Crew preview

The Wizards are back playing, finally getting a midweek off after having 5 games in 15 days. The Wizards now return home to take on the Columbus Crew. Last season the Wizards swept the series with the Crew, but this season, the Crew have been playing a lot better. They are one of 3 undefeated teams left in the league, and the only team so far to have taken points off of New York. KC local Andy Gruenebaum has had what has been a break out season so far this season in net for the Crew allowing only 2 goals in their 4 MLS games. The problem for the Crew though has been their lack of scoring, in that same time, the Crew have only scored 3 goals. This will also likely be the MLS debut of former Boca Juniors legend, Guillermo Barros Schelotto. While at this time it doesn't seem likely that he'll get the start, chances are good that we will see him play a bit on Saturday afternoon.

For the Wizards, they're coming off their sweep of the home and home with Toronto, including a big win in Toronto. As Davy Arnaud said on The Jimmy Conrad show on Wednesday, many teams are going to struggle to get points up in Toronto this year with the fan support that they have. As for the noon kickoff this Saturday, both Carlos Marinelli and Scott Sealy are listed as probable for the game tomorrow, although Curt Onalfo said last night on the Wizards Weekly that Sealy is more likely to play then Marinelli at this point. If that's to be believed then this seems like the likely lineup for the game tomorrow.

Hartman
Jewsbury - Garcia - Conrad - Burciaga
Zavagnin
Arnaud - Victorine - Harrington
Sealy - Johnson

If Sealy can't go then I would expect Yura Movsisyan to start with Johnson up top.

Prediction
This is not the same Crew team as last year. They will definitly be tougher to beat this season, I don't expect 3-4 goals at home against them as the Wizards scored last season. That said, they're lack of scoring punch and the Wizards attack ability, I think the Wizards will take this one.

KC - 2 (Johnson, Sealy)
Columbus - 1 (Gaven)

OTHER NEWS
In other Wizards news, congratulations go out to Jimmy Conrad and his wife Lyndsey on the birth of their first daughter on Monday. According to a post on BS, the future women's national team player's name is Julia Rose.

Also, Eddie Johnson was named as the MLS player of the month for April after his 3 goal 2 assist performance of the month. All 3 of the goals were game winners. The goals and assists also pass his performance for all of last season when he only had 2 goals and 1 assist.