|
|
MLS Playoff Preview: Kansas City Wizards v. Columbus Crew
Supporters’ Shield winners Columbus, led by their Argentina playmaker Guillermo Barros Schelotto, head to the intimate confines of the CAB to face the suddenly rolling Kansas City Wizards for the first time ever in the postseason.
Oct 31, 2008 1:23:21 PM
Kansas City Wizards v. Columbus Crew
When: 8 pm ET, Saturday, November 1
Where: CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, KS
TV: HDNet
The Gist: Kansas City hosts Columbus in the first leg of their conference semifinal series as they look to defeat the visitors for the first time this year. Both sides were extremely good at home all season. As a result, the pressure is on the Wizards to win and avoid the need to come from behind at Crew Stadium next week.
The Wizards find themselves as a wild card entrant to the playoffs for the second straight year. Last year they shocked Chivas USA and are looking to repeat that showing. The core of that team is back and the addition of Claudio Lopez makes this team better. “El Piojo” has come on of late, leading the Wizards on their current four game unbeaten streak.
Columbus lacks playoff experience as a whole, but has it in key places. Head coach Sigi Schmid is one of those spots and the scarfed one opted against resting his first team last week, which led to a win over D.C. United. The performance was anything but dominating. But results are what mattered at this time of year and that type of play put the Crew back on the right foot as they had been for the two previous months.
Why You Should Care (Other Than Because It's The Playoffs!): Kansas City should put on another good show in their last home game of the season. The Wizards are undefeated at the Ballpark in their last eight (they also defeated the Galaxy at Arrowhead Stadium), a streak that started after a 3-0 loss to the Crew in mid-June.
The offense is clicking at the right time for Curt Onalfo’s side, scoring three times in each of their last two games. Lopez is a key reason as he has strung together his best stretch of the year and is showing why the Wizards forked out Designated Player money for the Argentine. However, he needs help from Davy Arnaud pushing forward out of the midfield to compliment him in the attack. Midseason acquisition Abe Thompson is a serviceable second striker, but is a minimal threat against the league’s third best defense.
The Crew’s Argentine has done more than just string together a few solid performances. Guillermo Barros Schelotto led the league with 19 assists and will likely earn MVP honors. The Crew’s playmaker was hampered by a hamstring injury late in the season, but played the full 90 minutes against United and notched a goal and an assist in the two previous games. Jack Jewsbury will try to make things difficult for Schelotto, but will have to also contend with Brad Evans who scored the Crew’s lone goal last week on a cracker of a shot.
For Kansas City, they need to come out of the gates strong and play with the lead. Columbus can cope with a one-goal loss, but anything less than a win would all but end the hopes of the Wizards advancing to their second straight conference final.
Who's The Man Right Now? Claudio Lopez. The striker had two goals and three assists in his final two regular season games after failing to notch a point in over two months. Defender of the year candidate Chad Marshall will draw the responsibility of marking Lopez, whose only goal against Columbus came from the penalty spot, in the key battle of the series.
Prediction: Kansas City Wizards 2, Columbus Crew 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com
When: 8 pm ET, Saturday, November 1
Where: CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City, KS
TV: HDNet
The Gist: Kansas City hosts Columbus in the first leg of their conference semifinal series as they look to defeat the visitors for the first time this year. Both sides were extremely good at home all season. As a result, the pressure is on the Wizards to win and avoid the need to come from behind at Crew Stadium next week.
The Wizards find themselves as a wild card entrant to the playoffs for the second straight year. Last year they shocked Chivas USA and are looking to repeat that showing. The core of that team is back and the addition of Claudio Lopez makes this team better. “El Piojo” has come on of late, leading the Wizards on their current four game unbeaten streak.
Columbus lacks playoff experience as a whole, but has it in key places. Head coach Sigi Schmid is one of those spots and the scarfed one opted against resting his first team last week, which led to a win over D.C. United. The performance was anything but dominating. But results are what mattered at this time of year and that type of play put the Crew back on the right foot as they had been for the two previous months.
Why You Should Care (Other Than Because It's The Playoffs!): Kansas City should put on another good show in their last home game of the season. The Wizards are undefeated at the Ballpark in their last eight (they also defeated the Galaxy at Arrowhead Stadium), a streak that started after a 3-0 loss to the Crew in mid-June.
The offense is clicking at the right time for Curt Onalfo’s side, scoring three times in each of their last two games. Lopez is a key reason as he has strung together his best stretch of the year and is showing why the Wizards forked out Designated Player money for the Argentine. However, he needs help from Davy Arnaud pushing forward out of the midfield to compliment him in the attack. Midseason acquisition Abe Thompson is a serviceable second striker, but is a minimal threat against the league’s third best defense.
The Crew’s Argentine has done more than just string together a few solid performances. Guillermo Barros Schelotto led the league with 19 assists and will likely earn MVP honors. The Crew’s playmaker was hampered by a hamstring injury late in the season, but played the full 90 minutes against United and notched a goal and an assist in the two previous games. Jack Jewsbury will try to make things difficult for Schelotto, but will have to also contend with Brad Evans who scored the Crew’s lone goal last week on a cracker of a shot.
For Kansas City, they need to come out of the gates strong and play with the lead. Columbus can cope with a one-goal loss, but anything less than a win would all but end the hopes of the Wizards advancing to their second straight conference final.
Who's The Man Right Now? Claudio Lopez. The striker had two goals and three assists in his final two regular season games after failing to notch a point in over two months. Defender of the year candidate Chad Marshall will draw the responsibility of marking Lopez, whose only goal against Columbus came from the penalty spot, in the key battle of the series.
Prediction: Kansas City Wizards 2, Columbus Crew 1
-- Pat Walsh, Goal.com
Inside Goal.Com
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.
-
McCARTHY: Harrisburg springs its wildest Open Cup upset to date
The City Islanders fought back from three goals down with nine minutes to play and won the game on penalty kicks in a stunning game on a wild night for the U.S. Open Cup.