Must Win

If the Wizards want to make the playoffs this year, they're likely going to have to win out. Sure they are only 6 points out at the moment, but with so many other teams between them and the 8th playoff spot, KC is going to likely need to grab all 12 available remaining points to get into the post season. That starts tomorrow when the Wizards travel to Houston to take on the Dynamo Sunday afternoon. The good news for the Wizards, is that Houston will be without Brian Ching, who was red carded in Houston's last league game, meaning he'll be sitting out the game on Sunday. With him out, that's one less offensive weapon the Dynamo have. On top of that, they're coming in on the backs of a hard fought loss in the CONCACAF Champion's League to Pachuca.

As for KC, as stated above, the Wizards need to get all 3 points from this game. Since starting their East Coast road trip, the Wizards are 3-1-1 and have been showing some very good form. The question is whether they can take that good form back on the road with them as they travel to Houston. KC will have their top lineup to choose from, but I wouldn't expect any changes from last week's lineup against Colorado.

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

Key Match Up - Jack Jewsbury and Santiago Hirsig vs Stuart Holden - With no Ching, Holden is Houston's most dangerous player. Keeping him contained will be the key to this game, and that responsibility will be falling on the central midfield pair of Jewsbury and Hirsig.

PREDICTION - I want to be positive about this game, but I think even without Ching, Houston is just too good at home for the Wizards to be able to pull out the win. Houston is just too strong in my opinion and have too many other weapons. I hope I'm wrong, I hope Kamara goes on a tear to stick it to Dominic Kinnear for trading him, but I just don't think the Wizards get the full points from this one.

KC - 1 (Kamara)
HOU - 3 (Holden x2, Weaver)