Win or We're Done

The Wizards are literally right on the edge of playoff elimination after their loss on Saturday to Seattle. KC now needs to win their remaining three games and needs Colorado to not pick up another point in their final 2 games. The Wizards play 2 games before Colorado takes the field next Saturday at the Home Depot Center against LA. That starts tomorrow when they take on the Chicago Fire at Toyota Park in the match that was rescheduled due to the Manchester United friendly earlier this summer. Chicago has already been eliminated from playoff contention this past weekend. The Fire will without goalkeeper Sean Johnson who stepped in and played very well as a rookie for Chicago. Instead it'll be Andrew Dykstra, who was in goal when the Wizards tied the Fire 2-2 earlier this season.

The Wizards will have Shavar Thomas to partner with Jimmy Conrad in central defense if Peter Vermes decides to go back to his standard lineup. Vermes said after the Seattle game that the Wizards are going to have to go all out in this game, which is obvious since it's a must win. Do we see Stephane Auvray return to the starting lineup? Is it in place of someone other than Jack Jewsbury? With only 2 days of rest after the game against Seattle we could see another change or two. But part of me thinks Vermes will stick with the same lineup as Saturday, with Thomas replacing Matt Besler.

Nielsen
Harrington - Conrad - Thomas - Espinoza
Arnaud - Rocastle - Jewsbury
Kamara - Bunbury - Smith

Key Match Up - Teal Bunbury vs CJ Brown - The Wizards have to get going early in these games, they can't give up the early goal. Bunbury's going to have to start stepping up and against veteran like Brown it'll be interesting how Bunbury steps up.

PREDICTION - KC has more to play for in this game tomorrow, but that's no reason to think that Chicago will just roll over for KC. The Wizards history in Chicago isn't a bright one, with only two wins in their history in Chicago, but haven't lost in their last two trips to the Windy City, getting a draw last year and a win in 2008. Neither team is currently in great form as the Wizards are on a three game losing streak, while Chicago has won only 2 of their last 10 games. I want to think KC will at least force Colorado to keep winning to keep them out of the playoffs, but I don't know if KC can do it on the road.

KC - 1 (Kamara)
Chi - 1 (McBride)