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United-Wizards Preview

Oct 24, 2009 - 2:44 AM By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO STATS Writer

D.C. (9-8-12) at Kansas City (8-13-8), 8:30 p.m. EDT

For a second consecutive year, D.C. United enter the final weekend of the regular season needing a win - and a little help - to reach the MLS Cup playoffs.

After falling short of the postseason in 2008, United are one of six teams vying for the final two berths in the 2009 playoffs Saturday night when they visit the Kansas City Wizards, one of three clubs already eliminated from contention.

Last year, D.C. needed to beat Columbus on the final day of the regular season, but it came up empty on 19 shots while hitting the post three times in a 1-0 loss to the eventual MLS Cup champion. It was the first time in six years United failed to reach the playoffs.

One year later, United (9-8-12) enter the final weekend of the season tied for the eighth and final playoff spot with Toronto, New England and Dallas - one point back of seventh-place Colorado and two in front of Salt Lake.

While D.C. needs to beat Kansas City (8-13-8) to get back to the postseason, it also needs some of the other playoff hopefuls to lose this weekend. The convoluted race has more than 50 potential scenarios involving the six teams still fighting to keep their seasons alive.

"That's just the situation that we're in. All we can do is go out to Kansas City and get the three points," defender Dejan Jakovic told United's official Web site. "There's not too much to it. We've got to come out strong and fight like we've been doing the last couple games, and hope for the best."

D.C. greatly improved its playoff chances last Saturday, beating the Crew 1-0 as Luciano Emilio's 17th-minute goal held up. The victory ended United's first three-game home losing streak since 2000.

"In this stage of the game, with so much on the line, I think the team's in a good place confidence-wise and knowing that we can go on the road and get a result," coach Tom Soehn said.

Soehn opted to rest a number of starters Tuesday, and D.C. played to a 1-all tie with Mexico's Toluca to get eliminated from CONCACAF Champions League play.

United may have found an answer in goal with Steve Cronin, who made six saves last weekend against the Crew just days after being acquired on loan from Portland of the USL. Cronin, once considered one of the top U.S. goalkeeping prospects, has stepped in to replace Josh Wicks, who suffered season-ending injuries to his shoulder and knee during a 2-1 loss to San Jose on Sept. 27.

"Steve did a great job," Soehn said. "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 (against Columbus) because he really solidified things, made great decisions. He looks like he's been with us all year."

D.C. beat visiting Kansas City 1-0 on Sept. 9, and the teams played to a 1-all tie in their first meeting at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on May 6.

The Wizards are looking to finish their season on a positive note after going 0-2-2 since Sept. 26 to fall out of playoff contention. They lost 3-2 to Seattle last Saturday, squandering a one-goal lead with 21 minutes left.

"The real bane of our existence this season is just not scoring the timely goal," defender Jimmy Conrad said. "We're stepping on somebody's throat, and we don't have the goal to show it. Good teams always find a way to score that crucial goal."

Kansas City's 16 goals at home are tied with Chicago and Los Angeles for fewest in the league.