• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Wizards-FC Dallas Preview

Jul 31, 2009 - 6:54 PM By MIKE LIPKA STATS Writer

Kansas City (5-6-6) at FC Dallas (4-9-5), 8:30 p.m. EDT

At halftime of FC Dallas' most recent game, it looked like a strong road performance could help turn the team's disappointing season around. Instead, it is left picking up the pieces from one of the worst halves imaginable.

Dallas will return home and attempt to bounce back from a disastrous defeat as the Kansas City Wizards visit Pizza Hut Park on Saturday night.

Coach Schellas Hyndman's team entered last Friday's visit to Real Salt Lake with just one road win this season, but it appeared to be in prime position for a second with a 2-0 lead at the break.

That quickly changed in the second half, however, as RSL scored four unanswered goals, with the game-winner an own goal by Dallas. It was the second straight MLS defeat for Dallas (4-9-5), which is in seventh place in the Western Conference - three points ahead of last-place San Jose.

"We played a good 45 minutes (in the first half). I was very pleased with that, so I think that is what we should walk away with," Hyndman said. "Any team that gives up four goals in a half you have to be concerned about, so we are concerned about that."

Dallas is one of four clubs that has allowed at least 30 goals, and the team's 1.67 goals-against average ranks 13th in the league.

Kansas City's problems have come mostly at the other end of the field, as the team has scored nine times in eight road games. Two of the Wizards' last three MLS matches have come at home, but they're 0-1-2 in those games.

They scored for the first time in three league games last Saturday against Los Angeles, as Claudio Lopez netted a highlight-reel strike from midfield, but the Wizards (5-6-6) still settled for a 1-1 tie. They remain in sixth place in the East.

Kansas City will be hoping for a boost from midfielder Davy Arnaud and captain Jimmy Conrad, with both players expected to return to action after spending time with the U.S. National team.

The Wizards already got help from forward Adam Cristman, who made his debut with the club against the Galaxy after recovering from an injured foot.

"He gives us something different that we don't really have, and that's a physical presence up top," Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo said. "He's a guy that can turn bad balls into good balls and help you gain some good territory. It was good to see him out there, and I thought he did a good job for his first time out."

The Wizards and Dallas haven't met this year after playing to a pair of 1-1 draws in 2008.