Springfield MO Soccer

By Kurt Austin, KC Wizards Correspondent and Mizzou Soccer Club President

When the Wizards take the field Sunday at Arrowhead, they won’t have won since June 2nd, one day short of exactly a month. That stretch includes back-to-back losses; first to Columbus who had only one win prior and then a home loss last week to Houston in which the Wizards were shutout for the first time this season. Needless to say in such a case, Kansas City will want nothing short of a win on Sunday and even then, an emphatic one would do wonders for a team that hasn’t won by more than a goal since late April, 10 games ago.

Their opponent then? Toronto. Their opponent now? Toronto.

So can the boys in blue repeat their 3-0 drubbing of the Canadians? All signs say they should. The Wizards are 2-0 this season versus expansion-side Toronto, also winning 1-0 away on April 28th. Toronto, in last place in the Eastern Conference, has scored just two away goals in 5 games and are 0-4-1 on the road, both MLS worsts. They have also allowed a league-high 21 total goals. Further complicating their chances is the absence of several players: center back Tyrone Marshall (traded to Toronto earlier this month and serving a suspension from a red card received when with Los Angeles), right back Marvelle Wynne (with the US Team currently competing in Copa America), and reserves Andrea Lombardo, Cristian Nunez, Stephen Lumley, Nana Attakora-Gyan, and Gabe Gala (all with Canada’s U-20 Team currently competing in the U-20 World Cup).

Kansas City, too, will be without captain Jimmy Conrad and the league’s leading scorer Eddie Johnson (both with the US Team). In Johnson’s absence the Wizards are yet to win (0-2-1). Conrad and Johnson will miss at least the next two matches and perhaps more if the US team is successful in advancing out of the group stage at Copa America in Venezuela.

First-string keeper Greg Sutton is expected to return for Toronto, after missing four games with an injury and serving the Canadian National Team. Sutton has the worst goals against average of all keepers who have played 400 minutes this season, at 1.88.

Todd Dunivant could make his Toronto debut, after being traded from New York Red Bulls earlier in the week for fellow left back Kevin Goldthwaite. This was the latest in a series of moves made by Toronto coach Mo Johnston this season, with the likes of Alecko Eskandarian, Conor Casey, Edson Buddle, and Richard Mulrooney all traded away.

Once again first place in the Eastern Conference will be on the line, as both New England and New York lost on Saturday, leaving Kansas City a win away from catapulting both. The game is one of five home games in July for Kansas City and could be a crucial chance to recover from their recent slump.

Besides the Wizards’ well-documented failure to score first (the streak is now at seven and counting), a lack of a consistent scoring threat to stand in Johnson’s shoes has become alarmingly apparent. Scott Sealy has replaced him in the starting lineup the last three games, but certainly not on the scoresheet. After leading the team in scoring last season with 10 goals, Sealy has just one goal and one assist this season – both in the first game. Yura Movsisyan has provided a much needed spark off the bench. His three goals, all as a second half substitute, are good for second-most on the team. Could he perhaps break into the starting lineup Sunday?

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. and will be televised on MetroSports, Direct Kick, and MLSLive.tv, and broadcast on 1340 AM in Spanish. The game is a Family Four Pack promotion and fireworks will be shown after.