Five weeks ago, the Kansas City Wizards opened the season with an impressive offensive display against D.C. United. They have scored one goal since, while United's losing streak has entered the team record books.
The Wizards will try to take advantage in their final season meeting with D.C. when the struggling clubs meet Wednesday night at RFK Stadium.
Kansas City (2-2-1) began 2010 by beating United 4-0 at home March 27. The Wizards followed that up with another home victory April 10, beating Colorado 1-0 on a goal by Kei Kamara in the 48th minute.
That's been it for Kansas City offensively this year. The Wizards' total of five goals is only better than D.C.'s league-worst two.
The Wizards are coming off their most lopsided defeat of the season, 3-0 at Houston on Saturday. They created only five shots - two on net.
"We're all trying to press and push and get the goal," forward Josh Wolff told the league's official website. "But sometimes you need to make another pass and sometimes you need to slow it down. It's not just one thing."
Wolff is searching for his first goal of 2010 after leading the Wizards with a career-high 11 last year. Playing mostly on the right wing, he's managed two shots on goal.
The Wizards, 0-2-0 on the road, will be without midfielder Davy Arnaud, suspended after being issued a red card for a late challenge on Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad.
Arnaud scored his lone goal this season in the first meeting with D.C. (0-5-0).
Kansas City has dropped four of its last five visits to the nation's capital, the most recent a 1-0 defeat Sept. 9.
United are off to their worst start to a season. The slide continued with 2-0 home loss to New York on Saturday as D.C. was shut out an MLS-high fourth time.
"I don't know what it is," said United's Troy Perkins, who had one save. "Maybe we need to sacrifice some goats or chickens to get this off of us. But you know, we've got to stay positive, we've got to keep our heads up. It's going to come."
In an effort to boost its woeful offensive play, D.C. may start Luciano Emilio after he was used as a sub for the final 24 minutes against the Red Bulls. The forward rejoined United last Wednesday after a stint with Rio Branco in his native Brazil.
Emilio's 20 goals in 2007 earned him league MVP honors, but he totaled 21 over the next two years and D.C. decided against picking up his option as a designated player.
