Has anyone looked closely at our remaining schedule? 09/01 7:30 p.m. @ Chicago 09/04 7:30 p.m. MetroStars 09/10 8:30 p.m. @ Colorado 09/18 7:30 p.m. San Jose (HDNet) 09/22 7:30 p.m. Chicago [US Open Cup Final] 09/25 7:30 p.m. Colorado 10/02 9:00 p.m. @ Los Angeles (Metro Sports) 10/09 9:00 p.m. @ San Jose (Metro Sports) 10/16 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles Some observations: After September 4 it is all division games (against contenders for that matter) and the very important Cup Final against the Fire. The week of 9/18 - 9/25 is particularly brutal with 3 games in one week. While all 3 are at home, all are necessary to ensure division supremacy and hardware (Supporters Shield and Dewar Trophy.) We might be missing Zavagnin (and possibly Thomas) on 9/4, 9/10, 10/9, and 10/16 due to World Cup Qualifiers. Also, Game 6 of the semi-final round of qualifiers (between the US and Jamaica) is 3 days after MLS Cup 2004. That is admittedly too far ahead to be concerned with at this point but it could raise some serious questions about club vs. country. October 16 is national "HATE THE GALAXY" day and should be zealously observed by all Wizards fans! Things are getting very interesting. GO WIZARDS!
That stretch of the season will make or break us. It will be tough having to miss Zags and Shavar for those, possibly, but we have played without them before and I think we'll be okay. We need to continue to play like we did against the Revs and San Jose.
TV info added 09/01 7:30 p.m. @ Chicago 09/04 7:30 p.m. MetroStars (MSG Network) 09/10 8:30 p.m. @ Colorado 09/18 7:30 p.m. San Jose (HDNet) 09/22 7:30 p.m. Chicago [US Open Cup Final] (*tbd) 09/25 7:30 p.m. Colorado 10/02 9:00 p.m. @ Los Angeles (Metro Sports) 10/09 9:00 p.m. @ San Jose (Metro Sports) 10/16 7:30 p.m. Los Angeles (KCAL-9) * Likely Comcast-Chicago, with possible pickups from FSW or another broadcaster
Uh, as they are the only remaining games...yeah, probably so. KC has found a way to live without Preki and Igor for 20 games, will have to find a way without Klein for the last 10, and will find a way without whoever for a game here and there. 1-0 games might be on order for the next few. Key will be both Burciaga's ability to fill in seemlessly and also coming suspensions for cards, etc. Bo must be stronger as well. KC can fill for a spot here and there, Preki and Igor are returning to :90 speed, and KC is confident; still missing Klein, Tony, and 2 at the back is about the limit a team can stretch with 3 games in a week. You might even say that the two games on either side on the USOC final will be throwaway games due to the importance of the final. It would be only natural for players to reserve a little in the first game while coming down from the high for the week-ender. It's a danger spot no doubt.