbers," said Sealy, who was not included in the Trinidad & Tobago national team squad for the most recent World Cup qualifying match. "I want to have an impact on the game."
Sealy, so far, has proven his nose for the goal. It was his finishing of a rebound off of United goalkeeper Nick Rimando that gave the Wizards a glimmer of hope for a tie in the last minutes Saturday.
"It's all about being in the right place at the right time. I consider myself a goalscorer, and I think I know where I need to be," he said. "It's about picking a time and being there."
Midfielder Jack Jewsbury is another one-time regular whose time has been limited lately. If Gutierrez starts Wednesday, Jewsbury could be on the out again, but no matter his situation, he is ready to make a positive contribution to what has been and up and down season for Kansas City.
"We try to keep our lows high and our highs low. We had a great game in Columbus where we won 4-0. Everyone was pretty excited about that, especially on the road. And then the next week things don't go so well in D.C.," said Jewsbury, who often provided a spark last season when the Wizards were injury depleted. "Hopefully we can jump on this game Wednesday and have another good one Saturday, and then we change the whole feel in the locker room."
The Wizards are currently in a three-way deadlock with Columbus and the MetroStars for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. All three play Wednesday. However, the Wizards and Metros hold one game in hand over the Crew.
These three teams, plus much of MLS, are still endeavoring to hit their stride at the quarter mark of the season.
"[The MetroStars are] pretty much a team like us -- good performance, lesser performance, good performance, so-so performance. We're going to see whose closer to consistency come Wednesday," said Gansler. "Not that it's necessarily a matter of misery loves company, but how many of the 12 teams feel like they're really consistent at this point?"
Two wins at home this week would do wonders for the Wizards as they are set to play three of the next four away after Saturday.
True to form, Gansler was at his proverbial best when discussing his team's Wednesday confrontation with the MetroStars.
"We believe the most important three points are those next ones and they are the only ones you can do anything about," he said. "Who knows what tomorrow brings? Take care of today."
As true as that may be, these two matches, taken as a whole, could set the stage for the middle months of the season when the Wizards are again likely to be hit with national team callups and the notorious Midwestern summer heat and humidity.
According to Jewsbury, two wins means, "a lot of confidence in the team, especially with Josh and Kerry with the national team.
One win and a tie means: "With two home games, that's not what we're looking for. We need to win at Arrowhead. Not totally disappointed, but would like better outcomes."
And two losses? "I think the locker room starts to get a little quiet," he said.
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
