Preview of Game 28 - DC United vs Kansas City Wizards

DC United travels to Kansas City for a rare (perhaps unprecedented?) Friday night matchup against the Wizards. United could all but clinch the Eastern Conference #1 seed with a win and force Chivas USA to be perfect to have any chance of catching them for the Supporter's Shield. United are on an eleven game MLS regular season unbeaten streak (9-2-0, W-D-L) United's last loss was also their last road loss, losing to NYRB on July 22, 1-0. Kansas City has had success against United this season, dealing them their only home loss, 4-2, in April and losing to United 1-0 in KC. United's road record is 6-3-5 and they have a +7 goal differential. DC are currently in 1st place in the Eastern Conference, four points clear of New England. DC United also leads the Supporter's Shield race, five points clear of third place Chivas USA who hold a game in hand.

Kansas City Wizards are currently clinging to one of the last playoff spots. If the playoffs began today, DC would be traveling to Kansas City to begin a home and home. So this game is significant for a few reasons: Kansas City needs the points, United wants the Supporter's Shield, and both teams want to make a statement for the potential playoff games in a few weeks. Kansas City are an average home team with a 7-2-5 (W-D-L) record and a +4 goal differential. The Wizards are coming off of consecutive one goal losses to the Los Angeles twosome, Chivas USA and LA Galaxy. Kansas City is in 4th place in the Eastern Conference, seventeen points behind DC United. They are also in seventh place in the Supporter's Shield race.

United continue to do what is necessary to win the Supporter's Shield. A tie on the road and wins at home get it done. This weekend Chivas travels to Real Salt Lake for an almost assured three points Chicago and New England travels to Chicago. Fred didn't travel with the team and Moreno is nursing a sore ankle, so I expect United's starting eleven to be Emilio, Dyachenko, Gros, Gomez, Olsen, Simms, Burch, Vanney, McTavish, Namoff, and Perkins. I also expect the top subs to be Kpene, Carroll, and Boswell. Kansas City have two starters, Arnaud and Conrad on Red Card Vacation, so what I previously had marked down as a tie should be a win.

Predictions:

DC United 2:1 Kansas City Wizards
Chivas USA 3:0 Real Salt Lake
New England Revolution 1:1 Chicago Fire