KC: 1-1-2 Last weekend we participated in one of the most exciting and well balanced matches I've seen this season. We lead the league in scoring, and we also lead the league in goals allowed. This can not be helped by the fact that Burciaga is out (see thread on this issue) and we also have Nats campers and Talley's lingering injury. Zavagnin and Quills' resurgance is one of the lone bright spots of the two game home stand that saw the Wizards take just one point. Predicted line up, assuming Klein and Garcai make the short trip over from Houston and play Saturday: Meola Conrad-Garcia-Talley Zavagnin-Gomez Klein-Preki-Gutierrez Igor-Wolff If Talley can't go, Gutierrez drops to left back and Quill comes on. If Wolff can't go (plus its FieldTurf which he hates), Armstrong comes on up top. UPDATE: (KC STAR) WOLFF UPDATE: Josh Wolff, who sat out the Wizards' last game because of a right hamstring strain, did some light drill work and jogged. Gansler said the plan is to have Wolff ready for Saturday's match at Dallas. Dallas: 0-1-2 After a 0-0 draw at Dallas, they've got their own injury problems to deal with. Johnnie O'Brien was hacked down by Dema Kovalenko and will miss the rest of the season with a broken tibia. Oscar is still injured, having not played for some time. Joselito Vaca and Brad Davis are really going to have to prove themselves for this team to turn its slow start around. Dallas, like many teams, is still looking for their first win at home. With the Wizards playing very inconsistantly, it seems a likely time for Dallas to turn the tides. I have a bad feeling about this game, as I did with the SJ game. At some point home field advantage is going to turn in teams favor. I hope we win, but would be satisfied with a draw. Watch party at Coaches? Is this automatically set up for all away games or do we have to set it up each time? I'm going to be in town for UMKC's graduation (4:00 pm) and will fly over to Coaches after its over.
I think we might see: Meola Conrad-Garcia-Gutierrez Zavagnin-Gomez Klein-Preki-Quill Igor-Wolff Knowing Bob, he'll find a place on the field for Brown so he can keep up his appearance streak.
This is my preferred lineup. The one I put before is what I think we'll see instead. That is, if Talley can be healthy. So he's been playing a 1 1/2 with this problem, did we recieve damaged goods?
One of the things that I always worry me is when the Wizards go and play struggling team at thier home field. I hope my gut feeling is wrong about this one..... Wizards 2 (Wolff and Simu, with Klein playing well again and assisting on both) Dallas 1 (Kries,,,who else??) paul
In my sunday men's league game this week the other team had a player hurt on a foul they thought should have been a card, etc. There were standing pools of water on the field, so it was an abnormal game to say the least, but the kid did get creamed. Anyway, they came back to win after not doing much at all before that. My point is, watch out for Dallas this week. 1. for goal scoring offensive insane-o junk, and 2. for hard tackles and wild challenges all over the field. Dallas isn't normally that kind of team, but I think they just might have it in 'em this weekend. oh, and if neither Quill nor Armstrong see any action in this game, and Brown plays the full 90 - some heads are gonna roll.
In case that does happen, I just want to let you know that I agree with you 100%. If they stick with the 3-5-2, then I hope Talley is healthy. I don't trust Brunt (who does?), and Diego is not suited to playing Burciaga's spot. If he's not, I suspect a return to a 4-4-2 with Diego at left back, Klein at right back.
Don't forget that Armstrong is Mr. Fix it. If there is a spot needed to be filled Armstrong can play it. Armstrong may see some time in the back. Do I agree? No. Can he do it? Yes, and that is what Gansler sees him as, Mr. Fix it.
Just based on performance, I think someone moves back to pick up Burciaga and Quill gets the start. Meola Conrad Garcia Gutierrez Klein Zavagnin Preki Gomez Quill Brown Simutenkov vs Countess Bonseu Morrow Suarez Broome Vaca Deering Davis Martinez Kreis Johnson Dallas' D has been playing much better than KC's - then again who isn't playing better than KC's defense. For KC to win they will have to exploit the on paper advantage in midfield and the wings. The second it comes down to finishing you have to give the nod to the excepional speed and finishing of EJ and Kreis, so plugging the midfield will be key for the blue guys. Klein and Quill can dominate Broome and Martinez even on an off day. (I'm assuming Klein and Garcia will be in Dallas on Saturday to start) If Gomez bothers to find some skill and agression instead of always making the safe or poor pass, then DAL will have a long day. You know what you get from KZ and Preki every game. If Gomez plays his typical game then I believe it will come to Kreis' foot and his finishing. Points in DAL are rare, but KC did get 3 last time in a 1-0 win late last season.
Luder reported that Wolff has been practicing this week and should be ready to start this weekend. Scratch Brown for the love of god Bob!!!! Other than that I think this will be what we see Saturday.
Re: Re: KC @ Dallas 5/10 Pregame thread Brown may still start on the right depending on how much Klein plays on Thursday. I think Talley's health is critical without Burciaga.
Re: Re: Re: KC @ Dallas 5/10 Pregame thread Todays Star article wasn't incouraging on the Talley front. Something about possible nerve problems, extreme pain just minutes after treatment. Doctors didn't seem to know what was going on, speculation that a pinched nerve inside a muscle might be the cause? Link: http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/sports/soccer/5809970.htm
From www.3rddegree.net: Matt Benhcke (sp) will start at D-mid to compensate for O'Brien's absence. Ronnie O'Brien will have "Kovalenkic" surgury to repair his broken leg sometime within days. I wouldn't be surprised if, upon dc's arrival in the Dallas terminal, someone does a Tanya Harding to Kovalenko's legs. Either way I guess it's a good thing in the short-run for KC. Given KC's '03 penchant for giving up the long shot and O'Brien's GoTY canidate in Week 2.