Preview: KC Wizards @ Red Bull New York (Clash of the Titans, Part Duex)

By: Michael | June 15th, 2007

The Skinny:
To enter the lion’s den of East Rutherford once again is not typically a positive experience for the Wizards – we haven’t won there since our championship-winning 2000 season – but to say there is a different swagger to the Wizards’ walk this year would be an understatement. If there was a time to recapture 3 points in New York, this would be it. Having lost in KC two weeks ago, RBNY will be hungry for points (and a chance to squelch the Wizards’ opportunity to gain the East lead with two games in hand).

My Take:
The Wizards have some definite disadvantages going into New York. While RBNY is healthier than they were in KC and without any international abesenses, the Wizards have Sasha Victorine listed as “questionable” and five starters listed as “probable”, not to mention Eddie Johnson is with the USMNT. Still – something about this team, I refuse to write them off. While a loss here would by no means sink our hopes of eclipsing RBNY, a win would propel us into a dominate position over all of MLS.

The Starting XI:
According to the MLS injury report, six starters are currently nursing injuries, though five are listed as “probable” and indication is they will indeed play. EJo is absent, Sealy is back, and I’m going to assume all said injuries aren’t game-preventing except Sasha’s MCL sprain.

——————Hartman————–
Jewsbury—-Garcia—-Conrad—Burciaga
—————-Zavagnin—————-
Arnaud———-Marinelli——-Harrington
———Sealy————Yura———–

Prediction Time:
My Prediction: RBNY 1 – 2 Kansas City
Like I said, I can’t predict against this team right now! Sealy should play well and will certainly be hungry for goals, and while it will be a whole lot tighter than our win in KC, we will again defeat RBNY.
FIFA ‘03 Prediction: KC 2 – 7 NY/NJ
Absolutely ridiculous!

Enjoy the game, everyone…