Saturday, April 04, 2009

Back at Home, 0-2

The Wizards are back at home tomorrow for against the San Jose Earthquakes. And with an 0-2 start the Wizards really need to get some kind of result tomorrow, especially with road games against Seattle and Chicago coming up. San Jose is coming in on the backs of a 3-2 win over Houston last week at home. This will be the team's first road test of the season.

The Wizards are still struggling with injuries, and while Davy Arnaud has returned to training, Michael Harrington and Graham Zusi both missed some practices this week due to injuries. The list of players that will be missing this game due to injury could be as many as 5 players that are regularly on the Wizards 18 man game day roster. It's a horribly early season injury crisis for the Wizards. It would appear that both Josh Wolff and Arnaud could be back though. From being out at practice a few days this week, I think the lineup will be looking like this come Sunday.

Hartman
Watson - Conrad - Hohlbein - Besler
Jewsbury
Gomez - Hirsig - Wolff
Arnaud - Lopez

PREDICTION - This game has me worried, with not just the injuries, but with the lineup that we'll be putting out. San Jose's wingers, Darren Huckerby and Arturo Alvarez will be going up against Lance Watson and rookie Matt Besler. It's going to be a major challenge for Watson and Besler to contain them, especially with Jimmy Conrad likely having his hands full with Cam Weaver in the middle of the field. The good news is that it would appear that Santiago Hirsig will get the start, his play the first two games has been one of the bright spots. Hopefully KC can get all 3 points, but the injury issues are a major concern.

KC - 2 (Lopez, Gomez)
SJ - 2 (Huckerby, Weaver)

2 comments:

Jake (jwhill37 @ BS) said...

Though we do have many injuries out there - and the back 4 does not look that good, I am hoping that the pressure of the front 5 will alleviate some of the stress on the defenders. I really like the look of those front 5.....c'mon Wizards!

szazzy said...

Team effort today. Lots of guys played well. Good win, but I wonder how good San Jose is if Huckerby and Alvarez aren't on their game. They could finish near the bottom of the West.