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MLS Preview: Kansas City Wizards - D.C. United
Kansas City hosts D.C. United in a clash that could affect who sits on top of the Eastern Conference, as two of the MLS original teams meet for the first time this season.
May 6, 2009 3:44:05 AM
Battle For Supremacy
The first meeting of 2009 between the Kansas City Wizards and D.C. United is a chance for the winner to take control of first place in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer. D.C. currently sits on top of the conference with 12 points from seven games, but Kansas City is well within striking distance, with 10 points from seven games.
As for current form, United is coming into the game with two successive victories, having beat New York 3-2, and Dallas 2-1 in their past two games. Kansas City did not play last week, after having two games the week before, in which they beat New York 1-0 and then lost to Toronto FC 1-0 days later.
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
Starting last season, Kansas City moved from Arrowhead stadium, to the cozy CommunityAmerica Ballpark, which, as a home to a minor league baseball team, boasts the smallest field in MLS. This has seemed to help Kansas City, which tends to go with a more direct attack. In the 17 MLS games played there in 2008 and 2009, Kansas City has only lost three.
On the other hand, D.C. is used to the comfortable dimensions at RFK Stadium, and for the most part, the team utilizes the entire space of the pitch. It will be up to United to be able to adjust to the smaller pitch accordingly. The only team this season that has been able to score against Kansas City in Kansas, Toronto FC, is also the only team to have beaten KC at home this season. An opening goal for United might then just be enough to help them past a stingy Kansas City team.
Rookies and Old Guys
After struggling through 2008, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2002, United looked to rebuild over the winter, in order to renew its charge for another MLS Cup. And while United dropped some big names, such as Marcelo Gallardo, after the 2008 season, it replenished the squad with an old name, Christian Gomez, as well as some rookies from the draft.
While some of the veterans have already had an impact this season, it's the new guys who are making the headlines thus far. Both first round draftees Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace have started every single game this season for United, and have both contributed goals and assists to the club.
Players To Watch
Kansas City - Davy Arnaud. Arnaud is personally responsible for a third of the goals the Kansas City has scored this season. His three goals put him near the top of the goal scoring charts in MLS. All three goals have been from a long distance, so if the opportunity arises tomorrow, look for him to try shots from distance.
D.C. United - Santino Quaranta. After missing the first couple of weeks with an injury, Quaranta has worked his way into the United lineup, and has played an integral part in their recent run of two wins. He has played as a forward, a winger, and as an attacking midfielder -- and usually all three during the course of a game. Look for his contributions to be more subtle, he's more likely to contribute to buildup than to the finishing of chances.
Prediction
United is coming into the game with two victories in two games. But with the small field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City should be able to limit the attacking variety of D.C. United. Last year, in the two meetings, the home team won 2-0 each time. Look for a similar result tomorrow.
Kansas City 2-1 D.C. United
Steven Streff is a Goal.com contributor
The first meeting of 2009 between the Kansas City Wizards and D.C. United is a chance for the winner to take control of first place in the Eastern Conference of Major League Soccer. D.C. currently sits on top of the conference with 12 points from seven games, but Kansas City is well within striking distance, with 10 points from seven games.
As for current form, United is coming into the game with two successive victories, having beat New York 3-2, and Dallas 2-1 in their past two games. Kansas City did not play last week, after having two games the week before, in which they beat New York 1-0 and then lost to Toronto FC 1-0 days later.
CommunityAmerica Ballpark
Starting last season, Kansas City moved from Arrowhead stadium, to the cozy CommunityAmerica Ballpark, which, as a home to a minor league baseball team, boasts the smallest field in MLS. This has seemed to help Kansas City, which tends to go with a more direct attack. In the 17 MLS games played there in 2008 and 2009, Kansas City has only lost three.
On the other hand, D.C. is used to the comfortable dimensions at RFK Stadium, and for the most part, the team utilizes the entire space of the pitch. It will be up to United to be able to adjust to the smaller pitch accordingly. The only team this season that has been able to score against Kansas City in Kansas, Toronto FC, is also the only team to have beaten KC at home this season. An opening goal for United might then just be enough to help them past a stingy Kansas City team.
Rookies and Old Guys
After struggling through 2008, and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2002, United looked to rebuild over the winter, in order to renew its charge for another MLS Cup. And while United dropped some big names, such as Marcelo Gallardo, after the 2008 season, it replenished the squad with an old name, Christian Gomez, as well as some rookies from the draft.
While some of the veterans have already had an impact this season, it's the new guys who are making the headlines thus far. Both first round draftees Chris Pontius and Rodney Wallace have started every single game this season for United, and have both contributed goals and assists to the club.
Players To Watch
Kansas City - Davy Arnaud. Arnaud is personally responsible for a third of the goals the Kansas City has scored this season. His three goals put him near the top of the goal scoring charts in MLS. All three goals have been from a long distance, so if the opportunity arises tomorrow, look for him to try shots from distance.
D.C. United - Santino Quaranta. After missing the first couple of weeks with an injury, Quaranta has worked his way into the United lineup, and has played an integral part in their recent run of two wins. He has played as a forward, a winger, and as an attacking midfielder -- and usually all three during the course of a game. Look for his contributions to be more subtle, he's more likely to contribute to buildup than to the finishing of chances.
Prediction
United is coming into the game with two victories in two games. But with the small field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City should be able to limit the attacking variety of D.C. United. Last year, in the two meetings, the home team won 2-0 each time. Look for a similar result tomorrow.
Kansas City 2-1 D.C. United
Steven Streff is a Goal.com contributor
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