KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- In their season series this year, the Columbus Crew outscored the Kansas City Wizards 8-4, winning two of the three games with one draw.
But that was then, and this is now. And even though the Crew are perhaps the team most capable of an offensive explosion in the MLS Cup Playoffs, don't count on it in their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the "new" Wizards (est. Sept. 13).
That was the date Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo filled out the lineup card against the high-octane Los Angeles Galaxy offense with Davy Arnaud and Jack Jewsbury in central midfield and new acquisitions Herculez Gomez and Abe Thompson at wide midfield and forward respectively. The result: A 2-0 shutout victory. The Galaxy would have to put in the rest of their league-leading 55 goals against someone else.
"With Davy and Jack and their effort in the middle of the field, it really sets the tone that we're going to press and defend fervently throughout the field, and by winning 50-50 balls and by winning second knockdown balls, we put ourselves in position to win games," said veteran goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. "That's something that has really permeated the team."
After stuffing MLS Golden Boot winner Landon Donovan, Edson Buddle, David Beckham and Co., the Wizards finished the season by winning four of six with one draw to earn a then-improbable playoff berth. Two more shutouts meant the Wizards tied with Columbus and the Chicago Fire with the most for the season at 10 apiece.
"As of late, we haven't been giving up a ton of shots, which means we're denying service, we're blocking shots, and just really, tactically, we've been very disciplined," said Hartman. "For me, one of my strengths has been being able to help guys and make sure, along with the help of Jimmy [Conrad], our shape is right. We're getting the most out of the guys."
Onalfo is quick to point out that the Wizards' defense has been strong all year and that the change in the club's play has not been all defensive. But the Wizards and Crew last faced each other on July 17 (a 3-3 draw at Crew Stadium).
"Certainly, over the last eight weeks we've gotten a lot better [defensively]. We're not giving away as many chances, and, at the same time, we're creating a lot of chances," said the second-year boss. "That's a really nice balance because often when you are putting a lot into your attack, you end up opening yourselves up on the other end."
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Saturday, against the Supporters' Shield winners at the Wizards' CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Kansas City's exposure to the counterattack will have to be limited severely.
"When they knock it up to [forward] Alejandro [Moreno] and drop it back to [Argentine playmaker Guillermo Barros] Schelotto, then all of a sudden you have guys like [wide midfielder] Robbie Rogers shooting out of the midfield," Hartman said. "It comes down to us pressuring them in the right spots and recognizing their danger on the counter. Even while we're attacking, we need to be prepared defensively for whatever may come our way."
While the Wizards have high regard for the Crew's capabilities -- second in goals scored to the Galaxy in the regular season -- they are fully confident they can bottle the danger and speed of their opponents.
"Jimmy and I want to make sure we're in good spots, because if we get pulled out [of the middle], they have fast guys like Rogers and [Eddie] Gaven who can punish you," said Tyson Wahl, Conrad's center back partner. "We're excited and ready."
Arnaud and Jewsbury will help anticipate in the center of the park and shutdown Schelotto while second-year back Michael Harrington and rookie Jonathan Leathers will need to hassle Rogers and Gaven on the flanks.
"Jonny Leathers is somebody who has really canceled a couple of really big threats in the last couple of games in [New England's] Khano Smith and [San Jose's] Darren Huckerby. We have a ton of confidence in him at this point," said Hartman.
"I have enormous confidence in Jonathan Leathers and Michael Harrington. They're very good defenders, and they're also very fast defenders," said Onalfo. "They've done a really nice job over the last eight weeks in their positions, and I don't expect anything different in the playoffs."
Hartman says he "feels fresh" and the "energetic and intense" defense in front of him couldn't be in better form allowing under a goal a game in their last seven. The combination could well be a recipe for success.
"The teams that have seen us [since Sept. 13] have had a difficult time breaking us down. Columbus is a very good team, definitely a lot of weapons. So it's going to be an interesting matchup," said Gomez. "This whole time we've been putting challenges in front of us -- let's be up for it. And thus far we have been. [The key] is continuing to do those things that have given us that success."
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