MLS Playoffs - Semifinal Preview

The Kansas City Wizards have embraced the role of the underdog for the Western Conference Championship. The MLS defending champion Houston Dynamo expect to reap the benefits of an expected crowd of better than 30,000 at Robertson Stadium. 

"I do thank our fans as I do time and time again. We can't thank them enough for giving us a really good home-field advantage and an intimidating atmosphere. And one for our team that is uplifting for our team as we step on to the field," said Dynamo coach Dominic Kinnear.

Last Friday's semifinal match against FC Dallas saw Robertson Stadium packed to the gills. Kinnear called it "the most incredible atmosphere for a MLS game that I've witnessed."  The Wizards would seem to be walking into the lion's den, with a hostile crowd filling their ears as they face the defending MLS champions.

"I think it's a good situation to be in. No one expects us to win," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.  Not to say that Onalfo has stop stopped believing in his team. He has reiterated that all season long.  "I told these guys from day one that I think we have a team that could win a championship," Onalfo said. "I like the underdog role -- there certainly there are parallels to 2000, but I wasn't here."

Some of the Wizards players have talked about the underdog role, Onalfo said. The first-year boss added that anything along the underdog tag that helps the Wizards prepare for Houston is a good thing.  One concern for the Wizards is Houston midfielder Dwayne DeRosario.

"The one thing Dwayne always wants is to win and to be a catalyst," Kinnear said. "Dwayne his runs from midfield, it definitely takes teams by surprise. A lot of his best movements and actions are without the ball."

"He really makes a difference in the game," said Kansas City center back Jimmy Conrad. "He can change the game with one play. I don't think that anybody on Chivas has the ability to change the game with one play."

The game features plenty of balance between the two clubs. Both have offenses that can be explosive at times. Onalfo cited the Dynamo defense for their cohesiveness.

"They press the ball very well. Their back line moves well together", Onalfo said.

But the Wizards have not given up a goal in their last three matches, a season-ending shutout of FC Dallas then back-to-back blankings of Chivas in the semifinals.

"They're pretty clear on how they attack. They have five excellent attacking players. We have five very good defensive players," Onalfo said of the Dynamo. "Having said that, they are the defending champions. They have a great winning attitude. I think they have an excellent head coach. We know that we will be an enormous challenge. We are up to the challenge."

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