Wizards Tie Dallas Burn 1-1 in Exhibition Match in Edmond, Oklahoma
Published on April 10, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
EDMOND, OK (Saturday, April 10, 2004) - The Kansas City Wizards and Dallas Burn battled to a 1-1 tie in an exhibition match in Edmond, Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. In the third game of the Wizards 2nd Annual Mid-America Barnstorming Exhibition Tour, the Wizards and Burn entertained 6,738 fans who braved the cold and rainy weather on the University of Central Oklahoma campus. Edmond, a suburb of Oklahoma City, is vying for one of two potential MLS expansion teams that are expected to be announced in the coming months.
The Wizards held much of the possession during the first half of play, limiting the number of opportunities for the Dallas Burn in the opening period. At the other end, Kansas City had a number of close chances in the final five minutes of the half. In the 40th minute, defender Nick Garcia charged up the left flank and sent a centering pass in the air to midfielder Jack Jewsbury. Jewsbury one-timed a perfect shot on goal, but Dallas 'keeper Jeff Cassar was well positioned to make the save.
Just before the halftime whistle blew, the Wizards had their best chance of the half tipped over the crossbar. Forward Davy Arnaud got loose inside the Dallas box and unloaded a shot from the top left corner of the box towards the far post, but Cassar rose up just in time to tip the ball over the crossbar and out of play.
Kansas City's defense played well early on stopping the Dallas attack before they could create anything. Just three minutes from halftime, Dallas midfielder Jordan Stone played a great give-and-go with forward Eddie Johnson just outside the box, but Wizards defender Shavar Thomas, who was acquired from Dallas in a draft day trade, stepped in to disrupt the play and shut down the Burn attack. Dallas got on the board first as rookie Ty Maurin set up Bobby Rhine in the 58th minute. That lapse by the Wizards defense was the only mistake they would make on the afternoon as they completely took over the remainder of the match.
Kansas City knotted the score in the 85th minute as Chris Klein worked deep into the Dallas box and tapped a pass back to Diego Gutierrez who was waiting near the penalty spot. Gutierrez one-timed a shot on goal aiming for the upper left corner and slotted it swiftly past the goalkeeper to even the score at 1-1. The two sides played out the remaining four minutes as the final score remained 1-1. Kansas City returns to MLS regular season play when they host the Columbus Crew at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, April 17th. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. CT. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 816-931-3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. The first 5,000 fans in the stadium will receive Thundersticks compliments of Missouri Employers Mutual Insurance.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 10, 2004
- Galaxy tie United 1-1 - LA Galaxy
- Fire, Earthquakes can't find net - MLS
- Wizards Tie Dallas Burn 1-1 in Exhibition Match in Edmond, Oklahoma - Sporting Kansas City
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