RSS
ATOM
advertisement
MLS Preview: Kansas City Wizards v. Columbus Crew
The Wizards finally get another home game after an extensive road swing that saw them earn just five points in half a dozen games, while Columbus’s hot start recedes further into history.
Jun 13, 2008 7:20:46 PM
Kansas City Wizards v. Columbus Crew
When: 8 pm ET
Where: CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, KS
The Gist: Columbus was one of KC’s destinations that led to a loss on their six-game road trip as the Crew jumped out to a two goal and one man advantage in the first half and never looked back. However, Columbus heads to the Ballpark in poor form, dropping three straight in all competitions. The lone positive out of their midweek Open Cup loss was the fact that they scored a goal. The Kansas City defense has been suspect at times, despite the regular presence of Jimmy Conrad, and the Crew’s offense could regain its form that put them atop the Eastern Conference early in the season.
Why You Should Care: The two teams feature impressive Argentine offensive players: Guillermo Barros Schelotto for Columbus, Claudio Lopez and, to a lesser extent, Carlos Marinelli for the Wizards. However, the trio have disappointed of late.
Marinelli will likely be on the bench from the start and only used as a sub should Kansas City need a goal. Lopez has just two goals since arriving, although one of those did come against the Crew in their previous meeting. The Louse needs to start linking up with Davy Arnaud, who is desperate to get off the schnide, if the Wizards are going to have any life in attack.
Schelotto for his part has not recorded an assist in his past four games, which coincides with the Crew’s current winless streak. With defenders Chad Marshall and Frankie Hejduk missing this game, Columbus will find themselves in the rare spot of having to outscore the opponents should their defensive replacements not be up to the task.
He’s So Hot Right Now: Emmanuel Ekpo. The Nigerian midfielder has size and pace that could put the Kansas City defense on their heels all night. Ekpo scored in the Crew’s loss to Chicago in the Open Cup qualifier and could start on the right side of midfield. His attacking mentality makes him an ideal target for Schelotto.
Prediction: Kansas City Wizards 2, Columbus Crew 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com USA
When: 8 pm ET
Where: CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, KS
The Gist: Columbus was one of KC’s destinations that led to a loss on their six-game road trip as the Crew jumped out to a two goal and one man advantage in the first half and never looked back. However, Columbus heads to the Ballpark in poor form, dropping three straight in all competitions. The lone positive out of their midweek Open Cup loss was the fact that they scored a goal. The Kansas City defense has been suspect at times, despite the regular presence of Jimmy Conrad, and the Crew’s offense could regain its form that put them atop the Eastern Conference early in the season.
Why You Should Care: The two teams feature impressive Argentine offensive players: Guillermo Barros Schelotto for Columbus, Claudio Lopez and, to a lesser extent, Carlos Marinelli for the Wizards. However, the trio have disappointed of late.
Marinelli will likely be on the bench from the start and only used as a sub should Kansas City need a goal. Lopez has just two goals since arriving, although one of those did come against the Crew in their previous meeting. The Louse needs to start linking up with Davy Arnaud, who is desperate to get off the schnide, if the Wizards are going to have any life in attack.
Schelotto for his part has not recorded an assist in his past four games, which coincides with the Crew’s current winless streak. With defenders Chad Marshall and Frankie Hejduk missing this game, Columbus will find themselves in the rare spot of having to outscore the opponents should their defensive replacements not be up to the task.
He’s So Hot Right Now: Emmanuel Ekpo. The Nigerian midfielder has size and pace that could put the Kansas City defense on their heels all night. Ekpo scored in the Crew’s loss to Chicago in the Open Cup qualifier and could start on the right side of midfield. His attacking mentality makes him an ideal target for Schelotto.
Prediction: Kansas City Wizards 2, Columbus Crew 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com USA
Advertisement
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Milan striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certainly no Mr. February
The Swedish striker traditionally struggles in February. Facing a three-match ban this month, the jinx looks set to continue.
-
DEMPSEY'S DIARY: Playing in the World Cup was the ultimate dream
In his latest diary entry for Goal.com, the U.S. international and Fulham midfielder talks about playing in his first World Cup despite a back injury and what it meant to score.
-
ROGERS: Capello resigns as coach, but the villain is FA chairman Bernstein
Capello and John Terry are far from blameless in the England saga, but the real culprit is the FA chairman.
-
LABIDOU: Is MLS falling behind? The league's new younger direction
With high-profile players like Nicolas Anelka and Luca Toni rejecting MLS for other developing leagues, is the league falling behind its competition?
-
POLL: Should Copa America 'Vanishing Spray' be introduced globally?
The spray, which has been designed to stop defensive walls from encroaching closer than 10 yards to the ball at free kicks, is set to be discussed at next month's IFAB meeting.
Advertisement
Advertisement