Preview: Kansas City Wizards vs. FC Dallas (The Lamar Hunt Tribute Game)

By: Michael | May 12th, 2007

The Skinny:
Today’s game in Kansas City marks the opening of a new semi-era in the Onalfo years: the view from the top. The Wizards are looking down upon the rest of the MLS with 12 points from 5 games and for the first time in awhile, we could lose this one and I don’t think many would bat an eyelash. By contrast, Dallas is going through a tough time this season, underplaying expectations and lacking the locker room cohesion KC has enjoyed. While they look to rebound (and win at Arrowhead stadium for the first time since 1999) after two shutout losses and a week’s rest, the Wizards are hoping to keep the good times rolling despite a key absense: Jimmy.

Expanding on the feel-good atmosphere at the Arrowhead will be a tribute to the late Lamar Hunt, who co-founded the team. Those who wax nostaligically about when the Wizards were simply “The Wiz” should be happy to hear that the team will be wearing a special kit, featuring the old team emblem and the initials “LH”. While the Hunt ownership group ran the franchise into the ground during their last few years of ownership, they were the reason there was a franchise to run into the ground in the first place, so I say on with the tribute!

My Take:
I don’t really see Dallas winning this one. I know the Wizards’ luck has to run out sometime, but my gut says if Dallas leaves with a point, they should be happy. I anticipate the return of Marinelli and (*trumpets blare*) a start by Scott Sealy (if you believe the injury reports) to counter the new absense of jaw-broken Jimmy Conrad. On Dallas’ side, goalkeeper Sala should be back, but Carlos Ruiz will be out because he was playing hooky from practice this week. Dallas should also see the debut of midfielder Pablo Ricchetti, who recently cleared his work visa, but it will do little to counter the positive momentum of Kansas City.

The Starting XI:
Though there’s been a hyped competition as to who will backup Conrad, I think it’s a no-brainer to let Hohlbein get back onto the pitch and repeat his (for the most part) solid performance in being the no. 3 centerback. If we can assume Marinelli and Sealy are healthy, we should see a lineup like this:

(The three symbols after each player’s name is their role in the past three games… a * is a start, a ^ is a sub out, a + is a substitution in, and a _ is a game on the bench.)

———————–Hartman(***)———————-
Jewsbury(***)–Garcia(***)–Hohlbein(___)–Burciaga(***)
———————–Zavagnin(***)———————
Victorine(^*^)———-Marinelli(^^_)—–Harrington(^^*)
————Sealy(__+)——Johnson(***)————-

Prediction Time:
My Prediction: KC 2 – 0 FC Dallas
…Sealy scores one early for a feel-good opener and then EJo gets one back from his old team with a 2nd-half strike to put it away
FIFA ‘03 Prediction: KC 1 – 4 FC Dallas
FIFA ‘03 is on crack.

We’ll, that’s all for today’s preview… it’s a full 2 hours and 27 minutes before gametime, so to everyone who checks this out before kickoff, I hope both of you enjoy the match!