Preview of Game 13 - DC United at Kansas City

DC United, 6-2-4 (W-D-L), travels to Kansas City for a Wednesday afternoon game looking to improve upon their pitiful road record. United will continue to be shorthanded with Boswell, Olsen, and Moreno missing due to Copa America national team duty and Namoff and Kpene questionable due to injury. DC is 1-1-3 on the road with a -2 goal differential. They are in 4th place in the Eastern Conference (1.67 PPG), two points behind New England (1.69 PPG) with one game in hand. They are in 6th place in the Supporter's Shield race, six points behind FC Dallas (1.63 PPG) with four games in hand.

Kansas City welcomes DC to on a four game winless streak (0-2-2) including last week's 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. The Wizards are 3-1-2 at home this season with a +3 goal differential. They are in 2nd place in the Eastern Conference (1.62 PPG), one point behind New England, and in 4th place in the Supporter's Shield race.

United only posted three of six points in their two games against the worst MLS has to offer. Now comes the hard part. Going to Kansas City short handed is always a tough prospect. Fortunately, Kansas City is not at full strength either. United killer, Eddie Johnson, is in Venezuela. Greg Vanney will make his first start with United, possibly on the left side of the back line. With Boswell, Olsen, and Moreno out of the country, I expect the starting eleven to be Emilio, Addlery, Gomez, Fred, Moose, Carroll the Elder, Vanney, McTavish, Gros, Namoff, and Perkins a 4-4-2 formation. Dyachenko and Simms should get in during the second half.

Remember, this is a 1 PM Wednesday start. Don't forget to program your DVRs if you won't be home in the afternoon on the 4th.

Prediction:

DC United 1:1 Kansas City Wizards