KANSAS CITY, Kan. — MLSsoccer.com's beat writer in KC, Andrew Wiebe, checks in with his postgame report on just how the Wizards managed a scoreless draw against Toronto FC.
Result:
A scoreless away draw on Saturday afternoon against Toronto FC (5-4-2) at BMO Field.
WATCH: FULL MATCH HIGHLIGHTS; TOR 0, KC 0
Table position:
Sixth place in the Eastern Conference (14th overall), with a record of 2-5-3 and 9 points.
Three things to take away:
1) Jimmy Nielsen is the Wizards’ undisputed MVP through 10 games.
Anyone who doubted Nielsen’s ability to step in and be the man between the pipes for Kansas City seriously underestimated the “White Puma.” He saved at least two goals on Saturday against Toronto and has shown an amazing propensity to smother one-on-one situations with his face or any other body part he can throw in the way.
WATCH: NIELSEN SAVES...WITH HIS FACE
WATCH: NIELSEN DENIES DE GUZMAN
If the Wizards can start putting the ball in the back of the net with any consistency —they have scored just nine goals in 10 games—, Nielsen has shown he can make the plays behind them to start collecting points.
2) Mistakes are part and parcel in MLS.
Manager Peter Vermes has been saying it for weeks: watch any MLS match and there are bound to be a handful of mistakes on both sides of the ball.
So far this year, Kansas City have been punished when they’ve made mistakes and, more often than not, left their opponents’ mistakes unpunished. The Wizards couldn’t capitalize on Nick Garcia’s red card, playing only 30 minutes with a man advantage, but TFC were impotent as well thanks to Nielsen’s heroics. Vermes’ squad still needs to be more ruthless when it comes to punishing others, but keeping a clean sheet was a step in the right direction.
3) The streak started ugly, and it will have to end ugly.
This point is a repeat from last week, but it remains relevant after a dour, scoreless draw in Toronto.
Kansas City have a prime opportunity to ditch their winless streak on Thursday against Philadelphia at CommunityAmerica Ballpark before the World Cup break hits, but the narrow field at CAB will keep play congested and hectic. The Wizards already want to exert pressure all over the field at home, and the Union won’t exactly come looking to play beautiful soccer either. At this point, it’s all about results for these teams.
Two players who stood out:
Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen
See above. Nielsen is quickly establishing himself among the upper echelon of MLS goalkeepers. His shot stopping has been impeccable and, apart from one mistake against Real Salt Lake, Nielsen has made just about every save he's been called upon to make. If Kansas City’s defense ever rounds back into early-season form, the Dane should add considerably to his total of four shutouts through 10 games.
Midfielder Craig Rocastle
Rocastle has shown brief flashes of the ability and combativeness that prompted Vermes to sign him during the offseason, but the silly foul that eliminated the Wizards’ one-man advantage was misconceived by any definition. Sure, he probably didn’t deserve the first yellow he received but, like Davy Arnaud the week before, Rocastle needed to understand the situation and the repercussions that a second yellow would trigger.
One play that changed the game:
A defensive breakdown allowed Dwayne De Rosario to send Jacob Peterson free down the right flank in the eighth minute, but Nielsen charged off the goal line to make his second spectacular save with his face this season. It’s become a habit with the Danish goalkeeper, although probably not one he would like to continue. Nevertheless, Nielsen’s save kept the Wizards from falling in another early hole that they didn’t really look capable of climbing out of.
Final verdict:
A draw may have been somewhat of a wasted opportunity, but leaving Toronto with a result is something only Kansas City has done this season. The fact remains that the only thing that matters from here on out are results, and the Wizards got one point even if it didn’t come in style.
Next up:
Thursday, June 10, vs. the Philadelphia Union (2-6-1).
Win this one and Kansas City can stop answering questions about their nine-game winless streak in all competitions and head into the break with some momentum.
If they lose to the Union, the Wizards will have some serious self-examination to do during their downtime. In many ways, this is a must win for Vermes’ men.
