KANSAS CITY, Mo. — For the first time since early July, Wizards veteran Jimmy Conrad will have someone other than Shavar Thomas to his right.
Thomas is currently with the Jamaican national team for a friendly against Caribbean rivals Trinidad and Tobago on Sunday. Manager Peter Vermes will likely pick between Matt Besler and Jonathan Leathers to partner Conrad in central defense in a game that could decide Kansas City’s season.
“I think anyone they decide to play next to me is someone I have some game experience with so it won’t be somebody completely new and fresh,” Conrad said. “We’ve been playing the same style all year. Everybody has been speaking the same language as to how to play the position. I don’t think there will be much of a drop off.”
Vermes, who declined to name a starter, pointed out that the roster is 24 players for a reason and expressed confidence in other players’ ability to pick up where Thomas left off.
“I look at it as an opportunity for a guy to step up and show that he deserves to play or that he’s grown,” Vermes said. “Now is his opportunity to show that he can play. So whoever we put in there has to come to play and be ready to do the business. I can see someone stepping up and doing well. I feel confident in that.”
Smith trains but status not certain
Ryan Smith was a late scratch last weekend against the Red Bulls with a right hamstring strain, but the speedy winger has been back in training this week.
Vermes, however, said a decision will likely not be made regarding his status for this weekend until after Smith participates in more intense training
“He’s been OK for the last couple days,” Vermes said. “Time will tell.”
Either way, Vermes doesn’t seem too preoccupied with the possible absence of the team’s leading assist man with a fit and on-form Josh Wolff performing well as a substitute of late and turning in a good performance last weekend against New York.
“He gave a real pause to our team when we needed it on the ball,” Vermes said. “He held up the ball really well. The great thing was that we still had a lot of danger in our team when he stepped in. A lot of weapons were still firing.”
Vermes bringing Bunbury along slowly
Even though Teal Bunbery didn’t find the back of the net, many Wizards fans were thrilled to see him get the start last weekend. But Vermes reiterated this week that Bunbury is not now a fulltime starter, preferring to use Bunbury only when it’s beneficial for the player and team.
“He got in all the right positions to get chances so he had more than enough to put one away,” Vermes said. “As I’ve said before, not only will be bring him along in the way that we feel is best for his progress but matching him up against certain teams is also important.”
Bunbury has 10 starts this season and 13 appearances as a substitute, scoring four goals and dishing out one assist.
