Wizards continue
road trip in Toronto
By Robert Whitman
April 26, 2008
After their first trip away from home ended with three points over Chicago, the Wizards take the next step in their two-month road swing with a trip to Toronto.
The three points Kansas City earned last Saturday with their 1-0 victory over Chicago at Toyota Park has the Wizards level on points but second on head-to-head with New England in the Eastern Conference.
Toronto has turned their fortunes around in the past two weeks by posting victories at Los Angeles and at home last Saturday against Real Salt Lake.
Toronto's recent success coincides with the arrival April 9 of Honduran midfielder Amado Guevara, the 2004 MLS MVP when he was played for New York. In 13 games against the Wizards, Guevara has four goals and three assists.
The Wizards defeated Toronto, 3-0, a year and a day ago (April 25, 2007) at Arrowhead Stadium, then defeated Toronto, 1-0, three days later at BMO Field in the Toronto's first-ever MLS home game.
But with Guevara and forward Jeff Cunningham, Toronto has an improved attack that managed a league-low 25 goals in 30 games in its inaugual season.
With the help of a rejuvenated defense, Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has posted two clean sheets in his last two games. Hartman has three clean sheets in the first five games.
The Wizards emerged with no additional injuries against Chicago. Midfielder Sasha Victorine is not listed on the injury report. Midifielder Carlos Marinelli is listed as probable. Midfielder/forward Davy Arnaud has recovered from off-season knee surgery, but is listed as out with a hamstring strain. Midfielder/forward Ryan Pore is also out with a broken nose.
No players are away on international duty and none are suspended for accumulated yellow cards.