D.C. United needs a win at Kansas City on
Saturday night and some help to qualify for the 2009 MLS Cup playoffs.
United (9-8-12) is currently tied with tree other teams at 39 points and is
one of six teams battling for the final two playoff spots heading into the
last weekend of MLS action.
If D.C. is the only team tied on 39 points to win, they will qualify. If DC
wins, Colorado wins, and New England or Toronto win, it is out. In the case of
a tie on 40 points, D.C. will qualify only if FC Dallas and DC tie, or if
Dallas and D.C. and Toronto tie.
Clear enough?
Really, all United can do is win on Saturday and hope for help after a 1-0 win
over Columbus in its last league fixture kept it alive.
"I think right now every game is a must-win situation and I don't think - as
professional athletes you thrive on those types of situations where you're up
against the wall and you know what you have to accomplish," D.C. coach Tom
Soehn said. "We had a little more time to prepare for what they were going to
bring but ultimately it's just about our mentality and how we're going to
defend the team and make sure we're difficult to play against."
United earned the win against the back-to-back Supporters' Shield winners
Columbus with goalkeeper Steve Cronin, who was signed at mid-week and an
emergency injury replacement.
"Steve [Cronin] did a great job. It's always difficult coming into a new
environment. Early in the week I recall him asking, 'who's he' and 'who's he'.
And you wouldn't have guessed that because he really solidified things, made
great decisions. He looks like he's been with us all year," said Soehn.
The Wizards are eliminated from playoff contention and are coming off their
second straight loss, 3-2 vs. Seattle. It will be looking to play spoiler on
Saturday.
"D.C. is a team that obviously has a little fight in them and a lot of pride,'
Wizards interim coach Peter Vermes said. "It will be a game for both teams to
see what's going to happen. We're going to come out still trying to play,
still trying to win, because we have a lot of work to do."
The Wizards will be without midfielder Kevin Souter, forward Adam Cristman and
defenders Michael Harrington and Lance Watson, while midfielder Santiago
Hirsig and defender Jonathan Leathers are questionable with injuries.
United will be without forwards Santino Quaranta and Ange N'Silu, defenders
Bryan Namoff and Greg Janicki, goalkeeper Josh Wicks and midfielder Brandon
Barklage. Midfielder Andrew Jacobson was listed as doubtful.
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