Evans showing goal-scoring touch

COLUMBUS -- That there is a goal scorer's mentality lurking inside of Brad Evans is no coincidence.

The second-year Columbus Crew center midfielder has a goal in each of the past two games and four for the season to help his squad into a first-place tie in the Eastern Conference with New England heading into Saturday's match at FC Dallas.

He has scored on the counterattack and with driving headers that would make a forward proud. In fact, that's where he played for the University of California-Irvine, netting 31 career goals.

When Evans gets around the box, he knows what to do.

"I've been there before through college. I scored a few goals," he said.

Crew coach Sigi Schmid drafted him last year but wasn't sure what role Evans would fill.

"I had him with the [U.S.] under-20 team and saw him quite a bit in college," said Schmid, whose son Kyle is senior defender for UC Irvine while another son, Kurt, is now an assistant for the Anteaters. "I felt at that time in the draft when he was still available, he was a good athlete. I didn't know what position he was going to play because he was a forward in college and in the under-20s I played him at center back a little bit and outside back. Eventually I figured he would end up somewhere in the midfield."

Evans recalls playing one game at center back for the U-20s, "I also played right back at the under-20 championships. I think I even played left back at one time. It's good. It puts you on the field but you like to find your niche. Center mid is where I'll be playing."

In many respects, Evans is still finding his way through the pro game after an aborted first year. He appeared in four matches but missed the final 16 games because of a strained left hip flexor.

"I look at this as my rookie year because I was healthy for about two months total," Evans said. "I'm looking at this as a fresh start and blessed to be healthy right now. You're healthy all through college, you get a shot and you're all excited. You come in and things happen. You work hard to get back. I didn't touch a ball until January. I'm super happy to be healthy."

His offensive skills are one reason the Crew is third in league scoring with 34 goals. Finding openings has been important for Evans and the other midfielders, said forward Alejandro Moreno.

"The way we play I'm going to be up high with a lot of mobility, working side-to-side. In order for us to create some spaces there has to be some second runs from either Guillermo (Barros Schelotto) or the midfielders and we've been getting that," Moreno said. "As you see when we get that from Brad or Brian Carroll they're usually open at the top of the box with late runs. If we get good balls into them they've got a good chance to score. They're taking advantage of the opportunities."

Evans notched his first score in the second half at San Jose on May 10 on the end of a counterattack. The goal proved to be decisive in a 3-2 win.

"He always scored goals in college. He's had that capability. He's good in the air. He strikes the ball well," Schmid said. "I'm not surprised by his scoring. He and (Adam) Moffat and Carroll and the outside midfielders have given us goals. That's important to the offense.

"With Guillermo dropping off the front line a little bit and the outside forwards really getting into the attack, the defensive attention is on those four guys and sometimes the fifth guy is coming in. We've talked a lot about not getting in in advance of the play, coming in late. It's a lot harder for the defense to pick you up if you're running toward the box late. If you're there early they can sort it out."

Goal No. 2 for Evans ignited the Crew to rally from a 2-0 deficit at Los Angeles on June 21 into a 3-3 tie. Against FC Dallas on Aug. 16, his header off a Schelotto free kick in the 65th minute earned the Crew three points in a 2-1 victory. Last week he drilled another header for the third goal in a 3-0 win against Real Salt Lake.

He's not guaranteeing a continuation of his goal streak Saturday in Pizza Hut Park but, "If the service is there hopefully I'll be there. You always hope for goals but if they don't come, no problem, there's next week," he said. "I think I've found my niche in the middle. I guess it's a little knack for scoring and for me to get some points."

Hartman closing on MLS save mark

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Once again, 11-year MLS goalkeeper Kevin Hartman is on the verge of setting an all-time MLS record. If the former member of the Los Angeles Galaxy and the current Kansas City Wizards netminder makes 33 more saves on the season, giving him 1,137 for his career, he will eclipse idol Tony Meola at the head of a long line of talented MLS shot-stoppers.

The all-time save mark will stand next to his all-time shutout mark and his all-time win mark, and add to Hartman's already incredible career.

"I have ton of respect for Tony, somebody that was so successful here in Kansas City and played in the league. I always looked up to him, even when he was at [the University of Virginia] and playing in the Marlboro Cup. I think I watched it in New Jersey when they played on turf, I think in '90. Even in '89, I was watching a game, and I was pretty excited by Tony Meola," said Hartman. "To be mentioned along with him is something I'm humbled by."

But those marks are not the biggest story about Kevin Hartman and his career. Neither is his humble attitude nor his longevity -- Hartman ended last Saturday's game with 26,325 career minutes played, passing former Wizards midfielder and coach Chris Henderson for second place on the all-time MLS list in the eighth minute.

The story lies in why he does what he does.

"Every game that I go into, I try to make as many saves as I possibly can," said the UCLA product. "It's nice to know that [the record] is out there, but I want to keep my teams in games and give them an opportunity to win."

Hartman has won two MLS Cups in his time, and he knows the glory it brings. Thankful to Wizards head coach for having brought him to Kansas City, he wants to help bring that glory to others.

"You run out of opportunities to win championships, and that's what it's all really about. [Former Galaxy teammate] Danny Pena one time said to me, 'This might be my last opportunity [to win a championship].'" said Hartman. "As a friend of his, I wanted to do it for him. It's something I get excited about. But I feel like I'm always trying to help other people out and to prove myself, so it's always a constant battle."

And after a moderate 2007 season, Hartman used the offseason to get himself in top shape to help the Wizards reach the next level after gaining the Western Conference final last season. As a result, Hartman has played every minute this season and, more importantly, has been reborn as a top clutch shot-stopper in the league.

"[This year] he's been very steady. He's made the saves we've needed him to make at the right times. He's been making timely saves," said team captain Jimmy Conrad. "You just can't put a price on how valuable that is. He's been clutch for us this year, and we're going to have to continue to have him playing at a high level for the rest of the year."

In the 48th minute of the second half against FC Dallas last Saturday, the 34-year-old Hartman made his best save of the night as he extended high to his left to knock away a long-distance drive from 13-goal scorer Kenny Cooper to keep the Wizards to within one goal. It wasn't until stoppage time when Conrad pulled Kansas City level, but the job had been done.

"I have this huge sense of responsibility ... I felt like I owed it to the guys because the [Andre Rocha] goal in the first half was, I know the guy hit it well, but at the end of the day, it was from 100 yards out," said Hartman. "I feel like, if I can keep them close, sooner or later we're going to get it done."

The Wizards have nine matches left on the season to earn a playoff spot, and they can count on their stalwart in goal.

"I want to win a championship for these guys because maybe it's their last time. I want to win a championship because maybe this is my last time. I want to win a championship because maybe some of these young guys are going to be thrown down to the A-League if we're not successful," he said.

"As somebody that has been put in this unbelievable situation where I get to be the goalkeeper for a Major League Soccer team, and there's only 14 of them, I have this great responsibility," Hartman continued. "It's a challenge that I accept all the time."

Dynamo pleased with dominant show

HOUSTON -- The Houston Dynamo were well aware that Chivas USA had a depleted squad coming into Wednesday night's midweek match at Robertson Stadium.

They were also quite ready to quash the memory of allowing a season-high tying three goals, despite a 4-3 win against Real Salt Lake last Saturday at home.

That victory got the Dynamo into first place, but it was harder to enjoy. They scored four goals in the first half, but they had to come back and stave off a desperate Real team that wanted nothing to do with giving up their lead in the Western Conference standings.

So they zeroed in on Chivas USA, a team missing many key players including Ante Razov, who has always been the proverbial thorn in the Dynamo's side when the two teams meet.

And the result was a masterful first-half performance that resulted in four goals in the first 45 minutes for a second consecutive match. That hadn't happened in MLS in 10 years, since the L.A. Galaxy turned that trick in the 1998 season.

Brad Davis, who assisted on Stuart Holden's goal in the 11th minute, said the team was more than happy to take advantage of the Chivas lineup troubles.

After all, Houston was missing three key players of its own to international duty (Brian Ching, USA; Dwayne De Rosario and Pat Onstad, Canada).

"There is no question they are going to hurt when (Razov) and a guy like Maykel Galindo are out of the lineup," Davis said. "Seeing those guys out, there is no question we were happy. You are never going to complain when you not having to play against those guys."

In his post-game comments, Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear praised his team for a dominant first half and preserving the shutout in the second 45 minutes. Kinnear found nothing to complain about, even though his team has failed to score in the second half in two consecutive games.

"I thought the play, the movement in the first half especially, was just fantastic," Kinnear said. "The finishing and the defense were very good too. The attitude to win the ball back as soon as we lost it was impressive, and all around the finishing was there in all forms. There is not much more we could ask for tonight and we kept the shutout."

Kinnear said last weekend's performance wasn't necessarily the reason for keying in on the shutout. His team, he said, is good for a goal a game for the most part and getting a shutout should be good enough for three points.

"Anytime you want to keep it at zeros you give yourself a chance," Kinnear said. "The first thing we mentioned at halftime was that we have done enough to win the game, let's not do anything silly to let them back in it. I thought we were pretty disciplined in that aspect and we did what we needed to do."

Richard Mulrooney, playing for the first time since June 12 against New England said it was still important for the team to recover from the three goals allowed performance against Salt Lake.

"It was just one of those games the other night," said Mulrooney, who played in the team's reserve match last Sunday. "I can't really describe it, but we did make a few mental errors that we haven't made in awhile. But having said that I think we made up for it."

The Dynamo blew the game open with arguably the most dominant 24-minute span in team history.

Holden got things started in the 11th when he chipped the ball past Zach Thornton. Kei Kamara scored the first of his two goals 11 minutes later when he spun around a defender at the top of the area and slotted home after taking a pass from Richard Mulrooney.

Nate Jaqua cleaned up a rebound in the 28th minute and Kamara rounded out the scoring in the 35th minute when he took a perfect cross from Jaqua and headed past a helpless Thornton.

Kamara now has three goals overall since joining the team in a trade from San Jose last month. He also scored in the SuperLiga final at New England on Aug. 5.

"I am really just glad to be here right now," Kamara said. "I am playing with -- every game now -- the best players in the league. This is my third year now and I have been around a lot of good players, but now, being around these guys, they are making me better every time I step on the field."

Kamara nearly upped his Wednesday output to his first career hat trick, but he hit the post in the second half. He didn't need to be reminded after the game, and he actually looked sad when it was brought up.

"It was just meant to be that I was only going to score two goals tonight," he said. "But it was a good game overall by the team. Right now winning is all that matters and we got a really good victory tonight."

Real Salt Lake go back to drawing board

COLUMBUS -- It's back to the drawing board for Real Salt Lake after a second consecutive road loss.

The Columbus Crew took a 2-0 lead in the opening 25 minutes and never looked back for a 3-0 win that avenged a 2-0 loss to RSL in Rice-Eccles Stadium on July 12.

"We've got to take a couple of steps back quickly and sort things out defensively," RSL coach Jason Kreis said.

In the first match, the Crew were never able to gather themselves in the midfield because of constant pressure. In the rematch, Columbus had its way, going through the middle of the park and finding gaps behind the defense.

"This is another game where defensively I don't think we were quite there. We didn't have the energy or the commitment level that I've seen out of this group for a long time," Kreis said. "We started off that game like we had already played 45 minutes before the whistle blew. I was really disappointed in our guy's commitment level in the first half and against a team like Columbus, which is a very good team right now, they punished us."

RSL fell to 1-8-1 on the road and where it has been outscored 20-7.

"Every team goes through some tough times so this is it for us," captain Kyle Beckerman said. "We have to somehow get it together and find a result whatever way it comes. Pretty. Ugly. It doesn't matter. We've got to stick together and have to come out of it."

His words are foreboding since RSL plays four of the next six on the road.

"For a while I was saying our team was playing at a higher level on the road but with these last two road games it's hard to feel that way just because of the number of chances were giving away," said Kreis, alluding to the 4-3 loss at Houston on Aug. 16. "It's not even the number of goals were allowing. That game tonight could have been six or seven."

The Crew opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Guillermo Barros Schelotto was fouled to the left of the penalty area by defender Robbie Russell. Schelotto, 25 yards from goal, sent an arcing cross to the far post where defender Chad Marshall headed the ball past Nick Rimando.

Just 10 minutes later, Eddie Gaven got free in the right side of the box, cut back and was taken down by defender Nat Borchers. Schelotto calmly deposited his fourth penalty in as many tries this season.

"They had two set pieces. They really got us on our heels from the start," Beckerman said. "We never really seemed to get going and that set the tone for the game and we couldn't get out of it.

"They came out with good intensity that we didn't match. In the beginning they pushed us in, didn't let us out. It seemed to work to their advantage. They kept us in their half then the two set piece goals. Chad Marshall has been known to score off set pieces. He's very dangerous. He got a sniff tonight and put it away. On the PK, Eddie Gaven is a shifty player. He's a gifted player."

Real Salt Lake had five midfielders and only Kenny Deuchar up top but weren't able to contain the third-highest scoring team in the league. Brad Evans scored the third goal in the 55th minute after Gaven sent a service from the right flank.

"I thought we worked on (the formation) enough during the week but it seemed like some guys didn't know what they were supposed to do so it definitely hurt us because we weren't able to keep possession," Beckerman said. "We weren't able to get behind them. We expected to do better with that. It was more that we didn't keep the ball and we gave it away very cheaply and it hurt us."

He thought going into the match that his team was ready.

"We felt pretty confident coming in. We almost came back on Houston last week. We felt we scored some good goals. We can't really put our finger on it," he said. "Columbus had a good mentality to come at us and get on us right from the beginning and see if they could get an early goal, which they did. We were chasing the game after that."

Red Bulls stay hot, stun Dynamo

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The Houston Dynamo strutted into Giants Stadium as the hottest team in Major League Soccer, having won four consecutive matches during a seven-match unbeaten run, including a comprehensive drubbing of Chivas USA at midweek.

But it's the New York Red Bulls who leave the Meadowlands with that distinction following a 3-0 victory Sunday against the two-time defending MLS Cup champions.

The Red Bulls played without three starters for a variety of reasons, but it didn't seem to matter as New York claimed their third victory in a row and is now undefeated in five matches.

Juan Pablo Angel and Dane Richards put the Red Bulls two goals up before the game was a half-hour old, then Mike Magee continued his goalscoring streak on the hour mark to finish off the match.

Angel opened the Red Bulls' account in the eighth minute, powering a header at the edge of the six-yard box past Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad. Magee laid the ball off to Dave van den Bergh, who whipped the cross into the box that led to Angel's sixth goal in six games.

Angel nearly made it a brace before the game was 20 minutes old, but his attempted chip of Onstad off a defensive miscue went off the top netting.

For the second week running, a long ball by Seth Stammler led to a goal. After freeing Magee last week for a 50-yard run and goal, Stammler sprung Dane Richards down the right side. The speedy Jamaican blew past Wade Barrett, who missed on an attempted slide tackle, and slotted the ball past Onstad from eight yards out to make it 2-0 in the 27th minute.

Magee continued his tear on the hour mark as he latched onto a long ball from Diego Jimenez, who made his first MLS start, took a touch around Onstad and scored his fourth goal of the year and third in as many games to put the Bulls in front 3-0.

Danleigh Borman, who came on for van den Bergh in the 64th minute, should have added a fourth goal, but he put a pass from John Wolyniec wide of the net. Ten minutes later, Seth Stammler attempted to feed Wolyniec, who came on for Angel in the 64th minute, but the pass just eluded the veteran striker from Staten Island and rolled past the far post.

An apparent 85th-minute goal by Wolyniec was called back for offside.

With the win, the Red Bulls move into a fourth-place tie with rival D.C. United in the Eastern Conference. And having outscored opponents 9-1 in the last three games, the Red Bulls are now level on the year in goal differential. The Red Bulls are now 7-1-3 at home this year, while Houston drops to 2-4-5 away from Robertson Stadium.

With starters Jeff Parke (sprained ankle), Gabriel Cichero (suspension) and Jorge Rojas (visa issues) unavailable, Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio went with a 4-4-2 formation with Jimenez, the former Mexican youth international, making his Major League Soccer debut. Also playing in front of Jon Conway, who made four saves to earn his sixth shutout of the year, was Andrew Boyens, Kevin Goldthwaite and Chris Leitch.

Richards, who came off the bench to set up Angel's late insurance marker against Toronto FC last weekend, got the start in the midfield, joined by holding midfielders Juan Pietravallo and Stammler and van den Bergh on the left. Mike Magee, who has scored in three consecutive games for the first time in his career, partnered up front with Angel.

Sinisa Ubiparipovic replaced Magee in the 79th minute for Osorio's final substitution.

Houston had Pat Onstad, Dwayne De Rosario and Brian Ching back from midweek national team call-ups, but only the Canadian internationals started against the Red Bulls with Ching held out of the match as a precaution because of the artificial surface.

Stuart Holden, who scored in a 4-0 thrashing of Chivas USA on Wednesday night, was Dominic Kinnear's first change, coming on for De Rosario in the 56th minute. Geoff Cameron replaced Eddie Robinson in the 62nd minute and Corey Ashe came on for Craig Waibel in the 75th minute for Houston's final change.

The Red Bulls head to RFK Stadium Saturday night for a critical Eastern Conference clash with D.C. United while Houston, which suffered its first league loss since a 2-0 defeat by the New England Revolution June 12, returns home to take on the Chicago Fire next Sunday.

Preki, Chivas dissatisfied with effort

HOUSTON -- Chivas USA extended their winless streak to five games with a disappointing 4-0 loss to Houston Dynamo at Robertson Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Chivas head coach Preki was extremely dissatisfied with his team's performance.

"I don't think we had any strong points tonight," Preki said. "The better team won, they were sharp from the first minute, and that's the end of that."

"Tonight was a bad night overall for all of us," Chivas defender Shavar Thomas said. "We let them get on top of us very early, we didn't get a chance to play our usual game, get the ball down and play around."

The Red-and-White managed only five shots during the contest, compared to 13 launched by Houston. Backup Dynamo goalkeeper Tony Caig was forced into only two saves.

"I thought in terms of our chances, we didn't create very much," midfielder Jonathan Bornstein said. "When we did, it was a half-chance, if that. Basically, we didn't play very well and it didn't go our way."

Chivas also struggled defensively, allowing all four of Houston's goals in the space of 25 minutes during the first half. That total matches the most goals the Red-and-White have allowed in one half of play this season, tied with the four allowed during the second half of Chivas' April 26 match against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

"We came out in the beginning, and they jumped on us right away," Bornstein said. "I think the first two plays of the game were in our half. From the beginning, I don't think we defended very tightly."

"We weren't defending as a team properly," Thomas said, "and as a back four we need to start doing some of the things we did last year to protect the goal, because four goals in one half is not good."

The team felt that some encouragement could be taken from their second-half performance.

"I think in the second half we showed a little pride, we didn't give up much," Thomas said. "We came out there and we pressed in the second half."

"In the second half, we tightened down a little bit more," Bornstein said. "It was like defense first, don't give them another one because that would look pretty bad. We tried to get one to lift our spirits a little bit. We just played hard, and I thought we did a good job of not letting them score again."

While disappointed in his team's overall effort, Preki also complimented the Dynamo on their play, who lengthened their lead atop the Western Conference to five points.

"They were better," Preki said. "They came on the field ready to play, they were aggressive and they made plays when they needed to make plays.

Moving forward, the Red-and-White are focused on improving their play for the match against the San Jose Earthquakes this weekend. With 10 games remaining in the season, Chivas are sitting in sixth place in the West -- but are just two points out of third and the automatic qualification spots for the MLS Cup Playoffs.

"We have to move on," Bornstein said. "We have a game on Saturday we have to prepare for. We need a result, that's all there is to say."

Goal barrage leads Houston past Chivas

HOUSTON -- For the second time in as many weeks, the Houston Dynamo found the back of the net four times and came away with three points in the MLS Western Conference standings.

Kei Kamara recorded the first two-goal game of his career and Stuart Holden and Nate Jaqua added tallies as the Dynamo scored all four goals in the first half on their way to a 4-0 victory against Chivas USA. The Dynamo became the first time since the 1998 L.A. Galaxy to score at least four goals in the first half of two consecutive games.

Kamara narrowly missed what would have been a third goal in the 77th minute, but his shot hit the left post.

Backup goalkeeper Tony Caig made two saves and won his second match of the year filling in for Pat Onstad, who played in a World Cup qualifying game for Canada Wednesday. For Caig, it was his second shutout of the season and the Dynamo's eighth overall in league play, which ties them with the Chicago Fire in that category.

Richard Mulrooney played for the first time since June 12 and recorded two assists. Mulrooney was out with a knee injury, but did play in Houston's 4-1 reserve match win against Real Salt Lake last weekend.

With the win, the surging Dynamo increased their lead in the standings to five points ahead of Real Salt Lake. Playing without Brian Ching and Dwayne De Rosario, also away from the team playing in World Cup qualifying matches, the Dynamo extended their winning streak to four matches.

Houston is unbeaten in its last seven overall and the Orange have improved to 6-1-3 at Robertson Stadium.

Holden got things started in the 11th minute when he took a pass from Brad Davis and streaked down the left side toward Chivas 'keeper Zach Thornton. Cutting into the area completely unmolested, Holden scored his first league goal of the year when he chipped a shot over a diving Thornton for a 1-0 lead.

Kamara scored his first of the game 11 minutes later when he took a pass from Mulrooney, and with Shavar Thomas, spun around the Chivas defender and found some room in the area. After settling the ball, he snuck his rolling shot just inside the far post for a 2-0 margin.

In the 28th minute, Jaqua scored his second MLS goal in a Dynamo uniform when he converted a rebound just moments after Ricardo Clark hit the crossbar off a corner kick by Brad Davis. At first, it didn't appear that Jaqua's final touch crossed the line, but the linesman was perfectly placed to see the ball cross the line.

Kamara, Jaqua and Mulrooney teamed up again just 12 minutes later for the prettiest goal of the night when Mulrooney pushed the ball ahead to Jaqua who found some room just outside the left side of the box and fed Kamara with a perfect cross. Kamara was unmarked and sent a header by the outstretched hand of a helpless Thornton for a four-goal lead.

The Red-and-White had their best chance of the game in the 56th minute when Kraig Chiles got by the Houston defense and challenged Caig with the fourth Chivas shot of the match. Caig dove to his left, but Chiles pushed the ball too much to the right and the shot missed the near post by less than a foot.

With the win, the Dynamo improved to 4-1-4 all time against Chivas USA and avenged a scoreless tie against the Red-and-White at Robertson Stadium on May 3.

Chivas USA has only scored five goals in 12 all-time meetings against the Dynamo and have not found the back of the net against Houston since 2006. The Dynamo now have not allowed a goal to their Western Conference rivals in the last 573 minutes.

Chivas encouraged by improved effort

CARSON, Calif. -- Though Chivas USA failed to gain the full points from their California rivals, the San Jose Earthquakes, in Saturday's scoreless draw, players and coaches alike were heartened by the improved play of a team that was shellacked by the Houston Dynamo 4-0 in their last game.

It's been a tough period for a team that has made a lot of changes since the start of the season. Some of the moves were foreseeable, such as the transfer of goalkeeper Brad Guzan that led to the arrival of league veteran Zach Thornton.

Against the Earthquakes, Thornton was especially looking to redeem himself after giving up four goals in one half of play to the Dynamo at midweek.

"It was very important [for Chivas USA to come back with a good game]," said Thornton. "We started well and had a good second half and limited their chances."

Though Chivas USA controlled much of the play, Thornton did his part to keep his team's clean sheet, making a highlight-reel save on a Ronnie O'Brien shot in the 85th minutes.

"I think tonight was Zach Thornton's best game since he's been with the team," said midfielder Sacha Kljestan.

Chivas USA pushed forward, looking for the goal in the game's final moments, but the Earthquakes also had their chances to steal the game. Darren Huckerby's shot in the closing seconds of the game was saved by Thornton.

"I just wanted to keep it zero and give the team a chance to get their goal," said Thornton.

Though Thornton wasn't with the team the last time they faced San Jose on July 5, it was a late-game goal that won that game.

Ante Razov and Alecko Eskandarian had a few opportunities for Chivas USA, but their definition was lacking.

"We had like 10 chances," said Chivas USA coach Preki. "They had like one or two."

One Chivas USA stalwart was missed in the midfield, even as Sacha Kljestan returned to the field. Jesse Marsch is expected to miss five more weeks as his fractured jaw heals. Kljestan, who had been absent with the U.S. Olympic team then the full national team, did his best to compensate.

"It's always tough when you don't have a guy who has started every game of the season," Kljestan said. "In my two and a half years in this league, I think every game I've started, Jesse has as well. We have a good relationship. It's tough when you take out one of the links of the team that has been there since the beginning, but it happens to everybody."

Though it took the midfield a while to find their rhythm, Kljestan and his teammates created more opportunities in the second half.

"Paulo (Nagamura) and I did pretty well in the midfield," Kljestan said. "The guys who came in who aren't regular starters, like (Kraig) Chiles and Jorge (Flores), I think did real well too." Though the team didn't win, the clean sheet was an important boost to the team psyche as the squad heads to international play this Tuesday in the CONCACAF Champions League.

Thornton didn't think that the upcoming contest against Panama's Tauro FC had distracted Chivas USA from league play.

"We needed the points [vs. San Jose]." Said Thornton. "We needed to move up in the table if we're going to make the playoffs."

Kljestan believed the effort the team showed versus the Quakes indicated Chivas was ready to make a run.

"I don't think we really skipped a beat since I've been back," Kljestan said. "Things went well, just in the final third, we didn't get a goal."

Ever-positive attitude key for Zayner

COLUMBUS -- Keep the faith. That's what Jed Zayner did during the depressing moments when injuries kept him from playing for the Columbus Crew.

After suffering a serious left knee injury in training the week following the 2006 opener as a rookie, Zayner had another setback the following year and managed just two first-team matches totaling 20 minutes in 2007. "This offseason I took time to pray and meditate to just be strengthened internally, spiritually, mentally and physically and come out and be a good pro every day and be tough and be strong and be consistent," he said.

The defender used the power of prayer, a strong support group of family and friends and the Crew's training staff to make a full recovery this season.

The nine minutes he had off the bench last week vs. FC Dallas upped his total to 199 minutes in five appearances, including two starts. He has also started six reserve matches.

"There's ACLs and there's ACLs," coach Sigi Schmid said. "He had a pretty bad ACL and it took him a little longer to recover. He didn't have the best recovery from it so it delayed everything.

"My theory has always been however long you've been out -- and he was out pretty much 12 months -- then it takes six months to recover. It takes half that time to get back in the rhythm. So by the time he got back in the rhythm that season (2007) ended."

"If you watch now, he's back to 100 percent and playing well," said Crew defender Danny O'Rourke, a teammate of Zayner's for two NCAA championships at Indiana. "He's a tough guy. He pushed through. Jed's a talented defender. He's good with his feet. He's a good one-on-one defender."

Zayner made his first MLS start June 7 vs. San Jose and was also in the first XI Aug. 2 at Houston. He also had starts in two U.S. Open Cup qualifiers and friendlies against Independiente and West Ham United.

"He's helpful because he can play a number of different positions," Schmid said. "Actually, his left foot is pretty decent and he's been able to play outside back for us and in the middle. It's a matter of, with all young players, consistency day in and day out."

This season has been rewarding for Zayner because he admits to being apprehensive about staging a comeback.

"There's ton of doubts, tons and tons," he said. "It was tough coming back. Not only did I come back from my knee tear I also tore something else at the beginning of the year (2007) so I was coming back halfway through the season. I struggled into that with the speed of play and mentally trying to be strong."

The breakthrough came prior to this season.

"This past preseason was the defining moment. I felt like I was back to full fitness. I was one of the fittest guys on the team," he said. "It was a good feeling being able to go in strong and tackle guys really hard and be really, really aggressive without thinking about it.

"That was my main goal, to make the coach's job tough and come out and give it my all -- do everything I could and hope and pray for the best."

Zayner adds quickness to the team and is becoming better at distributing the ball under pressure.

"He's taken advantage of the chances he got and he's done well. He provides us with some pace in the back and is a guy willing to work hard," midfielder Brian Carroll said.P If you ask O'Rourke, he'll tell you that's a typical trait of the Indiana players. Of course, he's got the numbers now to back him. With the addition of midfielder Pat Noonan two weeks ago and former Chicago Fire defender Brian Plotkin training with the team, there are four Hoosiers in Columbus to continue the IU-Crew pipeline.

"It's so fun. We always joke around about it in practice with other guys, 'How many rings have you got? How many national championships?' " Zayner said.

Signing Plotkin to a developmental contract would give the Crew 10 former Indiana players in its history, one more than UCLA has provided.

Among the Hoosiers are Mike Clark, Todd Yeagley, Brandon Ward and Brian Maisonneuve from the inaugural Crew season in 1996, as well as Juergen Sommer and Ned Grabavoy.

"It's a nice little feeding system," said Zayner. "There's a huge connection. There were a couple of years when Mais was the only one and then he retired. Then we got Danny, myself and Ned and now Noonan and Plot."

Added O'Rourke, with just a touch of IU arrogance: "We should bring in the whole (Indiana) team, even recruits."

Red Bulls' new faces get defensive

E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Look below the surface, beyond the highlights and box score and you'll find Juan Pietravallo's contribution to the New York Red Bulls. The Argentinean defensive midfielder has been the critical ball-winner in the middle of the field for New York and has quietly excelled during the Red Bulls' most prosperous stretch during the season.

"I think he didn't come here to score goals, I think he came in here to do what he's doing now," Juan Pablo Angel said of Pietravallo. "He's a solid player, he's one of those hard, tough midfielders and he's showing that week in and week out. ... I think that he has shown the more he plays, the fitter he gets and the more important he becomes."

Pietravallo, one of four players Red Bulls coach Juan Carlos Osorio brought in as part of a midseason makeover, is still getting acclimated to the U.S. game, his teammates and the artificial turf at Giants Stadium. And as impressive as he's been in this stretch of three consecutive home wins, the best, he said, is yet to come.

"I think I have to get used to the pace of the game, also I have to get used to the league and my teammates," the 26-year-old from Buenos Aires said through a translator Sunday following the Red Bulls' 3-0 win against Houston Dynamo. "I think you're going to see the best Pietravallo in the future."

The well-traveled Pietravallo made his debut against the Los Angeles Galaxy, coming off the bench in the 89th minute. Since then he's been impressive in each of the Red Bulls' three consecutive wins.

"I think defensively, we look like a team now," Osorio said. "We probably overlooked the job that Juan Pietravallo has done in the last three games as an anchorman in front of the back four, but his contribution in my opinion is huge."

The task against Houston was certainly a daunting one, considering the Dynamo had come into Sunday's match unbeaten in seven matches and had won four games in a row, including a 4-0 drubbing of Chivas USA.

But Pietravallo, who last played for Veria FC in the Greek Super League, was exceptional against the two-time defending MLS Cup champions. His work in front of the Red Bulls defenders helped Jon Conway record the clean sheet, facing just four shots.

"He's a guy that, along with the back four, needs to break up plays," Dave van den Bergh said. "From an offensive perspective he needs to give it to the guys who are a little more creative than him. Everyone has their role on this team. He is a far better defender than anyone of us up front. ... He's been playing his role very well lately. That clean sheet also goes out to him."

It also goes out to Diego Jimenez, who made his MLS debut Sunday filling in for suspended Gabriel Cichero and an injured Jeff Parke. The 22-year-old former Mexican youth international, who was on the books of Tecos UAG, started alongside Andrew Boyens centrally in the Red Bulls' back four.

"I think Diego is one of those guys who took the chance today and great performance, great contribution," Osorio said. "I think he deserves to be praised because of the way he played today against very tough strikers."

Jimenez was not only solid defensively, but he also picked up his first MLS assist when he sent a long ball from the left touchline that found Mike Magee, who took a touch to the right of Houston goalkeeper Pat Onstad and scored his third goal in as many games.

"I think I'm happy because these things happen in the game," Jimenez said through a translator. "To be honest, I never thought the ball was going where it went. That pass is coming well and I'm to do my part in the game for the victory."

Perhaps the most impressive part of Sunday's decisive win was that it came without three starters. The Red Bulls have battled adversity in each of their three victories, which is a good sign as they head down the stretch.

"On the side we're missing three big players, but it's important that we have to see a team, not just individuals on the team," Pietravallo said. "The team that wins championships is the team that has the best 11 players and not individual players."

Jamaica, Canada play to draw in Toronto

TORONTO -- Canada and Jamaica played to an exciting 1-1 draw in the opening match of semifinal round in CONCACAF qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The draw continued two disappointing trends for the Canadian side. It marked the third consecutive time that Canada has failed to win its group stage opener, and the Maple Leafs are now 2-4-6 in their last 12 group stage and final stage World Cup qualifiers held on their home soil.

As for Jamaica, the 52nd-minute goal from Real Salt Lake's Andrew Williams, just five minutes after Julian de Guzman gave Canada the lead, clinched a valuable road point for the Reggae Boyz. Jamaica is now 2-0-3 in group stage opening matches since CONCACAF adopted its current qualifying format in 1992.

Dwayne De Rosario and Pat Onstad of the Houston Dynamo and FC Dallas' Adrian Serioux made the Canadian lineup, while Toronto FC's Greg Sutton and Jim Brennan were on the bench. The only MLS regular in the Jamaican starting XI was Real Salt Lake's Williams, with Colorado's Omar Cummings on the bench and TFC's Tyrone Marshall sidelined with a hip injury.

The opening minutes were largely uneventful, as both teams held the ball while testing for cracks in the opposing defensive formation. It took eight minutes for the game's first shot, a mild effort from Canada forward Rob Friend that was easily handled by goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.

While the action on the field was quiet, the opposite was true in the stands. A large Jamaican contingent at National Soccer Stadium loudly supported their side, which only compelled the Canadians in attendance to root harder for their boys. It seemed at times to be close to a 50-50 split in terms of allegiances between the 21,978 fans on hand in Toronto.

The Canadian fans had the most to cheer about when Canada picked up the first significant chance of the game in the 13th minute. A De Rosario free kick bounced off a Jamaican player's head and flew dangerously close to the open right side of the net before going out of the bounds. The subsequent corner found the goal area but was easily cleared away by the Jamaican back line.

While Canada was the side pushing the pace and mostly controlling the ball, it didn't translate into any further scoring chances in the first half-hour of play. The Reggae Boyz did a quality job of clogging the middle to break up passes, while the Canadians did a bit of self-sabotage by picking up needless fouls, the most significant of which earned De Rosario a booking in the 25th minute.

The Jamaicans, meanwhile, began to come alive on attack. A cross attempt just missed the head of striker Deon Burton in the 33rd minute, and less than a minute later, another cross sailed dangerously deep into Canada's territory before being cleared away in front of the net.

A closely fought first half came to a close with one final quality chance in extra time. Williams was booked for a foul just outside the area, which gave Canada a free kick from 25 yards out. De Rosario lined a solid high kick over the wall but also over the Jamaica net as well.

The second half began with a bang as it took just two minutes for Canada to capture the first goal of the game. A De Rosario cross found Tomasz Radzinski on the left side of the net, and it initially looked as if Radzinski wouldn't be able to control the ball. The striker managed to get a foot on it, however, and made a back pass to Julian de Guzman, whose shot eluded Ricketts and found the right side of the net. It was the fourth career international goal for de Guzman, who stars for Deportivo La Coruna of La Liga in Spain.

The Reggae Boyz came right back with the equalizer just five minutes later. Williams took a corner from the left side that curled towards the net and seemed to confuse Onstad. The ball bounced off of the 'keeper's chest and into the net. It was the 13th career international goal for the RSL midfielder, who has been a fixture for Jamaica since the Reggae Boyz appeared in the 1998 World Cup.

With two goals scored in a five-minute span, the atmosphere became even more electric as the Canadian and Jamaican supporters raucously cheered on their respective sides. Jamaica nearly scored again shortly after the Williams goal, as a booking given to Serioux resulted in a near-miss free kick.

The momentum was beginning to swing in Jamaica's favor, but the Maple Leafs responded with a great scoring chance in the 71st minute. De Rosario held the ball in the Jamaica end, and the former two-time MLS Cup MVP attempted to find a crossing partner. After one attempt was blocked, De Rosario got the ball back and centered a pass that bounced off two bodies and ricocheting to Ricketts. The midfielder was on the spot a few moments later, this time, receiving a cross, but De Rosario's header was stopped at point-blank range.

Desperate for the go-ahead goal, Canada head coach Dale Mitchell inserted the red-hot Ali Gerba into the match in the 78th minute. Gerba scored three times in two games against St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the previous round of qualifiyng.

Pressing late, Canada nearly scored on a booming shot from de Guzman, but the midfielder's shot sailed just over the net and the outstretched hands of a leaping Ricketts. In the 90th minute, De Rosario was nearly able to capitalize on a fumble from Ricketts, but defender Ian Goodison was in position to clear the ball.

As the game moved into stoppage time, it was Jamaica who threatened with a number of crosses and shots that evaded the Canadian back line, but no serious shots were taken.

The next matchday in CONCACAF qualifying is Sept. 6, when Canada will play host to Honduras in Montreal and Jamaica will host Mexico in Kingston.

Improved Crew eye benchmark

COLUMBUS -- On the list of ways to improve the team and make the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004, two items were crossed off after the last match and another big one looms for the Columbus Crew on Saturday when they play host to Real Salt Lake.

A 2-1 win against FC Dallas gave the first-place Crew their 10th win of the season and sixth in Crew Stadium, surpassing both totals of last season.

"We want to keep winning at home. We have one more win than we had last year (at home). I don't think that's enough," midfielder Robbie Rogers said of the 6-2-2 record.

With an overall record of 10-6-4, the Crew have 10 games to equal last season's unflattering total of 37 points in 30 games. Don't think for a moment that's not a big deal.

"Of course, we have those (numbers) in the back of our heads," midfielder Brad Evans said. "The most important thing is winning. We'll take it one half at a time, score the goals we need to score and we'll do the job. We're getting closer to our point total with 10 games left so our goal is to eclipse that. The wins will come; we'll ride this wave and see what happens."

Coach Sigi Schmid broached the subject during his postgame press conference on Saturday and judging from comments from the players it was a hot topic in the locker room prior to the match.

"We have 34 points now. If we win the next game it's very important, we have the same points as last season with nine games left," defender Gino Padula.

Schmid said the Crew's place in the Eastern Conference standings is not relevant at the moment. With New England hosting D.C on Wednesday and Chicago at Los Angeles the following night, the Crew could enter their next match in third place.

"I'm not focused on first, second or third. I'm just focused on the points. What we talked about before the game is that by the end of next Saturday (vs. RSL) we want to have 37 points. We want to have the same amount of points in 30 games last year then we can start adding some things on that," Schmid said. "That's our goal. If that puts us in first place, great. That's a great place to be and a reflection of what this team has done and what has worked for us. We want to get more points and more points."

The Crew understand they are getting closer and closer to having enough points to qualify for the postseason.

"I think everybody who breaks 40 should get in," Rogers said. "The East is very strong and everyone's starting to make the final push. If you get 41, 42 you should be all right but I don't want to say that and jinx it."

Said Padula: "If we get to maybe, 43 points in the next in four games we're in the playoffs."

"I want that little asterisk next to the Columbus that says 'clinched a playoff spot,'" Schmid said. "Whether that happens when we're in first place, second place or third place doesn't matter to me as long as that asterisk gets next to our name as soon as possible.

"There are only four teams that have a winning record, maybe five. ... To be one of the few teams to have a winning record, you have to remember, MLS is set up for everybody to go .500. That's the real prognosis of the league. They'd like to see everybody .500. When you're above .500 that means you're doing something right."

Such as rallying again for a good result. In the previous two home matches they fell behind 2-0 but forged draws. FC Dallas went up on the 100th career goal by former Crew striker Jeff Cunningham in the 35th minute before Guillermo Barros Schelotto set up goals by midfielder Brian Carroll and Evans in the 62nd and 65th minutes for the win, despite being outplayed in the opening half.

"The difference between this year and last year is they can have a bad moment like that -- as I said to Robert (assistant coach Warzycha) when we were sitting there, if we get in (at halftime) only down 1-0 that's good," said Schmid. "We didn't get annihilated the first half even though we played poorly and we had the character to come back and get three points.

"Every time you play the game you've got to figure out a way to win. You have to figure out how to win when you're not playing well. You've got to figure out how to win when you're playing well and when you're dominating games. At Houston two weeks ago I thought we were the better team and got nothing. At Colorado we probably got outplayed a bit and got something."

Versatile Harrington key to K.C. hopes

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- For the Kansas City Wizards, Michael Harrington could be one of the biggest X-factors by season's end.

The versatility of the second-year player showed with his switch to right midfield from left back, which has allowed Wizards boss Curt Onalfo to reunite the dynamic Davy Arnaud with newly acquired Josh Wolff up front. Harrington's speed and crossing ability provides the Wizards attack with another legitimate threat.

But few expected what unraveled in last Saturday's match with the Colorado Rapids -- it was an event that brought to light another quality of the 22-year-old. After challenging for a head ball in the Wizards penalty area, Harrington fell almost horizontally as his head hit the ground followed quickly by his shoulder, which took the force of his 170-lb. frame.

"Right away, I knew that something wasn't right," said Harrington. "I couldn't really even move it all that well after that. But somehow I ended up scoring a couple minutes later."

Having apparently survived without a broken clavicle, Harrington continued to play, though laboring very visibly. And then he lifted his team who had labored through the first half by scoring the equalizer in the 44th minute when he put in the rebound of a Sasha Victorine shot.

A dose of pain pills and a tight wrapping at halftime enabled Harrington to push aside the intense pain until he was taken out in the 70th minute. But he had pushed through the obstacle to triumph personally in a situation with which he was not familiar.

Fortunately for Harrington, he will be back on the field this Saturday when the Wizards play host FC Dallas in a crucial match at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the injury just a separated shoulder that held him out of training until Thursday.

"I thought it was going to be something that was going to actually put me out of some games for a while," said Harrington. "I've never really had any serious injuries that kept me out -- knock on wood. I've got to be smart with it and not go into any stupid challenges."

Harrington's reaction was an example to his Onalfo's call for all of his players to win their individual battles, to defeat the opposing player he is matched up with on the field.

"Michael's a warrior," said Onalfo. "Probably his biggest strength is his fitness, so it's just a matter of us helping him technically and tactically. [The incident] is a tribute to how hard of a worker he is."

When the parts of Harrington's makeup are put together, it is clear he is becoming a well-rounded player; the refining of those abilities is what is now needed to truly make Harrington a player that each team looks at as one they need to mark out of a game, another type of X-factor.

By switching Harrington to right midfield, Onalfo has enabled Harrington to add a spark to the Wizards attack.

"We think he can be a threat offensively. Three games in, he's scored one goal. It's proven to work," said Onalfo.

"I've done well with [scoring from the midfield]," said Harrington. "I don't necessarily consider myself a goal scorer; I'm more of an assist man. I've found a way to score some goals. Hopefully, I can keep that going."

A year ago, Harrington allied three goals and four assists while playing in both the midfield and in the back. The excitement of being a larger part of the attack is palpable in Harrington's voice.

"I feel like I can flow with the game more, use my speed, and combine with [forwards] like Davy and Josh," said Harrington. "Those are guys who really like to combine and play a good brand of soccer. It's really fun to play with those guys."

But not all has gone the North Carolina product's way in recent days. Instead of being named to the U.S. team that recently competed in the Beijing Olympics, Harrington was named only an alternate.

"I was very disappointed that I wasn't on that team. I felt like I should have been. But that's the coach's decision," he said. "I felt like I played well enough during the season here to warrant at least being on the team, if not starting."

The Olympics gone, Harrington's international focus turns to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, but just being called up for the full national team would be a "lifelong dream." And it seems to be in reach for the well-equipped Harrington, but some might call his ambitions a bit lofty. No worry, he is well aware of the growth needed in his play.

"I can play a multitude of positions -- left back, midfield. I feel like I could go in there and do well. But I'm not quite there yet. I have some improving to do, a lot of work ahead of me. But, here, in the near future, I hope to be there in the World Cup in 2010," said Harrington.

Harrington said getting more experience and learning how to play quicker is a large part of the improvement.

"I'm still making that transition [to the pros]. It's only my second year in the league," he said. "From this year to last year, I can already tell a big difference in how I feel about my game, how confident I am. It's fun going out on the field and saying, 'Hey, I'm one of the best players on the field right now. I'm going to make my influence on the game.'

"A couple of years from now, hopefully, I can continue to get more and more confident, learn, and just get better. If I can do that, I don't think I'm far off from that team."

The bigger the knockdown, the more the bleached-blond Harrington gets up. That's good news for the Wizards who will need their right midfielder to be a difference maker in the last third of the season as they surmount obstacles and push for the playoffs and beyond.

United search for consistency, injury relief

WASHINGTON -- Some things have simply not gone according to plan for D.C. United head coach Tom Soehn this month. The second-year boss can certainly feel pleased to have secured a berth in the U.S. Open Cup final and a quality new goalkeeper in Louis Crayton, who will make his home debut against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday night.

But relief from United's injury epidemic remains elusive -- and it's no coincidence that the squad's long-standing search for consistency continues as well.

Star playmaker Marcelo Gallardo's road back from sports hernia surgery has proved much longer than anticipated, while fellow Argentinean Gonzalo Peralta lasted just one game in his return from the same procedure before sustaining a hamstring strain. A designated player intended to be the fulcrum of the D.C. attack, Gallardo's absence has been particularly frustrating for all involved and while he has declined to discuss his situation with the media, his teammates recognize the predicament.

"You know, when you're injured and you don't get better after the surgery, it's very disappointing and I'm sure he is feeling that way," said team captain Jaime Moreno. "He is very disappointed, but you've got to do what you've got to do and for his part, I'm sure he is doing his best to try and recover as quickly as possible."

Striker Francis Doe would offer Soehn a valuable option up front, but his foot infection -- thought to have been tamed a month ago -- refuses to heal. The same goes for utility man Dominic Mediate, who continues to grapple with troubling after-effects from his concussion. The situation recently began to border on absurdity when goalkeeper Zach Wells added a particularly obscure condition to the list of ailments facing team trainer Brian Goodstein: sesmoiditis, an inflammation of small bones at the base of the big toe.

"It's always frustrating when you're missing guys, because you know you're not at top strength," said Soehn. "But unfortunately that's part of sports, so we have to deal with it."

Matters got worse in New England on Wednesday when midfielder Fred, lately showing promising signs of a return to top form, became the latest to fall prey to the hamstring bug. The new responsibilities of fatherhood -- a "change of life," as Soehn called it -- hampered his play earlier this summer. But the Brazilian has lately been one of United's more dynamic attacking forces and the team has been rocked by the latest prognosis on his injury -- he faces up to a month on the sidelines.

So this weekend's tilt with Colorado is likely to bring a return to a more defensive-minded lineup like the one Soehn used to good effect against Kansas City on August 2, with Joe Vide joining Clyde Simms as anchors in the middle of the park while Santino Quaranta and Ivan Guerrero work as two-way players along the flanks. The back line will have to be reconfigured again thanks to Marc Burch's suspension for yellow-card accumulation, though Gonzalo Martinez will return after missing the New England clash for the same reason.

All of this adds up to a pivotal role, and added pressure, for the club's newest face. Crayton might still be acclimating to life in the nation's capital, but he's already jumped straight into a starter's role in his first two matches and he'll need to be in top form as D.C. try to progress in the crowded Eastern Conference despite their shorthandedness. It's the reason United's search for a veteran netminder took months, and the 30-year-old's background in the Swiss league suggests that he's well-equipped for the challenge.

"As a professional you always have to be prepared, that is your job," said Crayton, discussing his immediate insertion in the D.C. first XI. "Being with Basel for three seasons as a backup 'keeper, this was something that I always had to deal with, being prepared mentally and physically, so it was nothing strange for me."

Crayton began his pro career as a teenager with a small Liberian outfit, then moved on to Switzerland's biggest clubs and with a bevy of international caps for his homeland's national team, he's performed in plenty of pressure-packed situations. His work in goal was a key element of Liberia's Cinderella run in 2002 World Cup qualifying, which saw the Lone Stars come agonizingly close to reaching soccer's biggest stage only to fall a point short of regional power Nigeria on the final day of group play.

The leader and financial underwriter of that effort was George Weah, one of the world's greatest players of the past two decades, and Crayton shares many fond memories with his legendary teammate, including a 2001 appearance at Giants Stadium against Colombia.

But despite the fact that he's just been selected for Liberia's latest squad, Crayton says his international career is done for now, and after years as a backup with Basel, he's eager to take a central role in United's playoff push.

"I was fed up with that condition," he said of his role with his previous club," and I felt that there was another step forward in my career, and I was willing to take the opportunity."

He's also well aware that the Black-and-Red have little margin for error in the weeks to come.

"Right now we cannot afford to lose any more games," he said.

Onalfo sees five keys for Wizards

KANSAS CITY -- Beginning with Saturday's home game with FC Dallas, the Kansas City Wizards have 10 games remaining in the rest of the 2008 season. Ten games to surpass a minimum of three teams to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs -- the main goal when the season began. Kansas City head coach Curt Onalfo believes there are five keys to accomplish their goal in what is the last third of the season.

The first, said Onalfo, is maximizing points at home.

Six of the Wizards last ten matches are at home, including five of the last seven. For a team that has barnstormed at home, mouths would be watering -- the Wizards aren't that team, yet. Adjusting to the tight confines of CommunityAmerica Ballpark has been troublesome, and the Wizards 17 points from nine home games does not reveal their home to be the "fortress" they wished for at the beginning. But the atmosphere has been everything Kansas City desired and more.

"The home-field advantage is really helping us," said Onalfo, "and we're more comfortable with how we play there."

The Wizards' 25 points, good for only a tie for sixth place in the Eastern Conference, demands that they get maximum points at home from here on. Having two of next three games on the road -- at San Jose and Houston -- further make this weekend's home encounter with FC Dallas critical.

Next, said Onalfo, is getting six points from the remaining four road games.

The home results had been tempered by Kansas City's success on the road until a 2-0 loss at D.C. United two weeks ago and a 2-1 loss last Saturday at Colorado. Overall, the Wizards have earned eight points in 11 away games, including only one victory.

"I'm very optimistic; I believe in this team. I wasn't pleased with the performance in Colorado," said Onalfo, "but we're moving forward."

Onalfo also wants to see his team "play every play like it's the last."

The Wizards can look to right midfielder Michael Harrington for this adage. A few moments earlier, Harrington had separated his shoulder after an aerial battle, but that didn't deter him from fighting in Colorado's area for a ball that he deposited in the back of the net to tie the match. A full 90-minute game includes numerous plays that determine the outcome. And for the Wizards, one game can determine their playoff fate.

In addition to playing every play, Onalfo wants his team to play every game like it's the last.

Playing every play like it's the last will likely produce a complete, well-played game, something K.C. has had trouble doing, whether it be a half here or a half there. That inconsistency has stalled recent chances for significant movement up the standings.

The first half in Colorado and the recent road losses are good examples, and those blips in performance must become a thing of the past. The Wizards have not won back-to-back games since the first two games of the season.

"The consistency just hasn't been there. In the position we're in, we need to put two, three, four wins together here and get on a roll," said Harrington. "It's realizing we're fighting for our lives right now. We have to realize we have to start produce every game, not just one game here, one game there."

Kansas City's playoff fate last season, like the two before it, went down to the last match. Every game could be the last in the Wizards' playoff hopes in the end.

Finally, Onalfo wants to see his charges win their individual battles.

Not only does winning individual battles apply to those on the field, but also to those responsible for their performance. When asked if Onalfo felt pressure from seeing two MLS head coaching vacancies open in the past few weeks, Onalfo laid his thoughts out straight.

"I'm in a business that is results oriented. But keep in mind that I took over a team that hadn't made the playoffs in two years, and we made it [in my first season]," he said.

"We have 10 games left in the season; I put enormous pressure on myself to succeed. Having said that, I feel very good about the work we've done here, the progress we've made, and the talent we have in our locker room. It's a matter of now making the most of the last 10 games of the season and finishing strong. It's a process in which we're developing good, young players and we have a good core group of veterans, and I have a very strong belief that we'll succeed."

Onalfo feels that taking 16 points from the last 10 games will find the Wizards in the playoffs at regular season's end. Those 16 would be better than the first two thirds of the season - 12 and 13 points, respectively. Sixteen more points would mean 41 points overall, one more than last season's total, which was only three above the Columbus Crew, who ended out of the playoffs.

The five missions for 10 games begin Saturday against FC Dallas. Fortunately, the Wizards will be near full-strength as Harrington seems on target to play, even though he didn't train through Wednesday, and forward Davy Arnaud's few knocks shouldn't keep him out.

Limiting their falters should see Kansas City into the MLS Cup Playoffs. As the season has gone on, the Wizards have improved -- now it's time for the next step.

"My attitude is, out of the last nine games, we've gotten 16 points. And, as we go into these last 10 games, we have a favorable schedule. We have to build on the fact that we were able to get points from the middle third of the season. [Then] we have to take care of business at home and find a way to get some results on the road," said Onalfo. "If we do, we're going to be in very good standing."