Just in: Kansas – Not Just a Wheat-field!

By: Rocky Cole | August 29th, 2009

Real Salt Lake’s Fabian Espindola is ecstatic about two things this week: 1) scoring a nice goal in Wednesday’s match against Chivas-USA at home in Rio Tinto; and 2) probably getting the start in Kansas City today when RSL faces off against the Wizards. Even without Javier Morales or Yura Movsisyan in the lineup, RSL saw great play from Espindola, Robbie Findley , Kyle Beckerman, and of course Nick Rimando. Good things happen when RSL comes out hard and plays all the way through 90 minutes and Coach Jason Kreis was pleased with the way that his team carried their energy through the entire game.
And the result of the win against Chivas means that as of today RSL would be in the playoffs based on points and other mystical formulas used by MLS. That said, you never want to rely on MLS formulas and points for anything – trust me on this one. In the West the grouping at the top is tight and any one of the teams in the West can still make the playoffs if they string a couple of wins together. But, as nice as a win over Chivas was, that is history now and we have to turn our eyes towards Kansas City.

The Wizards have had a rough time lately and have not been able to put the ball in the back of the net. But if there has been one thing that has been a hallmark of this season in the MLS it is parity. You have an off day, and teams you think you should beat bite you in the behind. There are no easy games in the MLS this year – none. Hershel, who blogs about the Wizards for TheOffside predicts a 1-1 draw in today’s game. While that might not be an awful result, RSL has to come into this game looking for a win. Getting solidly into the playoffs is the goal for RSL and winning on the road is a requirement. RSL has had a tough time on the road this year, but the team showed some heart this week. Let’s see if that carries on. And as Hershel was brave enough to make a game prediction, so will I: RSL 2, Wizards 0. Sorry, man, Rimando has been on a roll.