Real concerns surround World Cup 2010

NEW YORK -- U.S. Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati did not mince words when he spoke about some potential problems facing the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

For several years there have been international concerns about safety and security for the international fans, about whether there will be enough hotel accommodations and enough transportation to move people around and whether the stadiums will be finished on time.

"There are going to be some problems," Gulati said at a media roundtable Thursday that include World Cup Organizing Committee CEO Danny Jordaan and CONCACAF secretary general Chuck Blazer. "Let's be clear."

Gulati then rattled off some of the issues and challenges that faced previous World Cups, which were deemed by FIFA and international soccer officials as successful, from Mexico '86, when the audio feeds produced the wrong language for televised games in countries to the most recent tournaments.

A quick look at the issues facing South Africa 2010:

Security

Like it or not, but South Africa has a dubious reputation that crime is rampant in the country, especially in Johannesburg, the site of two venues. At last year's preliminary draw in Durban, Pieter Burgstaller, a former professional soccer player, was killed on a golf course 40 miles from Durban. FIFA president Sepp Blatter condemned the murder but said the incident had no implications for the 2010 event.

Jordaan, who visited New York City for a 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup briefing with local journalists, tried to allay the fears of journalists and potential tourists.

"Security is our No. 1 priority," Jordaan said. "Why? We want 1 million tourists."

He later added: "For a major event, it is important."

To ensure the tourists safety, 1.3 billion rand (US$128 million) has been spent to upgrade security, he added. The government is training 41,000 policeman and another 40,000 stewards for the event, which runs from June 11 through July 11, 2010.

South Africa has hosted several major sporting events since 1996, Jordaan said, including the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the African Nations Cup a year later and the Cricket World Cup in 2003, among others.

"Not a single incident," he said.

Foreign fans will be screened before they enter the country. And once they get there they will be scrunitized.

"We will have surveillance cameras that will be used around all major areas where people will gather," Jordaan said.

Blazer said that fans, tourists and media have to use common sense to not being at the wrong place at the wrong time. He brought up the fact that it would not be a smart move by anyone to be walking through Central Park in Manhattan at two in the morning.

Fan conduct

This is always a concern, especially if England qualifies. Germany and the Netherlands also have fans that have reputations of becoming violent before and after matches.

But Jordaan was optimistic, if a recent match involving England is any indication. Jordaan pointed out that that South Africa played England in Durban after Euro 2008. The English prevailed 2-1, as the traveling supporters celebrated until six in the morning, he added.

"It was the first time in a match that the England fans did not boo the national anthem of the other team," he said. "It is a sport that gives life and hope and creates an atmosphere of celebration and joy."

In fact, England and the rest of the world can learn a lesson or two from South Africa. A local derby between the Kaiser Chiefs and Orlando Pirates was moved from Johannesburg to Durban to showcase the sport and the game to the world at the World Cup preliminary draw last November. Fans of Orlando Pirates and Kaiser Chiefs not only got along famously, but they sat next to each other and cheered their respective teams on without incident.

Before any fans leave their home countries, they will be security checked by their own governments and Interpol, Jordaan said.

Accommodations

There aren't as many hotels in South Africa as there are in Germany or the USA. So there will be some creative ways to house fans, which includes bed and breakfasts, besides the usual hotels and motels.

Definitely more to come on this in the future.

Travel

It is easy to forget how big a country South Africa really is. While it is only a two-hour plane ride from Johannesburg to Cape Town, the nation is as big as Colombia (South Africa is the 25th largest country in the world). Add to the fact that train service is nowhere near as sophisticated or reliable as in recent World Cups in France (1998), Korea/Japan (2002) and Germany (2006), there have been serious concerns as to how those fans and tourists will be able to move around in an efficient manner.

"What we'll have to do is bring in additional airplines," Jordaan said.

That's 200 new airplanes to take care of the longer trips the increased capacity. For shorter hauls, the organizing committe is ordering 1,500 buses.

South Africa also is investing and upgrading its airports, Jordaan said. Johannesburg and Cape Town airports are undergoing a major renovation while a new airport is being built in Durban.

There also will be a train that will be the amenities of a five-star hotel that will travel between Cape Town and Johannesburg.

The recent economic downturn

The recent global financial crisis may preclude many fans from traveling to South Africa if economic conditions persist or get worse.

If the World Cup was held today, U.S. soccer fans would be in a position to afford South Africa. The rand, which was about seven to the U.S. dollar last year, has fallen to 11 to the dollar today.

"Even if you have few dollars, it will cost you for you to travel," Jordaan said. "It still will be affordable. I hope there will be an improvement (in the world economy in) ... 2010."

One of the legacies of the World Cup is to improve some of the South African infrastructure, Jordaan said, which includes massive improvements or major renovations of key airports to more rail capacity from the Johannesburg international airport to nearby Sandton, the business capital of South Africa.

The World Cup will create 1.5 million jobs. "Job creation is a key," Jordaan said.

Stadiums

Jordaan led off the roundtable discussion with a short DVD about South Africa and the World Cup, plus updates about all of the stadiums. According to the presentation and printed material handed to the media, all stadiums are to be completed by certain dates in 2009. Port Elizabeth, which was supposed to be a venue for the Confederations Cup, had to be pulled because it was behind reaching its deadline to be ready in June 2009.

Jordaan said the stadiums will be largest in recent memory, calling them "absolutely world class."

Ten stadiums will host the games in nine cities (two in Johannesburg). Existing stadiums will be upgraded and renovated or built from scratch.

Last year there were concerns that the Durban stadium was running behind schedule. That 70,000-seat facility is scheduled to open in October 2009.

If you're interested, Jo'burg will host the opening and final matches and the semifinals will be played Durban and Cape Town.

Jordaan relayed a story about the Bloemfontein people, who co-own the stadium in the Free State. The Bloemfontein people have discovered platinum and South Africa is the world's leading producer of the metal.

"The officials asked the people: 'what do you want?'" he said. "They didn't want houses or a job. They wanted a stadium."

And that's what they got.

Tickets

This traditionally has been a concern for fans who want to follow their national side or soak in the atmosphere at the greatest show on earth.

About 4 million tickets will be available for the event. There are four categories, which includes team-specific and venue-specific tickets.

South Africa has a population of 47 million. "We have to tell them that not everyone can get a ticket," Jordaan said.

Tickets will go on sale in the first quarter of next year.

The least expensive ticket is $10.

For U.S. fans, those who have purchase U.S. national team tickets in the past will have an opportunity to order World Cup tickets through a FIFA match website, Gulati said.

There also will be tickets for sponsors and a general public sale. "It will be based on supply and demand issues," Gulati said.

A total of 12 percent of a stadium's seats will go to the competing teams, an increase of 50 percent over Germany 2006.

"There is a shortage, whether that is good news or bad business," Gulati said.

For the first time in years, fans will be able to purchase land transportation and accommodations packages through four or five U.S.-based tour operators, Gulati said.

The South African team

It is not a direct concern of the organizing committee, although it is no secret that South Africa has struggled of late. It failed to qualify for the 2010 African Nations Cup, which was used to qualify for the 2010 World Cup (so, South Africa failed to qualify for its own tournament, but will participate as hosts). Former coach Carlos Alberto Parreira, who directed Brazil to the 1994 world championship and the MetroStars in MLS in 1997, recently had to step down because his wife had cancer.

"Our team does not put on the performance that puts fear in the hearts of our opponents these days," Jordaan said.

South Africa's challenge is a simple one. Every host team has managed to reach at least the second round, including the U.S. side in 1994.

The legacy

USA '94 was used as a platform to help launch MLS two years later. With approximately $50 million in surplus funds from that tournament, the U.S. Soccer Foundation was formed to fund various soccer projects (including the inner city and soccer fields), from youth to amateur and even media. Some $48 million has been handed out in grants, financial support and loans to various soccer organizations, clubs and leagues.

It remains to be seen how much, if any money, will be left over after this event to do the same in South Africa and the rest of the continent. Jordaan said soccer organizers "hope to create a foundation for the development of football."

"It's not just for South Africa, but for all of Africa," he said. "Each of the 52 countries will have an artificial turf [field]. There will be better pitches to play on."

Other goals are to use at least $10 million to put children back in school, Jordaan said.

Looking ahead (FIFA Confederations Cup)

The FIFA Confederations Cup, which is traditionally held a year prior to the big event for two reasons. One, the tournament is a dry run for the real McCoy, which gives organizers an idea or what to expect and what kinks have to be ironed out.

"The fact the Confederations Cup is held a year before the World Cup is not a coincidence," Gulati said.

when the United States hosted the Cup back in 1994, there was no Confederations Cup. Instead, the Americans held an event a year before called the U.S. Cup, bringing in Brazil, Germany and England to play at World Cup venues in Detroit, Washington, D.C. and Foxborough, Mass.

"It was dry run for us," Gulati said. "FIFA didn't ask us to do it."

The Confederations Cup takes the continental champions, the world titlist and the host country and puts them together for an eight-team, two week tournament (scheduled for June 14-28). The participants include South Africa (host), Italy (world champion), Brazil (South America), Spain (Europe), Egypt (Africa), Iraq (Asia), New Zealand (Oceania) and the U.S. (CONCACAF).

Four venues will handle the matches -- Johannesburg, Rustenburg, Mangaung/Bloemfontein and Tshwane/Pretoria.

The draw will be held in Jo'burg on Nov. 22.

Looking ahead (2010 FIFA World Cup)

So what will the 2010 World Cup be like? Well, it will be only the second World Cup played out of the Americas or Europe; Korea/Japan 2002 being the first.

"This will be closer to Korea/Japan than Germany," Gulati said. "We know it's going to be a spectacular event and we are looking forward to it."

Korea/Japan caused a number of upsets, including South Korea, who had never won a World Cup match before, reaching the semifinals before the co-hosts were eliminated in Germany.

The time zone will be the same as a good portion of Europe, but this World Cup will be played in one of the most southern countries (Chile in 1962 and Argentina in 1978 can only rival the South African event).

Jordaan predicted an unforgettable experience.

"That is going to be a celebration you have never seen in the World Cup," he said.

The soccer fans, observers and media of the world will have to wait some 18 months to see if Jordaan's hopes and prediction comes true.

Crew glad to be home for second leg

COLUMBUS -- In order to make the MLS Cup Playoffs after a three-year absence, the Columbus Crew knew they had to vastly improve upon their .500 record at home in 2007.

The Crew did so in a dramatic manner and Saturday night in Crew Stadium they will know if their diligence has been rewarded.

After pulling out a 1-1 tie at Kansas City in the first leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series last Saturday, the teams will cap the total-goals series in Columbus, where the Crew had an 11-2-2 mark, including a 7-0-2 run since June 7.

"It's pretty simple," forward Alejandro Moreno said. "We win and we're through. We understand it's our responsibility to carry the game."

There's more debate than in a presidential election over the fairness of a higher seed -- in this case, the Supporters' Shield winner starting a series on the road -- but after the Crew got the equalizer from reserve rookie forward Steven Lenhart in the second minute of stoppage time, Columbus is happy to have to deciding match in front of its fans.

"I've been a believer you always want to play the second game at home," coach Sigi Schmid said.

Just having home field is not enough to ensure the Crew will advance to the conference championship. Kansas City entered the match on a 5-1-1 run and had visions of taking a one-goal lead into Game 2 until Lenhart worked his late-match magic again. While he has five goals in limited duty, three have produced ties from the 87th minute on.

"He was the perfect guy for this type of game where the conditions are kind of tight. He can throw his body around and win rebounds," Moreno said. "It was a big goal for him, a big goal for the team and one you're going to need in order to be successful in the playoffs. We have a very good opportunity going home and doing the things we know how to do at home and trying to get a result."

Lenhart's goal alters the complexion of the series.

"It changes (Kansas City's) approach probably, more than anything," Schmid said. "If they had the lead they could come like 'Let's really sit in. Let's look to counter.' Now they have to play."

Because the Wizards won't be protecting a lead, the match should play more to the Crew's aggressive attack that has produced 51 goals. K.C. has 38 but only 15 in as many road matches.

Certainly getting off the tight field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark is a relief to the Crew.

"We created more chances but we couldn't buy a goal. They scored a great goal on a counter. We were getting close," Schmid said. "We've got to get better flank play. I don't think Robbie Rogers had his best game. Eddie Gaven didn't necessarily have his best game, either. With a little more space that will help us on the flanks. We still need to get Guillermo (Barros Schelotto) a little closer to Alejandro at times to help create more problems that way. On a bigger field we'll move the ball better. We just have to move it quicker."

Several of the Crew experienced their first playoff game and Schmid admitted that his team was unusually tight.

"It was good to get the nerves of the first playoff game out of the way," he said. "I think in Robbie's case there was a little bit of nerves at play. Gaven hasn't been in the playoffs for awhile. The most important thing was to get a game under our belt."

Moreno, a two-time MLS Cup champion, said the first game was what he expected.

"It was a battle. It was a struggle at times, perhaps not pretty but as long as were effective and efficient in getting the result we needed we're pretty content," he said.

Most importantly, he said, the Crew didn't lose their cool when Davy Arnaud put the Wizards ahead in the 53rd minute. Columbus has earned at least a tie in 10 of 17 games when it has allowed the first goal but the circumstances are different in the playoffs.

The Crew wanted to get the equalizer but realized going down two in an aggregate-goals series could be fatal.

"There's a cautious urgency where you're back going for the tie but at the same time you're trying to make sure you're not giving up anything in the back so you don't make a difficult score more of a uphill battle for the second leg," Moreno said. "We kept battling. We created some chances. Guillermo had a couple. Kevin Hartman made a couple of good saves on us."

If the Crew are going to take the next step toward their first MLS Cup they will have to battle history. Their playoff winless streak is at 0-2-4 since beating San Jose on Sept. 26, 2002, which was the only home postseason victory this decade. Since reaching the last of three consecutive conference finals in 1999, the Crew are 2-4-4 in the playoffs.

Defense can't hold on as Chivas' season ends

CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA needed goals desperately in Saturday's second leg of their Western Conference Semifinal Series against Real Salt Lake. Trailing the total-goals series by a goal, a quick response was necessary to keep the Red-and-White's playoff hopes alive.

And although Chivas USA struck in the first half, it was Real Salt Lake's quickness that ultimately decided the series. Dema Kovalenko scored nine minutes after Sacha Kljestan put the hosts ahead and Chivas USA never recovered as the two teams tied 2-2, a result that left Chivas USA out of the postseason.

"We came here, pushed the game, get a lead but we just couldn't hold on to it," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "There were a lot of little turning points in the series I feel like and we just ended up coming up on the short end of most of it."

Chivas USA have now bowed out of the MLS Cup Playoffs in the first round three years running. The difference from last year's exit was the offense, however, as a year ago Chivas USA lost on a 1-0 aggregate score.

On Saturday, Kljestan and Justin Braun scored on either side of halftime. Kljestan's goal was the one the club had longed for, converting a penalty kick in the 30th minute to level the aggregate score.

"I thought that was a good break for us," Marsch said. "When you get a goal that early, you've got to feel good about yourself. We felt good with the way things were going."

RSL, though, answered quickly. Needing to move forward to look for offense, the visitors found it as Morales picked out Kovalenko at the edge of the six-yard box for a lunging, glancing header inside the far post.

The goal destroyed whatever momentum Kljestan's penalty had given them.

"We wanted to push the game," Chivas USA forward Ante Razov said. "We pushed it and pushed it. We had chances in the fist half, got a goal and gave one right back before halftime. That was devastating."

With Chivas USA fighting and scrapping their way for a goal, the club had little time to try and add to their edge.

"After that it was very disappointing we gave up such a soft goal," Chivas head coach Preki said. "And then it's difficult in the second half. We had to throw people forward, make changes, adjustments and you leave gaps behind in the defense."

Alecko Eskandarian came on at halftime while Braun joined the fray 10 minutes later. But it was the visitors who struck again. Robbie Findley won a ball on the left corner of the penalty area and fed Morales on the left side of the box. Morales slipped a slow-rolling shot across the goal line from 15 yards out.

"The second goal was just absolutely soft, the softest goal ever," Preki said.

Zach Thornton started both playoff games. Dan Kennedy had been sent off in the season finale against Houston and Thornton replaced Kennedy in that match and ultimately for the remainder of the season.

"Zach was the No. 1 and Kennedy had a good spell and then he gets the red card," Preki said. "We thought (Thornton) had a good game in Salt Lake, he was sharp. It's not a good thing for the group to change the goalkeeper every week. He played last game and he was solid."

Thornton took the blame for allowing the goal.

"I'm not making excuses," he said. "I went out to try and close him and try back in the goal. I was set but he just finished it well. That's the game."

Chivas USA kept fighting for the equalizer and pulled a goal back. Braun scored in the 83rd minute when he scored from 18 yards out but the goal was not enough. Chivas USA mounted a late surge but could not add to their tally.

"I have to give my guys credit. They never put their heads down. We were just a little bit unlucky to get another goal," Preki said.

Early goal too much for Wizards to overcome

COLUMBUS -- Playing the best team with the best home record in MLS was going to be a tough task for the Kansas City Wizards from the start.

Giving up an early goal to break the tie on aggregate after the first leg the previous week at home was downright impossible as the Wizards discovered Saturday at a chilly Crew Stadium.

Midfielder Brad Evans scored in the seventh minute and midfielder Robbie Rogers added a crushing blow in the 58th and the Columbus Crew downed Kansas City 2-0 to win their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series 3-1 on aggregate.

"It's always going to be an uphill battle," K.C. goalkeeper Kevin Hartman said. "We had a chance directly after that, maybe two yards out, maybe a sitter. Unfortunately, we were unable to put it away. When those things happen you wonder if it's going to be your day or not."

The Crew will face visiting Chicago Nov. 13 for the right to play in MLS Cup 2008. The Wizards have the offseason to ponder the turning point against the Crew.

While the goal by Evans officially will be the series winner, it was really the Game 1 goal in stoppage time by Crew rookie forward Steven Lenhart to tie the match at 1-1 that changed the entire complexion.

"It gave them a jump in their step coming back home," Wizards coach Curt Onalfo said.

Columbus took advantage early on in the second leg when midfielder Brian Carroll looped a ball past the Wizards backline that Evans ran onto. He then chipped the ball over a charging Hartman from just outside the top of the box.

"We were disappointed to give up the first goal," said Hartman. "I think we might have stepped the line when we should have been dropping. I tried to cover the space but he did a good job of steering it over me."

Kansas City settled down after the score and nearly got the tying marker in the 15th minute when midfielder Kevin Souter's service from the right side landed at the feet of forward Abe Thompson at the goalmouth. As Thompson struck the ball, goalkeeper William Hesmer went to his knees and grabbed it before nestling it to his chest.

The Wizards didn't have another shot until Jimmy Conrad laced a low drive from 20 yards that missed the left post by a yard in first half stoppage time.

"We continued to fight. We continued to battle," Hartman said.

With Kansas City looking for the equalizer, the Crew started a counterattack with Guillermo Barros Schelotto leading Alejandro Moreno down the right flank. Moreno slipped a rolling pass to the far post where Rogers banged in the insurance tally.

"On the second goal we tried to step the line again. I think Alejandro beat the offside trap," Hartman said. "They're a good team, no bones about it. We knew that coming in. We're also a good team. When you have a series like this it's always going to come down to one or two opportunities and tonight they had the better finishing.

"They got the result. It was one of those things where maybe if we were able to come in with a goal advantage that we coughed up at home," he continued. "You're always going to say what could have been at the end of the season but I have a ton of respect for the guys I played with this year. Even when we were down 2-0 we continued to fight. There weren't guys arguing with each other. It's a really class act and I'm proud to be part of the organization."

Columbus won the Supporters' Shield as the best team in the regular season and have now won seven consecutive games at home in league and cup play since tying the Wizards on July 17.

"They've been a very good time all year. They're all on the same page. I wish them well," Onalfo said. "We knew it would be a difficult challenge. We just fell short."

Onalfo noted that his team is getting better just as coach Sigi Schmid has steadily improved the Crew the past two years.

"We have a lot to be proud of. Our team finished two points better than it did last year with what, quite frankly, is a very, very young team; similar to what Sigi has been able to do here the last couple of years in playing a lot of young players and giving them experience," Onalfo said. "We've been able to do that as well. This is a step in our progression as a group. Obviously, it stings. It hurts. You never want to have your season over but we look forward to continuing to get better next season."

Hartman is also eyeing next year after the Wizards finished strong down the stretch with a 5-1-1 record to qualify for the playoffs on the last weekend.

"It took us awhile to figure out what works. Now that we've found guys that can continue to do that on a consistent basis, next year it will be a situation where we'll be able to accumulate more and more points," he said. "It won't be a feeling-out period like we went through this year."

Gameplan key to Revs' attack success

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Life without Steve Ralston, Taylor Twellman and Adam Cristman has changed how the New England Revolution approach the game offensively.

Ralston, Twellman and Cristman were the top three scorers for the Revs during the regular season. Cristman underwent season-ending toe surgery on Sept. 4, while Ralston (broken fibula) and Twellman (post-concussion symptoms) hold out some hope of returning if the Revs advance.

Without the combined 22 goals and 10 assists those three contributed in 2008, the Revolution attack has changed its focus.

"It's different," Revolution defender Chris Albright said. "The importance is put on defending and keeping our organization. A goal is a bonus at this point."

In a 0-0 draw in the opening leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series with Chicago, the Revs created chances occasionally by trying to get the ball wide and flighting crosses into the box. But the crosses often went astray and the Revs created very little through the center of the park without Ralston's attacking presence to complement Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Larentowicz.

"We're looking for the same commitment," Nicol said. "We just need better quality at the right time. That's it in a nutshell."

That quality will come, Nicol believes, because the team hasn't deserted its offensive game plan and continues to create some chances.

"The positive is that we're on the verge of it," Nicol said. "If we looked as though we didn't have any idea whatsoever, then we'd have some problems. I think we do [have an idea] and I think we'll give them some trouble."

With less offensive options, Nicol knows his team will have to look to complement that game plan with other ideas.

Strikers Kheli Dube and Kenny Mansally have been charged with finding that goal. Changing the forwards means changing how the front two attacks. Mansally and Dube will look to use their pace to get in behind the defense more often than a Twellman-Dube pairing would and will likely hold the ball up less consistently. The two interchange frequently in order to confuse defenses.

The onus doesn't just rest on the strikers. Set pieces -- whether corner kicks or free kicks -- helped the Revs win SuperLiga earlier this season. With Jay Heaps, Albright and Joseph in the side, New England can point to at least three aerial threats.

Even with those possible targets, Nicol admits that those players needs good service -- likely from Mauricio Castro -- from dead ball opportunities in order to turn those chances into goals.

"It's a free ball in the box," Nicol said. "It's a combination of a good ball and somebody that has more desire than the next guy to get on the end of it. It's those two things. If you only have one of those things, it doesn't work."

Nicol could also ask his fullbacks to help out more in the attack. Albright and Chris Tierney didn't get forward much in the first leg to overlap the wingers. More overlapping could provide additional opportunities for service in the box.

Tierney thinks his side will be more willing to send the fullbacks forward in the second leg as it searches for the vital goal it may need to advance to the Eastern Conference Championship.

"That's something we'll be definitely looking to do on Thursday night," Tierney said. "That's the way a 4-4-2 is. We can go forward a bit. We were focused on getting a clean sheet. Having done that, we're going to look to get forward a bit more in the second leg."

Davis: Managers' moves mark leg one

More than any other sport, it's the players, not the managers, who decide soccer matches.

But that doesn't mean that a man with a plan -- in this case, a manager with a plan -- can't make a big mark once the anthems are over and the opening whistle blows. That's even more true in matches as close as the ones we saw over the weekend.

Shrewd moves with second-half subs had a major influence in two matches during Major League Soccer's opening round of the "second season." Three ties and a one-goal squeaker told the story of the first leg of the home-and-away conference semifinals. They were tightly played, with just five goals in the four matches.

Replacements struck for late equalizers in two of the contests, both of which leave the series favorites (the higher seeds) in good shape for return legs coming up this weekend.

Columbus manager Sigi Schmid nailed the weekend's perfect note with Steven Lenhart's late introduction as the Black & Gold trailed 1-0 at fourth-seeded Kansas City. Lenhart's quickly unleashed shot in added time prevented the Crew from returning to Ohio on the wrong side of a one-goal deficit.

Lenhart's 83rd-minute introduction, Columbus' first change, was an intriguing choice by Schmid. Pat Noonan, with plenty of playoff experience, was available on the bench. Noonan has five goals in 17 postseason matches, all for New England. Also on the bench was potential game-changer Emmanuel Ekpo, a crafty attacker who struck twice this year as a reserve.

But Lenhart is more of a scrapper, a big body who can mix it up inside the penalty area. That seemed even more important on smaller field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. So he was first off the bench and his choice seemed prescient as the well-placed equalizer bounced past Wizards 'keeper Kevin Hartman. The rookie Californian from unheralded Azusa Pacific University was in the right place, but still needed the nerve to hit a solid first-time shot from inside a crowded penalty area.

Similarly, Houston manager Dominic Kinnear made clever moves, which paid handsomely in the 1-1 draw at Giants Stadium. The tone of his subs, all of which were fairly offensive-minded, might have seemed to some managers as a bit of a risky move on the road.

The Dynamo trailed 1-0 when Kinnear made the first of his three changes. In one school of thought, the manager could have simply protected the goal difference, kept the general team shape and mentality and gone back to Robertson Stadium in search of a one-goal victory, at least. It wouldn't have been such a daunting task. After all, the Orange was down by a goal after the conference semifinal first legs in both of the last two seasons. And we all know how that worked out; Houston rolled in the home half of the set and used the momentum as a catapult right to the MLS championship.

So what did Kinnear do? He removed starting striker Nate Jaqua in favor of speedy and powerful Kei Kamara. That was a fairly straight swap. Then Kinnear removed Brian Mullan, the two-way workhorse in favor of Stuart Holden's younger legs.

That was a move intended to pep up the attack. Red Bulls left back Kevin Goldthwaite, with lots of help from left midfielder Dave van den Bergh, had done a good job of denying Mullan with opportunities to serve from the right wing. Holden, more prone to drift inside, gave the Red Bulls defense, which was bunkering increasingly as the second half wore on, something different to deal with.

Finally, in the 83rd, Kinnear removed offensive linchpin Dwayne De Rosario in favor of rookie Geoff Cameron.

Cameron has played all over the field. In this case, he went to the right midfield spot, while Holden came into the center. So, in this case, there wasn't much a defensive slant on De Rosario's replacement.

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Kei Kamara's score validated Dominic Kinnear's master strategy.

With five minutes remaining, the younger legs of Holden and Kamara were close to goal during a bit of a scramble, with Kamara poking home an important goal in his first playoff appearance.

Of the weekend's five goal scorers, three came from playoff debutantes: Kamara, Lenhart and Yura Movsisyan.

TACTICAL CORNER

• Revolution manager Steve Nicol has a couple of options for the return leg at Toyota Park on Thursday, in a series deadlocked after a scoreless draw in New England -- a result that surely favors the Fire.

Nicol can either scheme up a way to conjure a goal or two, or he can set up the side in a defensive crouch, hope for 120 minutes of low-scoring soccer, and then try to claim the series in penalty kicks.

The Revs are injury-smacked along the front line, with their top three scorers out due to injury. Not surprisingly, his young strikers looked overmatched by Chicago's salty back line for most of the match. The Revs managed just four shots on goal at home, and even that is a little deceptive. Two of those came after the 87th minute as New England pressed matters in a late flurry.

Starting New England forwards Kenny Mansally and Kheli Dube just couldn't get much going against Chicago defenders Gonzalo Segares, Bakary Soumare and Wilman Conde. Lesser-heralded right back Brandon Prideaux had a nice match, too. So don't look for any changes along the back line for Chicago manager Denis Hamlett when the sides meet in Bridgeview. That means another tough night looms for the Revs' young attackers.

• This might have been in the back of Kinnear's mind, too, as the Dynamo manager removed his attacking midfielder in the 83rd minute. De Rosario had six fouls at that point, and was already a bit lucky not to have collected a caution for persistent infringement. "De Ro" had four fouls, including a couple of pretty tough ones, within the game's first 25 minutes, although he did settle down some after that.

• Manager Juan Carlos Osorio's made some interesting choices for the opening leg as his Red Bulls attempt to escape the first round for the second time in club history.

Upset by the team's flagging performance in final regular-season match (a 5-2 loss in Chicago), Osorio kept decorated midseason additions Jorge Rojas, Gabriel Cichero and Juan Pietravallo on the bench.

Rojas and Pietravallo looked like they could form the core of the side, a balanced pair of central midfielders, when Osorio brought them in during the summer transfer window. Instead, they were on the sidelines as Osorio preferred a pair of youngsters for the 2008 Giants Stadium playoff opener.

Osorio's choices at attacking and defensive midfielder: MLS sophomore Sinisa Ubiparipovic and rookie Luke Sassano.

It worked to a point, as an energetic midfield largely denied space and opportunity to the Dynamo's stable of skillful midfielders. On the other hand, without the passing and possession skills of more experienced type, the Red Bulls struggled to feed useful balls into Dane Richards on the right or to Juan Pablo Angel up front.

• Injuries forced manager Preki to shuffle the deck at Chivas USA -- and what else is new?

Jonathan Bornstein, a natural left back who has also played in the midfield during this injury-troubled year for Chivas, was moved to a center back spot.

And Sacha Kljestan, who has been the Red-and-White's main midfield attacking conduit, usually lining up on the right side, slid over to the left to start Saturday's match beneath the mountains at Rio Tinto. Instead, Alex Zotinca manned the right side for Chivas.

But the midfield wasn't working early as Real Salt Lake overwhelmed the center of the park, leaving Chivas USA with precious little possession. Within 15 minutes, Kljestan had moved back over to the right, where he seems a little more comfortable. It also served to get Zotinca matched against RSL's Andy Williams, a more potent offensive force for RSL than young Will Johnson on the other side.

It helped the visitors a bit as a firestorm of an attack was tamped down slightly. Still, Real Salt Lake outshot the visitors 21-3 and generated a huge edge in shots on goal at 8-1. The lack of ruthless (or accurate) finishing could eventually crunch Jason Kreis' side; RSL put only one past Chivas goalkeeper Zach Thornton, and that 1-0 lead looks a bit thin as the series moves back to The Home Depot Center.

• Kansas City rookie Jonathan Leathers hasn't gotten much press this year. But he did hold his own against Columbus flanker Robbie Rogers. Rogers did managed to cause some trouble, but Leathers was able to limit the damage, at least, surely assisted by the smaller field in Kansas City.

• Lenhart obviously deserves credit for uncorking the Crew's equalizer on the road. But this must be said, too: Kansas City's calamitous inability to clear the ball on a sequence that lasted 20-30 seconds might eventually prove ruinous for the Wizards' postseason ambitions.

Wizards defenders had three or four chances (maybe even more) to knock the ball from danger, then regroup and ensure that everyone was adequately organized. Instead, balls went high into the air or, in one case, the wrong way. It all served to keep the danger looming, and Kansas City finally paid the price.

Role reversal for Chivas vs. RSL

CARSON, Calif. -- Chivas USA has been in Real Salt Lake's position before. In 2006, Chivas USA played host to a playoff game for the first time, and the energy in the stands that day propelled the Red-and-White to a victory against a higher-seeded team.

Now, it is Chivas USA who is the higher seed and must play on the road against the energetic first-time playoff team, and that energy is what players say is important to squash early in Saturday's first leg at Rio Tinto Stadium.

"I know it's going to be a very difficult game for our team," right back Carey Talley said. "It's going to be a very emotional game for them from the standpoint that it's their first playoff game. It's going to be hectic and it's going to be crazy. We have to make sure that if anything we're disciplined as a team."

Real Salt Lake were toward the bottom of the Western Conference for much of their first three MLS seasons as the club posted a combined record of 21-50-23 entering the 2008 season. This year, the club enjoyed a turnaround campaign and finished with a 10-10-10 record.

The wait for a playoff spot has been long, but just as long was the wait for a new stadium. Rio Tinto Stadium opened in early October after years of speculation and debate. RSL has a draw and a victory in their two games there and now will have the opportunity to bring a playoff victory to their ardent supporters.

"The energy that their stadium is going to have for this game is going to be pretty big. It's certainly not going to be an easy game," Chivas USA midfielder Jesse Marsch said. "We're going to have many things going against us. Obviously the crowd, I think the weather will be in their favor because it looks like it's going to be cold and we've never played at that stadium so we don't know what that's about. But we're going to go there and play well, try and get a lead and hold onto it."

In 2008, Real Salt Lake used their home turf to their advantage. The club lost just one game at home all season -- but that fact only seems to benefit Chivas USA. It was the Red-and-White who handed RSL their lone home loss, a 1-0 victory at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Sept. 20.

And although RSL also beat Chivas USA on their turf, the Red-and-White won the overall season series. Continued success against Real is nothing new to Chivas USA. The teams split their season series in 2005 as each team won at home twice but the Red-and-White has dominated since, having posted a 6-1-3 record since.

"Even though the series tilted in our favor, I still think they were three competitive games and I don't think you can take past years' history and apply it to what their team is about this year. They're obviously vastly improved," Marsch said. "Regardless of what happens in the regular season, the playoffs wind up being a whole new series. No matter who you play it's competitive and hard fought and a real battle. I don't think you have to throw out regular season results when it comes to playoffs."

When Saturday's game kicks off, the hosts will likely come out with energy and emotion, players said. If the club can survive the expected early blitz, Chivas USA said they would be fine.

"In most cases, what usually happens in these kinds of games is matching the intensity and then it comes down to who's a better soccer team," Talley said. "If the teams are at the same intensity, the better soccer team usually ends up winning. We've got to make sure that we come to play and that we, if anything, outwork them on their home field and we'll be in good shape if that's the case. We know emotions will be high, as they should be, and so will ours."