Result…
2-0 victory on Sunday night against Chivas USA (7-13-4, 25 points) at the Home Depot Center
Table position…
Fourth place in the Eastern Conference on 30 points (8-9-6)
Three things to take away…
1) Kansas City is doing its part, but help will be needed to make the playoffs.
With seven games and 21 points remaining on the Wizards schedule, manager Peter Vermes team finds itself looking up at Colorado, San Jose and Seattle and needing some results to go their way in the next month. Seattle is up six points on KC but has played two more games. San Jose has a six-point advantage with seven games remaining. Colorado has a seven-point lead and six games left on their schedule. To be sure, Kansas City’s hopes are still kicking, but it’s pretty clear it will need a little assistance as well as inspired play the rest of the way to sneak into the postseason.
2) Postseason or not, this is a team nobody wants to face down the stretch home or away.
In the past two months, the Wizards can count victories against the Crew, Galaxy and Manchester United among the scalps they’ve taken during a 6-1-3 streak in all competitions that has revived their playoff aspirations. So even if Kansas City stumbles down the stretch or doesn’t quite get the help they need to play for MLS Cup, this is a team that nobody will be taking lightly along the way. Vermes’ high pressure system is beginning to pay dividends, especially away from home, and the Wizards truly believe that they can compete with – and beat – any team in the league on any day.
3) After shaking off the rust against Chivas, the Wizards should be ready for a tough week.
Despite playing a disjointed, often difficult to watch first half in Carson, Kansas City found a rhythm in the second 45 minutes to put the Goats away. But after having two weeks off, acclimating to game speed was always going to be somewhat of an issue. Now that the Wizards are back in the swing of things, the only remaining worry should be their legs as they play two more games this week against the Dynamo and FC Dallas.
Two players who stood out…
Forward Kei Kamara
With Kansas City controlling possession but having a hard time truly testing Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton, Kamara came through with one of the most impressive goals scored this year to secure all three points. As impressive as the final touch was, it was the quickness of thought that was really incredible. Kamara had turned and sized up the ball after heading it before the defender had time to react.
Defender Jimmy Conrad
Conrad admittedly had a nightmare game against Chivas the first time around, but the veteran was a rock for the Wizards in the rematch. He and Shavar Thomas locked down the center of the field and, along with the rest of the team, never allowed the home team time or space to craft dangerous opportunities.
One play that changed the game…
Kamara’s goal was the most spectacular, but Teal Bunbury’s second effectively sealed the points for the Wizards. It was the rookie’s third tally of the season and probably his most spectacular as Bunbury burst down the right side and calmly finished over Thornton with a well-placed shot to the back post.
Final verdict…
Game after game and result after result, the Wizards are piling up the points. Now comes the real challenge, continuing that momentum through the rest of the season. Beating Chivas was another step toward the final goal, but Kansas City knows it must keep this up to have any chance of playing in November.
Next up...
Wednesday September 22 vs. the Houston Dynamo (6-13-5). The Dynamo are 1-8-2 away from home this season, something that bodes well for the Wizards chances of continuing their current streak. Houston has endured a rough season and the playoffs are no longer a realistic goal, but that won’t stop Dominic Kinnear’s team from playing for pride. Kansas City faces a tough test, but every home game mandates three points at this juncture.
