MLSsoccer.com will break down the Wizards’ season in three-match blocks during the MLS campaign. Consider it ten quick glimpses into Kansas City’s season, each of which will play a critical role in the team’s quest to return to the playoffs.
Position
Fifth in the Eastern Conference (3-6-3, 12 points)
Last three
June 5 at Toronto FC – 0-0 draw
June 10 vs. Philadelphia Union – 2-0 victory
June 26 vs. New York Red Bull – 3-0 defeat
Next three
July 3 at FC Dallas (4-2-6, 18 points)
July 10 vs. Chivas USA (3-9-1, 10 points)
July 14 at Columbus Crew (7-2-3, 24 points)
Player to remember: Ryan Smith (two assists)
Apart from Kei Kamara, Smith has been the Wizards' most productive offensive player this season by a long shot. His goal and five assists put him on pace for what should be an breakout season in his first go round in Major League Soccer.
Unfortunately, Smith's ankle is still bothering him, and that has sometimes limited his effect on games for the full 90 minutes. If the Wizards are to find their form, Smith will have to up his production even more and find a way to adapt to the physical play—and inconsistent refereeing—that he has found frustrating so far.
Player to watch: Davy Arnaud
Following Saturday's defeat to New York, Arnaud was as down as he has been this season. Not only did the Wizards lose handily in front of their home fans, Arnaud drew yet another red card—this one in second half stoppage time—and will miss his third game of 2010 through suspension.
It's no secret how much the veteran means to Kansas City, and it will be interesting to see how the team copes with the absence of its captain and how Arnaud himself deals with another week in which he cannot contribute.
Two things that went right
1) Two results before the break
The Wizards did well to end their long winless streak and pick up some much needed confidence with a draw on the road in Toronto and a 2-0 victory against the Union before embarking on a long layoff during the World Cup group stages.
Those two results seemed to calm the players and coaching staff's nerves, allowing them to enter the break relaxed and focused on the rest of the season. It also kept them from finding themselves at the very bottom of the league table, something that would have been a tough pill to swallow considering the side's fast start.
2) World Cup hype in Kansas City
It may have surprised some people, but Kansas City's Power & Light District became an epicenter of support for the United States national team during its run to the round of 16. Thousands packed the common area and bars during the group stage, and a P&L record of 12,000 jammed into the area for Saturday's disappointing defeat.
WATCH: KC fans flock to Power & Light district
It would have been exciting to see the kind of support that would have mobilized for a quarterfinal matchup with Uruguay, but the attention and press the events elicited will be priceless in the city's quest to be a World Cup host city in 2018 or 2022.
Two things that went wrong
1) Defensive misgivings against the Red Bulls
Kansas City seemed calm and confident heading into Saturday's tilt with first-place New York, but that attitude didn't manifest itself on the field or in the result. With Salou Ibrahim providing a battering ram in the penalty area and Juan Pablo Angel providing the attacking guile, the Reb Bulls waltzed to a 3-0 victory in front of a sellout crowd at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
That wasn't the way the Wizards wanted to return from break, and it certainly wasn't the kind of performance needed to piggyback on the attention being devoted to soccer because of the World Cup.
2) Roger Espinoza and Honduras' short run in South Africa
The World Cup started out as a dream come true for Espinoza and Honduras, but it ended almost as quickly as it started. Despite Los Catrachos hasty exit, Espinoza gained some valuable experience during the group stages that the Wizards will hope translates into even better performances for his club.
Getting the third-year defender back should also help bolster Kansas City's back line and provide defensive bite on the left side, where Smith's tendency to stay forward makes the left back's role in defending critical. He could be available as early as this weekend against FC Dallas.
Looking ahead
Kansas City will be disappointed to have fallen so flat against New York, but there is no time to focus on the past with three tough matches coming up in the next two weeks.
WATCH: HIGHLIGHTS: NY 3, KC 0
Dallas have only been beaten twice this season and will have the heat and—former Wizards 'keeper Kevin Hartman—on their side. Then it's Chivas USA, who are desperate for points. Throw in a road game against first-place Columbus, and its obvious nothing will come easily from here on out, even if Kansas City get Espinoza and Stephane Auvray back soon.
From the looks of it, four points wouldn’t be a bad haul from three matches that include two road games. The problem is that Kansas City have been ineffective away from CAB all season. No matter what happens during the next two weeks, that will have to change at some point if the Wizards want to return to the playoffs.
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