MLSsoccer.com's Andrew Wiebe will break down the Wizards’ season in three-match blocks during the Major League Soccer regular season. Consider this the third of 10 quick glimpses into Kansas City’s season, each of which will play a critical role in the team’s quest to return to the playoffs.
Position
Sixth in the Eastern Conference (2-5-2, eight points)
Last three
March 15 vs. Chicago Fire – 2-2 draw
May 23 vs. Columbus Crew – 1-0 defeat
May 29 at Real Salt Lake – 4-1 defeat
Next three
June 5 at Toronto FC (5-4-1, 16 points)
June 10 vs. Philadelphia Union (2-5-1, seven points)
June 26 vs. New York Red Bulls (5-5-0, 15 points)
Player to remember…Davy Arnaud
As newly-crowned captain, the eight-game winless streak the Wizards are currently mired in has affected Arnaud more than most.
No one in Kansas City gives more when it comes to pure effort, and manager Peter Vermes’ decision to award the arm band to Arnaud seems well placed. But with two red cards in eight matches – Arnaud missed out on the D.C. United defeat after being ejected against Houston – the veteran midfielder has to find a way to stay on the field.
Both ejections have been questionable in their own right, but Kansas City simply can’t afford to go without their captain in times like these.
Watch: Arnaud ejected vs. RSL
Player to watch…Pablo Escobar/Matt Besler
Despite solid stretches of play from both, miscues from both in the back have made the competition to partner Jimmy Conrad wide open.
Mentally, Besler seems to be the choice while Escobar is more impressive in the air and has more explosive speed. Kansas City’s defensive shortcomings have been well documented for the last few months, and one of these two needs to establish themselves as the No.1 option to bring a little continuity to the back line.
Two things that went right…
1) The World Cup break is nearly here.
I cheated a little bit on this one, but there just aren’t a whole lot of positives to take away from a stretch in which Kansas City was outscored seven goals to three and collected just a point from nine available.
With so much work to do to turn around the squad’s current form, the World Cup couldn’t have come at a more opportune time for manager Peter Vermes. If the Wizards could somehow collect four points (or an improbable six points) at Toronto FC and against the Philadelphia Union in the next two weeks, they could reclaim some much-needed momentum and reemerge after the break with some pep in their step and a healthy Stephane Auvray back in the mix.
2) Josh Wolff got on the score sheet.
Wolff’s goal against RSL gave hope to a side that has been spinning its wheels since April. Unfortunately, Davy Arnaud’s red card in the 82nd minute and Robbie Russell’s ensuing goal extinguished any chance to sneak away with a result.
Still, the veteran had been frustrated by the lack of scoring opportunities coming his way, and finally getting that crucial first tally should help Wolff’s confidence. He was a streaky scorer last season, and Kansas City has to hope that trend will repeat itself this year.
Two things that went wrong…
1) Just about everything that could.
The Wizards haven’t won in eight games across all competitions (seven regular season and one Open Cup game), and that streak is beginning to wear on the coaching staff and players.
After a staunch start to the season defensively while the attack sputtered at times, Kansas City has had a difficult time doing much of anything on either side of the ball for the last two months. Suddenly, the team’s two victories to start the season seem like ancient history, and the Eastern Conference leaders are beginning to pull away.
2) Stephane Auvray was forced into surgery.
It’s no coincidence that Kansas City’s defensive breakdowns started coming in waves when Auvray’s knee began bothering him. The discomfort eventually resulted in arthroscopic surgery that will force him to miss another week at the very least and more likely delay his return until after the World Cup break.
Graham Zusi has been a serviceable replacement, but he isn’t yet a week-to-week MLS starter. Jack Jewsbury and Davy Arnaud played in deep-lying positions against RSL, but neither is the midfield anchor that Auvray was before the injury. Without the Guadeloupe captain bridging the gap between defense and midfield and closing down passing lanes, the Wizards also allowed seven goals in their last three games after giving up only one in the season's first four contests.
Looking ahead…
It’s still fairly early in the season, but the next two games will play an enormous role in the Wizards’ quest to return to the playoffs.
It’s no secret that Kansas City desperately needs points. Four points seem possible, if not probable, from matches against TFC and the Union. No matter what, taking a 10-game winless streak into the break would be crippling.
If Vermes’ side can find a way to get a victory in Toronto or at home against Philadelphia, that could be the spark that begins to turn things around in Kansas City. If that doesn’t happen, the Wizards will have 16 days to repair their psyche and prepare for a long, hot summer ahead.
