OFFICIAL Apr 24 Burn vs. KC wiz [R]

[stopper4]

Potential starting lineup lifted form the KC board:

Meola
Zotinca-Thomas-Conrad-Garcia
Zavagnin-Gutierrez
Klein-(Walsh or Gomez)
Wolff-Arnaud

Some discussion whether it would be Diego Walsh or Francisco Gomez running the show for them, offensively.

Wow. That's a some defense. I think Thomas and Burciaga led the Olympic Qualifying tournament in cards and PKs given up. For a reference on Zotinica, see what he did to get Hejdude tossed last weekend. Garcia is a hack. Conrad is 'just' phsical. If the ref doesn't control this one early, our attackers are going to have to keep their cool.

Zavagning and Gutierrez are effective Dmids. Klein will cause us problems, but if we can contain him, I predict a Dallas victory.

[AndyMead]

At least you didn't say "Kansas vs Burn".

Garcia is no "hack". Smart pain in the ass defender who does anything and everything the referees allow, yes. Hack, no.

[burning247]

ooo look at me shaking in my boots, if we don't win this we need to take a hard look at the consitency of the team. If we can shut down Chicago, and come away with Soldier Field with a 2-0 victory, theres no reason to tie or lose to this KC team in Big D. My goal is for us to go at least 4 games undefeated...

[Alex Sanz]

I agree 247, the way we played the last two games, this game should be a shoe in.

SAturday can't come quick enough!

[ElJefe]

Man, after last year, I don't think that any game will be a "shoo-in."

If we win, it'll be a 1-0 or 2-1 score. The Wizards under Bob Gansler don't roll over that easily.

But if I were a betting man, I'd bet on a draw.

[AndyMead]

Man, after last year, I don't think that any game will be a "shoo-in."

This is MLS where anybody but the MetroStars can turn it around in an off-season.

KC was 7-0 (3 SO losses) to end 1999 (3 GF - 8 GA)
KC was 10-0-2 to start 2000 (25 GF - 5 GA, 9 SOs :eek: )

[Jambon]

I'm really looking forward to this game, as it will tell us a lot about the team. This is a game we "should" win. We're facing a team at reduced strength. We're playing at home. We've played well and even shown improvement in our first two games. In my opinion, we have superior talent. But can we maintain the focus and concentration necessary to beat a well-coached, defensively-capable team? The only reason I even ask is because inconsistency has been the mortal enemy of the Burn for 9 years now. It would be completely in the Burn's character to beat the defending Eastern Conference champ on the road, then return home and lose to a team that might wind up last in the West. We've all seen this scenario happen before.

I expect our midfield to dominate our opponent for the third week in a row. I think we are the first decent midfield that KC will have faced this year. Whether or not we can convert that into the creation of numerous scoring chances against a solid KC defense is another question.

I give KC a slight edge on defense. Their talent is solid and Gansler is an excellent coach on that side of the ball. Our D has not really come together completely and has experienced a few breakdowns in each game.

Luckily this should be nullified by our strong advantage at forward. I have no respect for Arnaud or Wolff, and combined with my predicted domination by our midfield, they should spend most of their time coming out towards midfield just to try to collect the occasional ball. Nhelko and Johnson, on the other hand, should continue to stretch defenses and provide long-range outlets for our defense/midfield. Finishing will be the decisive factor for both teams.

Best case scenario: Dallas scores early of set piece play. KC forced to move forward in search of equalizer. Burn takes advantage of extra space on counter. Burn wins 4-0

Worst case scenario: Defensive brainfart for Dallas or fluke goal for KC early. KC goes into instant deep bunker. No more than one Wizard crosses midfield stripe for remainder of game. KC wins 1-0.

[Viking64]

I look forward to kicking their arse in, but nothing is a shoo in. I wonder if we'll see Kreis off the bench yet. I look forward to exploiting Thomas. Now if the Burn could ever get off a decent shot from a corner kick, Thomas would be worse than being a man down for them.

[burning247]

plus we owe KC an ass whooping of a life time, we've let them get away with garbage wins and ties in the past 3 years, we need to just put foot to ass on this one, really add to team chemistry and confidence.

[Alex Sanz]

OK, maybe I shouldn't have said shoo-in. But I am quite confident we are the much better team. Having said that, I realize anything can happen in soccer.

I think Jambon is right on with his worst and best case scenarios. My prediction is a 3-1 Burn win. Have no idea how City scores.

Note: I predicted 2-1 Burn over Colorado and 1-0 Burn over Chicago. I was one Burn goal off on each one. I wanted to predict 4-1 for this Saturday, but brought it down to 3-1. I should be right on.

SCORCHED EARTH.

PS: We OWN City at the Bowl.

[chazsoccer]

Alex -

Warning! Warning! The Karma police have been watching you.
You are to be considered a "person of interest". :eek:

I just saw Brushes Sand post in another thread, so I thought it only fair to give you a heads up :D ...Don't weauxf the soccer godz!!

[br13]

I have no respect for Arnaud or Wolff, and combined with my predicted domination by our midfield, they should spend most of their time coming out towards midfield just to try to collect the occasional ball.

Jambon, good post. I think that your above statement is dead on and the #1 problem that the Wizards have - the forwards are ALWAYS coming back to midfield to get touches. I tend to have a little more respect for their forwards than you (especially Igor who is down - a guy I feel is one of the most underrated players in MLS), but they are never allowed to make runs forward (utilizing their speed) because they are always coming back for the ball.

I'm obviously in my pessemistic mood this morning - all the positive energy in this thread is terrifying me. We had a great win last week, but the Fire were just returning from Costa Rica and they hadn't scored in three games. The fact that we are at home and Preki is not playing should make us slight favorites, but I'm not sure if we should be expecting multiple goals. KC's two matches this year were 0-0 and 1-0, and in the exhibition we had in OKC was on a goal mouth scramble after a corner. As has been stated in some posts here - the Wizard D is good. A solid back line (Zotinca-Thomas-Conrad-Garcia) and a good Dmid (Zavagnin). I think that we should hope to eek out the 1-0 victory, but not be too disappointed with a nil-nil draw.

I think in many ways this KC team is similar to the Burn - Veteran keeper, Solid Defence and Dmid - Strong on the right, average to below average on the left - an attacking mid that is trying to mold into that position - and forwards who have tended to have trouble finishing. Should be a good matchup - given that the Fire had just played in Costa Rica, I think this should be the toughest test yet for this rebuilt Burn side.

[Northside Rovers]

Is this game on the Direct Kick package?

[stopper4]

According to the schedule I printed of the Indemand website, it is.

[Alex Sanz]

I do NOT, and should not, mess with the Gawdz.

Maybe I should have made it clear that my prior post was a dream I had.

I expect a 1-1 tie. ;)

[AndyMead]

Is this game on the Direct Kick package?

I'm guessing that both inDemand and Dish will carry it, but that DirecTV won't.

[Zé Bill]

DISH's Sat. listings say ch. 464 Dallas × K.C.
7:30 p.m.

"DISH people": Ain't it a drag you can't get the box to change channels, like, to record the first part of an east coast game and then have it switch to record the Burn game? Because it always says "call to subscribe" even when you're all subscribed and paid up?

At times, in years past, you could program it to change channels---'remind box' 'tune to channel'?
---or am I missing something this year?
K.C.---
Going out on a limb: I don't think Shavar Thomas is a shrewd defender yet.

Jamaican U-23 or Wizards jersey, he hasn't gotten the hang of that "accidentally on purpose" mentality that works to camoflauge obstruction and tripping by effective D's like Nick Garcia, therefore Shavar gets FK's and PK's called against his teams.
Partly that, but mainly due to the Burn's accelerating rate of combustion: Burn win Sat.

[ElJefe]

I'm guessing that both inDemand and Dish will carry it, but that DirecTV won't.
It's in the DirecTV guide. Channel 795, I believe.

[AndyMead]

It's in the DirecTV guide. Channel 795, I believe.

Oops, yeah. I was thinking a week ahead. With my upcoming travel, I'm already scoping out my programming set for next weekend. It's the Colorado at Kansas City game that doesn't show up on DirecTV's MLS Direct Kick page.

[soccerlube]

What is our potential/probable lineup for Saturday?