by Greg Seltzer for Soccer365

With his Crew set to host the conclusion of a deadlocked MLS Playoff tie, Columbus boss Sigi Schmid says the key to seeing their way past in-form Kansas City is improving over Game One in both 18-yard boxes.

(photo courtesy of Jim Early)

The Wizards, who have only lost once in their last eight outings and haven't been shut out since August 2nd, looked set to escape their home leg with a 1-0 victory over the Supporter's Shield winners until Steven Lenhart rifled home a stoppage time equalizer.

Columbus did, however, outshoot their hosts 10-5, and the coach believes they could have been a lot more lethal in attack positions and a little more cognizant of the big play threat posed by Kansas City's star men.

"They're a team that plays very well as of late," Schmid told Soccer365. "Davy Arnaud has been very important to them and Claudio López has been very important to them, so we have to have an awareness of them, for sure."

"Our main concern going into this is making better use of the ball in the final third of the field, executing a little bit better and taking some chances," he said. "And making sure that defensively, we play well and keep an eye on those danger guys."

Aiding the big game cause will be the team's supporters, who Schmid gives an assist for helping the them enter Saturday's showdown unbeaten at Crew Stadium for five months.

"We're expecting a great atmosphere," he stated. "Our fans have been tremendous all season. We've really turned Columbus into a tough place to play because of our fans' non-stop singing and support."

Despite a forecast calling for temperatures in the 40's and perhaps even a few showers, Schmid is confident central Ohio folk will be out in force cheering for the team.

"People from this area are hearty people," he noted. "I don't think the weather will keep them away." 

As for his squad, the coach reports that they found their playoff feet in the away leg. The Crew had not been to the postseason since 2004, and after the K.C. draw, Schmid told the Columbus Dispatch that the result was positive because his players achieved it while settling into a new experience.

"I thought our preparation was okay last week, as well, but you can't really replicate a playoff game," he explained.
"I didn't think we were overly nervous or overly tentative, but there's a little bit of that there any time you're into something that you haven't been involved in for a while - it's natural."

"It's good to be able to go through that experience and come through unscathed, so that was a positive to draw from it," said Schmid, noting the change in his team. "The attitude and approach in training (this week) has been good."

Soccer365 reporter Greg Seltzer blogs daily over at No Short Corners.

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