MLS Midweek
Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew (Tonight)
The Wizards had hoped they would enter this game on top of the league after only ten games, and it seemed like that would be the case late in Saturday’s game against New York at the Meadowlands. Kansas City fell behind 2-0 early on goals from Juan Pablo Angel and Clint Mathis, and only Kevin Hartman’s point blank save on Dave van den Bergh kept it from being a bigger deficit. However, KC came storming back, controlling the play and coming all the way back to take a 3-2 lead thanks to two second half goals from substitute Yura Movsisyan. Then, in the 89th minute, controversy struck when referee Abi Okulaja awarded a penalty to the Red Bulls, and Angel tied the game with his second of the night. The Wizards were clearly annoyed with the call, especially since it is the third penalty called against them in their last two games at the Meadowlands. As for the legitimacy of the call, I’ll let you decide. (around 2:20. Note that clips are taken from the local New York area broadcast)
A Wizards win not only would have put them top of the league, but it was a four point swing between the two top teams in the East. Moreover, it would have given the Wizards the end of season tiebreaker over their main eastern rivals.
Tonight, the Wizards have to find a way to put all of that behind them as they travel to Columbus. The Crew are coming off a 3-3 draw against New England, a good result for Columbus, but it extended their winless streak to seven games. They will face a Wizards defense that has allowed 8 goals in its last three games (two of them penalties), but the Crew’s defense is struggling as well, especially with international call ups and injuries. I think KC coach Curt Onalfo will be able to get his team to forget the rough end to last Saturday’s game with the Wizards winning in another high scoring affair. KC 3, CREW 2
Chivas USA at Houston Dynamo
After a slow start, Houston has started to pull things together as of late and are currently doing it without Dwayne De Rosario, Pat Onstad, Brian Ching and Ricardo Clark. The Dynamo are on a three game winning streak with Joseph Ngwenya scoring in all three games after being traded from Columbus. Chivas has also been playing well as of late as they have climbed into the top half of the league. However, Chivas hasn’t fared as well on the road so I think home field advantage wins out in this one. HOUSTON 2, CHIVAS 1
MLS, Kansas City Wizards, Columbus Crew, Houston Dynamo, Chivas USA
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