K.C. looks to the future, eye win
Club knows a win would clinch a playoff berth for them
"We win, we're in," Jose Burciaga said of the Wizards regular-season finale at Dallas next Saturday. "That's the bottom line. That's all we have to do."
Of course, the Wizards could have booked their ticket Saturday night with a win against the New York Red Bulls. Instead, Kansas City leaves New York realizing their playoff fate will likely be decided on the final weekend of the regular season for a third consecutive year after losing 2-1.
"It's disappointing. We came in here with the mindset of getting three points and getting into the postseason," Burciaga said. "That's the way the game is. We can't dwell on this ... game. It hurts, but you just have to move and we know what we have to do and that's three points next week no matter what."
And the Wizards aren't thinking of the failure of the past two seasons.
"These last four games has been some of the best soccer we've played all year," Eddie Johnson said. "Our destiny is all in our hands. ... I think it's a situation where you have to be a man, look yourself in the mirror and next week put it all on the line."
Kansas City had its chances, primary among them a second-half penalty kick by Johnson. But Jon Conway dived to his right to make the save in the 53rd minute after Carlos Mendes pulled down Scott Sealy just inside the box.
"I didn't step up," Johnson said. "The team all year has been relying on me to score goals. ... The 'keeper made a good save and I didn't hit it right. Big players step up in big games and I wasn't a big player tonight."
Burciaga made two critical mistakes that the Red Bulls turned into a pair of first-half goals. After he handled Dave van den Bergh's cross, Juan Pablo Angel made it 5-for-5 from the penalty spot, beating Kevin Hartman low to the 'keeper's right to put the Red Bulls in front on 20 minutes.
"It's unfortunate, but we all make mistakes," K.C. coach Curt Onalfo said. "We have to move on."
The Wizards rallied to equalize a minute later when Jack Jewsbury headed Davy Arnaud's cross past Conway. But in the 24th minute, Burciaga fell on the ball in his defensive third, allowing Dane Richards to fun free down the right flank and hit a wide open Angel, who tapped his second goal of the game past Kevin Hartman.
"It got caught under my feet and with the turf and stuff, it happens," Burciaga said. "You don't want it to happen when the game's at stake. It hurts. I let my teammates down and we just have to move on and help my team to succeed next Saturday in Dallas."
Playing with a greater sense of urgency, Kansas City played a much better second half, putting the Red Bulls on their heels. But Conway stopped Johnson from the penalty spot and van den Bergh cleared Sealy's shot from close range off the line in the 75th minute. Johnson was also denied by Conway in the 90th minute.
"It's very frustrating, especially when you have the opportunities to do it," Onalfo said. "We fell short, but we're forced to go down to Dallas and get three points. End of story."
Dylan Butler is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
