The LA Galaxy game today at Community America Ballpark will be the fourth game Kansas City has played this season. After running wild on opening day against the hapless DC United, and beating the Colorado Rapids the Wizards finally lost to an extremely late goal on the road in Seattle. If you had thrown having six out of a possible nine points at the success starved Wizards fan base prior to the season it would probably been greedily accepted however given the good start hopes have been raised and so have expectations.
All of a sudden there are whispers amongst the fans, of this game today being must win. We have to win it to remain in contention for the Eastern Conference title. I could not agree less. Wins are of course good but winning against the best teams in MLS or any other league is not what wins you titles, they are the bonus points if you can get them. The silverware comes when you are consistent enough to beat the remaining 15 teams consistently. That is where your title challenge is founded, in picking up the points you absolutely should, and if you claim a Sounder or Galaxy scalp along the way you earn an edge.
Must win is beating DC United it seems, or you are dropping points to everybody else. Must win was beating last years Red Bulls and Wizards. Today is a test for sure, and if the Galaxy run riot on us then you have to question our ability to genuinely compete for the Supporters Shield however even in defeat if this game is as tight as last weekend’s against Seattle it only will serve to underscore the improvement we have witnessed.
Bear in mind, the Columbus Crew only earned 54% of the available points last season and won the Supporters Sheild. If the Wizards pinch a draw today we are running at 58% and I’ll take it.
Key Battles for today
The real question mark over today’s game for me is Ryan Smith. He was fairly effectively dealt with by the Sounders and despite all the bitching over the way we lost the game we failed to score and our defense fell asleep at a crucial time. You cannot win goals without doing scoring, so if shutting down Smith effectively shuts down an offense spear headed by forwards who pose little threat without service we are in trouble. Little of this falls on Smith ‘s shoulders, but lands squarely at the center of midfield. Jewsbury, and Auvrey need to win the battle for midfield and Espinoza and Arnaud need to effectively feed Smith if he is to get enough possession to work his magic.
Josh Wolff needs to continue his impressive work. I appreciate people want to see forwards scoring goals but he is covering miles and miles while he plays harrying defenders, making runs and getting into areas where he attracts coverage. His work makes space and the expense of his strike rate and if he can keep it up he makes room for everybody else around him.
Landon Donovan. Probably the most accomplished player on the field and has little to prove to anybody. While Buddle seems to be scoring at will right now, his supply line is crucial. If we succumb to the hype and start double covering Buddle the Wizard’s will have big gaping holes that will be exploited, he is hot right now but not out of this world. If we can shut down Donovan, Buddle won’t achieve much. Easier said than done? Probably.