Happy Fourth of July to all!

Kansas City is a rainy place this morning after a storm last night but the temperature but a cooler temperature will enhance tonite’s game. The Wizards manager Curt Onalfo has called this a “critical” game for the Wizards who will be without to key pillars of their squad in DAVEY ARNAUD and JIMMY CONRAD. Arnaud is from Nederland , Texas and both he and Conrad join Dynamo players STUART HOLDEN and BRIAN CHING with the U.S. National team in the Gold Cup.
Defender ANDREW HAINAULT is with CANADA while KC’s ROGER ESPINOZA is with Honduras.

So what does all this mean? It means it is a time of opportunity for players on both teams and a challenge for coaches to put out 11 players that can blend and play effectively together.

PLAYERS TO WATCH ON KC:
Josh Wolff is the squad’s leading scorer with 6 goals and is complimented by Piojo Lopez the former Argentine international.
Lopez has 4 goals and is capable of sublime moments of skill while Wolff’s mobility and quickness is challenging.

Raushawn McKenzie is not a name you know but is going to get a start in his first ever MLS game. He has played in the Superliga and Open Cup for the Wizards and is out of Michigan State and the Chicago Sockers youth team.
The loss of Conrad is a big one for the Wizards at the back while Arnaud is the player that generally motivates this team.

Santiago Hirsig from Argentina will be a holding player for the Wizards and breaks up alot of plays.

DYNAMO players to watch:

The big story is the return of RICARDO CLARK who comes back from the Confederations Cup and has also with his wife had a second baby. What a time it is for Clark and the Dynamo need is impact tonite. He could come out flying….

In the abscence of Stuart Holden can the Dynamo play early and often through Brad Davis and can he have a large impact.
The Dynamo win in the Open Cup has released the poor performance from LA from the mind-set one would imagine so the game against Austin Aztex was useful in alot of ways.

The Dynamo will be thin up front with Ching and now an injured Cam Weaver not available. Who will step up and shine in the role of striker? Kei Kamara? Ade Akinbiyi? Dominic Oduro? Big night for some strikers who need to prove themselves out.

COMMUNITY AMERICA BALLPARK
The minor league baseball facility is small and the Wizards generally have to play against teams that come in to defend deep.
Can’t see the Dynamo doing that so maybe the Wizards will be relieved to find a team that will attack in postage stamp like stadium. The ball can get in to penalty areas very quickly like at Robertson Stadium.

STANDINGS
The Dynamo are number one in the West after the great streak they put together dating back to a 1-0 win over Colorado.
The Wizards are 4 pts. out of first in the East with two games in hand.

HOUSTON CONNECTION
Lance Watson should start at right back and is from Nederland, Texas and played youth soccer in the Houston area.
Watson went to the University of New Mexico.

What are your thoughts on tonite’s match?

Catch this tonite at 8pm on KHOU 11.2 !

FIESTA TICKETMASTER is the place to get Concacaf Gold Cup tickets and World Football Challenge tickets to CHELSEA VS. CLUB AMERICA!