MLS Preview: Kansas City Wizards v. Real Salt Lake

Kansas City Wizards v. Real Salt Lake
When: 8 pm ET
Where: CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, KS

The Gist: Kansas City returns home for just the second time since April with hopes of putting in a better performance than the 3-0 thrashing they suffered at the hands of Columbus two weeks ago. They welcome one of the many poor road teams in MLS, as Real have won just once in six road games, scoring only four goals in the process.

However, RSL are riding a five-game unbeaten streak, the longest currently in the league, while the Wizards have not won in seven consecutive games. With the wacky 2008 season where seemingly anything can happen, could this be the time for Kansas City to end their winless ways?

Why You Should Care: Real have been a pleasant surprise this season. They outplayed MLS’s best, New England, last week at home in a come-from-behind 2-1 win to extend their unbeaten streak. Javier Morales was again dangerous in the Royals attack, though he will likely not have the speedy Robbie Findley (concussion) in front of him.

Kansas City have disappointed of late after a strong start. They were able to eke out a scoreless draw in Toronto last week, but cannot continue to be outplayed as they were at BMO Field and expect to keep earning results.

A tactical change could be in the works as Claudio Lopez may move to the midfield, which would allow the Argentine legend to get more touches on the ball. With the lack of offense out of the Wizards -- they have been shutout in five of their last nine games, including a 0-0 draw with RSL two weeks ago in Utah -- something needs to be done.

How Lopez does defensively is another matter. He will likely go against Andy Williams or Kyle Beckerman, and though the Jamaican is an offensive threat and the dreadlocked Beckerman can be dangerous at times, it will not be as difficult an assignment as marking a speedy midfielder like New York’s Dane Richards or Houston’s Corey Ashe.

He’s So Hot Right Now: Javier Morales. The Argentine playmaker has been dangerous both in the run of play and on set pieces for Real. Shutting down Morales, who was dominant against New England, has to be a top priority for the Wizards.

Prediction: Kansas City Wizards 2, Real Salt Lake 1

-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com