Sounders v Kansas City (Match Preview)

Sounders FC v Kansas City Wizards
April 11th Kick off 7.30pm

Referee: Abbey Okulaja. Assistants: Anthony Vasoli; Eric Boria;

Sounders Return Home with 100% Record

Sounders FC are sure to get a warm welcome when they return home from their victorious trip to Canada. Boasting a record of three wins from three games, they welcome Kansas City Wizards to Qwest Field. They will be protecting an unbreached defence which has protected Kasey Keller well and limited the number of saves he has had to make. The Wizards finally embraced winning ways last week beating San Jose Earthquakes 2-0 at their CommunityAmerica Ballpark (CAB), after losses to Toronto FC and Colorado Rapids.

Aaron Hohlbein scored his first career goal from a rebound in front of the net, before Claudio Lopez scored his first goal of the season, assisted by Herculez Gomez. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman had a day so quiet it makes Keller look like a man putting out a fire single handed, as it took 81 minutes before he had a serious save to make. It has to be added that the San Jose game was played in atrocious weather conditions to which Kansas City simply adapted better. However, a win’s a win and to adapt better to unpleasant weather requires character, which KC seem to have in abundance. So will chances be at a premium this Saturday, or are we looking at a goal fest?

Local rookie defender Matt Besler, who grew up a Wizards fan, and Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig each made their first MLS starts in the win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Besler, a rookie out of Notre Dame, started at left back for the injured Michael Harrington. Hirsig assumed a starting role in central midfield after entering the first two games of the 2009 season a substitute while regaining his fitness. Hirsig signed in the off-season after 10 seasons in the Argentine First Division, most recently with powerhouse San Lorenzo.

Sigi Schmid has almost a full roster to select from although Taylor Graham and Peter Vagenas are recuperating rather than recuperated. Fredy Montero will be available and Schmid is waiting on Ljungberg’s knee to see if the swelling will go down in time.

Four Names Stand out

Looking down the KC roster, four names stand out as men to watch. Claudio Lopez, Josh Wolff, Davy Arnuad and Jimmy Conrad have all made a sufficient mark in their careers to justify special attention from the Sounders.

34-year-old Claudio Lopez is an Argentinian international with an amazing 58 caps for Argentina, including 7 in the World Cup. He appeared in both the 1998 and 2002 World Cups and has scored 10 international goals, including one in World Cup finals play against the Netherlands in the Stade Vélodrome, Marseille on July 4th 1998, against a certain Edwin van der Saar, now at Man United, managed by Guus Hiddink, now Chelsea manager. He played in 31 of KC’s games last year, amassing an incredible 2,533 minutes. Lopez was the Wizards’ first-ever Designated Player prior to the 2008 season.

Defender Jimmy Conrad has played 241 games in the MLS, that amounts to over 20,000 minutes of game time. He was both captain and MVP last season. He started and played every minute of the regular season and playoffs, becoming only one of six players to play every minute of regular season. As if reliability wasn’t enough, he scored more goals than any other defender with six, and has been named to the MLS All-star side five times.

Davy Arnaud has already scored twice and provided an assist so far this season. He missed six games last season and still won their Golden Boot. The Texas native is currently the longest serving Wizard, having played in Kansas City since 2002. He has played twice for the USA against Brazil and Guatemala.

Josh Wolff traveled to the 2006 World Cup finals in Germany with the US side, but missed a portion of the MLS season in doing so. He was acquired in 2003 in a trade with the Chicago Fire, and played 34 games over two seasons with TSV1860 Munich in Bavaria before returning to Kansas last season. He has appeared 52 times for the U.S. National Team, scoring nine goals and adding five assists.

Scotsman Kevin Souter secured a contract after beating out over 200 other participants from 15 countries in an open tryout performance. He played for Aberdeen FC in Scotland.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman also moved into a tie for 3rd place on the MLS games-played list. His 306 career matches equals former LA Galaxy star Cobi Jones, and he now trails only New England midfielder Steve Ralston and Sounders FC Technical Director Chris Henderson.

Injury and Selection News

The Two Rookies to Stay?

Head Coach Curt Onalfo has a nice selection problem. Two rookies started the Earthquakes match and the Wizards recorded their first victory. Should he keep a winning side or bring back first choice players. Left-back Michael Harrington is now a probable choice so will replacement Matt Besler keep his place? Hirsig may remain as fully fit, he is a probably first eleven player anyway.

Freddie Ljungberg sustained a swollen knee in the 75th minute at Toronto and although packaged in ice, Sounders still retain some confidence that he may make the match on Saturday. If he does, it will be interesting to see whether the Swede and Fredy Montero play together for the first time.

Longer term casualties Taylor Graham and Peter Vagenas are still unavailable and Jarrod Smith remains on the DL. Ben Dragavon will probably remain Sounders’ substitute keeper.

Latest Injury Report – updated daily

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC
OUT: DF Taylor Graham (left sesamoid fracture)
GK Chris Eylander (right knee PCL sprain)
MF Peter Vagenas (knee surgery)

PROBABLE: MF Freddie Ljungberg (Swollen Knee)

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
OUT: FW Adam Cristman (fifth metatarsal fracture)
GK Eric Kronberg (shoulder surgery)
DF Chance Myers (fifth metatarsal fracture)

DOUBTFUL: MF Graham Zusi (hamstring strain)
DF Michael Harrington (hamstring strain)

PROBABLE: MF Kevin Souter (adductor strain)

Prost Amerika will bring you its Award Winning match report and analysis after the game.

Stadium Facts – CommunityAmerica Ballpark

Opened in 2003, the CommunityAmerica Ballpark (CAB) has offered intimate, family-friendly entertainment for the past four years. The Wizards will make all the necessary modifications to ensure that CAB can adequately host the United States’ highest level of professional soccer. The Wizards are very excited about the next two seasons, as the team moves out of cavernous Arrowhead and into a more intimate facility that caters to fans of all ages.

Kansas City – The Fans

The most vocal supporters of the Wizards can be found every game in the Cauldron, giving their all in support of the Wizards. Clad in Wizards blue, denizens of the Cauldron stand, sing and cheer throughout the game for our boys.

For another match preview, visit the excellent Sounder at Heart website.

Kansas City Official Preview to follow as soon as available