I’m changing my recap format and from now on I’m doing it by sections. So here we go:

Player Ratings: Kevin Hartman (5), Lance Watson (5), Jimmy Conrad (5), Aaron Hohlbein (5) (Michael Harrington (5)), Matt Besler (6), Josh Wolff (6), Santiago Hirsig(4), Jack Jewsbury (5), Davy Arnaud (3), Herculez Gomez (4)(Roger Espinoza (4)), Claudio Lopez (5).

KC Man of the match: Josh Wolff. Great goal. At times he shows the instincts of a good striker.
KC Goat of the match: Josh Wolf. Missed a sitter that could have given KC the win. At times he doesn’t show the instincts of a good striker.
Opponent MVP: Rodney Wallace. If this kid keeps upping his game the Costa Rica NT will have a good left wing player for years to come.
Opponent Goat of the Match: Rodney Wallace. His careless play lead to Watson dispossessing him for the KC goal.

Player that was in the game but was absent: Davy Arnaud. Remember a few weeks ago when he was the toast of the MLS with those long range goals. In the last 4 games he has been a non factor. I agree that defenses have collapsed on him in the middle, but he needs to move around more; rotate to the sides and give us some runs like he gave us last year; that should open the middle of the field for him to take his cannon-like shots.

Game Summary: DC came in with a game plan to try and hold the ball and try and catch KC napping; KC on the other hand was trying to retain some ball control in the middle and spring Lopez and Co. into the attack. D.C. accomplished their mission first when Rodney outmuscled Lance Watson and slid the ball under a charging Hartman (Note: I like Watson, has the heart many lack, but he does not have the physical presence to be a defender; yes he provided an assist, but Wallace made him look bad when DC was attacking, just like Vitti from Toronto and the Chicago wingers did in the last few games). This goal came minutes after Chris Pontius struck a shot off the KC post. So much for the ball control KC had exhibited at the beginning of the game; it didn’t pay off. That was all the real excitement of the first half.

The second half started with KC again pressuring while DC patiently waited their chance to counterattack. After about 10 minutes of really bad back and forth soccer where KC was pressuring, a mistake by the rookie Wallace let Lance Watson get a pass in to Jewsbury on the side who crossed the ball to Wolff so he could slide in with the equalizer. After that the game again fell into a zombie like mode with the Wizards getting 2 more real chances; a shot with little angle from Lopez on a breakaway (when Gomez was all alone in the middle); and a header that Wolff should have put in (it’s Louis Creyton in goal man, anything towards the goal has a chance to get in). After that it was drool time at the CAB, at least for my kids, who were there on a school night; at least they didn’t fall asleep too late, the game put them to sleep right after the KC goal.

My Question to Coach Onalfo: Do you really think the team is playing that well that you insist on playing the same midfield? Our defense isn’t too hot either. Hirsig has not played a one-touch ball since he started playing; again Gomez, Wolff and Arnaud made sporadic appearances throughout the game; and once again the little man with the big heart Lance Watson got schooled by bigger and better players. Also, with 2 forwards on the bench you pull a defender for a mid/defender with 10 minutes left? so much for exciting attacking soccer. Sorry, but this tie at home feels like a loss.

Interesting Stat: KC has played 8 games; in only 3 of those games have they scored more than ONE goal: 3-2 loss to Toronto; 2-0 win vs. San Jose; 2-2 with Chicago

Off to Columbus to play a tough road game.

Here are the game highlights.

This is without a doubt a no-brainer for the Wizards. By leaving the game at the same time, they would lose not only fans coming out to the game, but also television viewers as well. Glad to see an MLS team like that recognizing the demographics of the surrounding area. Although, if you are reading this and live in the proximity, please share your thoughts on the situation. My conclusions are simply educated guesses.

Not much other news to report. Claudio Lopez’ goal against D.C. has him up for the MLS Goal of the Week. Sorry, it’s the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week. His celebration is the picture on the left. Highlights are right here, including the worst possible camera angle ever:

I love how the MLS isn’t like the EPL when it comes to highlights. Enjoy.

United will look to erase memory of last season’s first meeting when they were defeated 4-2 at Arrowhead. This will definitely be a tough opening match for the Wizards, and a stern test to see what Onfalo can engineer. A lot of questions will be answered. Will Claudio start? Who will be his partner up front? How will the revamped backline hold up? Will Chance get to play? Do we get to see Lopez and Gallardo on the field at the same time? Lots and lots of exciting things going on with both squads.

A legitimate preview can be found here listing all the injuries and stuff like that. Goff writes about the United side, while Jon has another visiting team perspective. Let’s go Wiz!

Expert* prediction: 2-1 to the home team. Trujillo scores two goals.

*I am not an expert.