Make Up More Ground

The Wizards have a chance tomorrow to make up more ground on the pack ahead of them and get even closer to the MLS playoffs this year. Tomorrow, the Wizards take on the Colorado Rapids, who are currently 8 points ahead of the Wizards and currently in the playoffs. Colorado comes into the game on the backs of 2 1-1 draws with San Jose, both on late penalty kick goals by the leagues leading scorer, Conor Casey. Him and Omar Cummings have formed a potent partnership for the Rapids and will be a hand full for the Wizards back line. The good news for the Wizards, is that due to injuries, the Rapids are without most of their wingers as Colin Clark, Jamie Smith, and Jacob Peterson are all going to be out this weekend it looks like.

The Wizards are going to need to win this game to continue to keep their playoff hopes alive. Winning their home games is the big thing for the Wizards right now. Taking all 9 from their remaining 3 home games will be essential for KC to get into the playoffs. Jack Jewsbury will be back for the Wizards this weekend after serving his yellow card suspension. Jimmy Conrad and Michael Harrington, while having a "meeting of the minds" at practice earlier this week, should be ready to go as well. The question is, with Davy Arnaud's struggles on the field since returning from the Gold Cup, do you sit him and give Kei Kamara the start? Or do you drop Arnaud back into midfield and sit Herculez Gomez? Personally I think Arnaud needs a break and a start on the bench may not be the worst thing for him.

Hartman
Leathers - Conrad - Besler - Harrington
Jewsbury - Hirsig
Gomez - - - - - - - Lopez
Kamara - Wolff

Key Match Up - Jimmy Conrad vs Conor Casey - Conrad will have his hands full with the league leading scorer and will need to have a much better game overall than his performance against Dallas for KC to get the win tomorrow night.

PREDICTION - Colorado played on Wednesday of this week, and is without some key players for the game this weekend. You would think that would give the Wizards the advantage, but outside the recent games in New England and New York, KC has not done very well against undermanned teams lately. Taking out the Rapids on little rest would give the Wizards a big boost and definitely keep them in the chase for a playoff spot.

KC - 1 (Wolff)
CO - 0