Wizards Hope to Cut Off Red Bulls' Wings

The Wizards are back in action this week after a week off. Kansas City will take on the New York Red Bulls. The last time these 2 teams met, Eddie Johnson went off for his second straight hattrick to lead the Wizards on to a 3-2 victory and the top of the East. Since then, New York has retaken the lead in the East. Kansas City will have to do their work this time without leading scorer Johnson, as he's still off with the US National team at the Gold Cup.

To win this game, the Wizards are definitely gonna have to get more offensive support. Johnson has scored the Wizards last 6 goals for the team. The Wizards will need Carlos Marinelli, Davy Arnaud, and Scott Sealy to step up and pick up Johnson's offensive slack. New York will just as hard as when the Wizards played them 2 weeks ago. The Red Bulls lost no players to the Gold Cup, and they are beginning to get healthier by the week. Starting goalkeeper Ronald Waterreus is back in the net for New York. Jeff Parke, who's half time substitution was part of the reason for the Wizards second half come back, is listed as probable for this game. Their left back Todd Dunivant is also listed as probable, meaning that the slower Dave van den Bergh may not be playing at left back again.

As for the Wizards, here's my predicted lineup this week:

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

Prediction
This will be a big game for both teams, a win here by the Wizards and they take the season series. A loss by the Wizards, while it'll hurt a little won't be the end of the world, as they will still have 2 games in hand on the Red Bulls. Either way it should be an exciting game.

KC - 2 (Marinelli, Arnaud)
NY - 2 (Angel, Altidore)