Wizards face challenges in LA
Kansas City tries to overcome loss of two stars against Galaxy
It is a mixed bag of suspended players, a deceiving opponent's record and a road game in a place where Kansas City hasn't won since 2004 that awaits the Wizards as the team makes its way to Los Angeles this Saturday.
Kansas City will be without the services of its top goal-scorer, forward Josh Wolff, and key midfielder Santiago Hirsig against the Galaxy. Both will serve one-game suspensions for their ejections during last week's 1-1 draw with Chivas USA.
Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo said he liked his team's depth earlier this season and still does, but the loss of the two starters will be noticeable.
"You're talking about two of our better players over our last four games," Onalfo said. "Josh's form has been outstanding. He scored two goals in the scrimmage game on Wednesday. He's on fire. There's no two ways about it. We're going to miss that finishing touch.
"And with Santiago, possession. He's a guy who possesses the ball extremely well, and he breaks up a lot of plays. Obviously, we're disappointed we aren't going to have them, but we aren't losing sleep over it. We're confident with the group we're going to put on the field."
Wolff received his expulsion for making contact with his forehead to that of Chivas's Mariano Trujillo. Hirsig's ejection came after a second caution was assessed. Both also received $250 fines.
According to Onalfo, the game result easily could have been worse than a draw had his team not responded in a way he felt was suitable given the situation.
"We all know that there are going to be games that go like that where things don't go your way with the officiating," Onalfo said. "I liked how our guys dealt with it when it happened. I thought that under the circumstances, we handled ourselves with enormous poise."
Los Angeles has won just once all season, but is in the middle of the Western Conference with a league-high eight draws in 10 games. The Galaxy haven't lost in their last eight contests, going 1-0-7 over that stretch.
Kansas City hasn't beaten the Galaxy since June 2004. The Wizards are just 4-13-5 all-time against L.A. on the road (1-5-2 since 2005 and allowing two or more goals in six of those games).
"I never believe much of that stuff," Onalfo said when informed of Kansas City's recent L.A. woes. "Obviously, those are stats and there's truth to it, but every game is different and every circumstance is different.
"I feel like we have a better team this year than we've had in the past. We have to close out games and play consistently for 90 minutes. I think that's the biggest thing going into the game."
L.A. has 12 goals this season, half of which have come courtesy of Landon Donovan. His six goals are good for a share of the top spot in MLS to date. He is tied with Wolff and three others.
Donovan received word earlier this week that he has been called up to the U.S. national team. His call-up will not affect his availability this weekend, however, as he is not expected to join the national team until next Monday.
The Wizards will also lose a player to a call-up next week. Midfielder Roger Espinoza will join the Honduras national team for a pair of World Cup qualifiers next week. It is the second time in about three months that Espinoza has received the call. He was placed on the roster for qualifiers on March 28 and April 1. He did not play in either match.
Curtis Kitchen is a contributor to MLSnet.com
