Postgame: Wizards 2 – 2 (c)Rapids

By: Michael | July 23rd, 2007

In Summary:
What a disgusting game to watch. Eight yellows and a red… and while they were whistled twice as often as the Wizards (20 to 12), four yellows and a red were shown to KC. Where was that red card when Sasha was elbowed? How about the countless times a Rapids player already cautioned went to the ground on another stupid, reckless challenge? To allow the method of soccer the refs allowed the Rapids to participate in was irresponsible, and Johnson, Victorine, and Movsisyan all coming up with injuries is blood on their hands.

As for the game, Eddie owned, Arnaud played great as his strike partner, and EJo’s two finishes left the Wizards up 2-1 at the half. Things kept getting uglier as the game went on, and then after many-a-non-ejection from the refs for Colorado’s tackles, this scene produced a red for Jose Burciaga:

The Quote(s) of the Match

“Of course [they did], but the referee certainly didn’t help the cause. He actually provoked it by giving us cards when they’re kicking us the entire game. I’m livid, absolutely livid. Two points just stolen from us because guys don’t do their job. … A referee’s job is to ref and do it the right way. That didn’t happen.”

“It’s very frustrating. It got worse every single minute. It didn’t get better. I talked to the fourth official at halftime about how he needs to understand what the tactics of the team are, and that’s what bothers me. It’s not the actual calls, it’s understanding what tactics are and then letting the other team get away with it.”

– Coach Onalfo (from MLSNet)

More succinctly:

“We got screwed…”

– Coach Onalfo (from the Kansas City Star)

Pretty well sums it up, Curt…

But we’re still within a game of a top position.
In the east, we now sit a point back of both RBNY and New England, and while New England have a game in hand against us, we’ll be heading to Gillette Stadium early in August, ready to once again take three out of Massachusetts. Columbus, meanwhile, is a point behind is with 18 games played to our 17. All in all, we are a steady middle-of-the-pack in the playoff race.

What’s Ahead for the Wiz…
We’ll be at home against Chivas USA next Saturday for the return of Preki… it should be a good match!