MLS Sporting Kansas City

Diop Hat Trick Leads Kansas City Wizards to 4-1 Victory Over San Jose in 2010 Season Finale

Published on October 24, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


The Kansas City Wizards closed out the 2010 campaign in thrilling fashion on Saturday with a 4-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes behind Birahim Diop's hat trick. The Senegal native scored the first three Wizards goals and goalkeeper Eric Kronberg made three saves in his first career appearance to end the CommunityAmerica Ballpark era on a successful note as Kansas City moves into its state-of-the-art stadium next season.

Kansas City concludes the 2010 season at 11-13-6 and in third place in the Eastern Conference, their best ever finish since moving from the West in 2005. The team's 11 wins also matches the most in a season since 2004.

The Wizards shuffled the lineup on Saturday, making six changes from the team's last outing, and came out firing on all cylinders in front of the standing-room only crowd. Second-year striker Graham Zusi set the tone early, sending a shot off the crossbar in the game's second minute and narrowly missing wide on a bending shot in the 14th minute. One minute later, Chance Myers connected with a cross from outside back Jonathan Leathers but his looping header went high of the goal.

It was Leathers service, combined with Diop's run beyond the San Jose backline, that opened the scoring in the 36th minute. Leathers sent a long ball from the right sideline over the top of the Earthquakes defense and Diop beat out-rushing San Jose goalkeeper Jon Busch to give Kansas City the 1-0 lead with a header over Busch's outstretched arms.

Leathers, making his third start of the season, earned the first point of his career on the assist.

Diop nearly grabbed his second goal of the game four minutes later after a cross from Zusi fell to him 12 yards out, but Busch made one of his four saves in the match to push the shot away for a corner.

The Wizards continued to attack throughout the second half, as Myers missed just wide of the near post on a scoring chance in the 48th minute.

Diop scored his second of the match then in the 60th minute, again on a header for the 6'3 center forward. Wizards outside back Roger Espinoza's cross into the penalty area ricocheted into the air on an attempted clearance from San Jose defender Ramiro Corrales, and Diop was well-positioned to place his header inside the far post from close range.

San Jose pulled a goal back in the 70th minute as striker Chris Wondolowsi scored his league-leading 18th goal of the year. Earthquakes Designated Player Geovanni sent a cross to Wondolowski, unmarked at the back post, who easily volleyed his shot first-time into the net. Wondolowski has now scored San Jose's last ten goals and is one goal up on the Galaxy's Edson Buddle for Major League Soccer's Budweiser Golden Boot.

Diop stole the show with the sixth hat trick in club history and first since 2007, as he scored his third goal of the game in the 76th minute. Wizards midfielder Craig Rocastle chipped a pass for Diop, who controlled with his chest and struck a thundering 25-yard volley over Busch beneath the crossbar.

Diop's three goals move him into a tie with rookie Teal Bunbury for third on the team in goals scored in 2010. Diop leads the league in goals per 90 minutes in 2010 with five in 497 minutes, and has scored five goals on six career shots on goal. Rocastle earned his third assist of the season on the play.

The Wizards finished off the scoring in second half stoppage time on an own goal in the 92nd minute. Kei Kamara, announced as the team's 2010 team MVP prior to the game, crossed from the right side and San Jose defender Jason Hernandez inadvertently played the ball into the net for the Wizards first own goal of the season.

Kronberg, now in his fifth season with the Wizards, made three saves as he set the MLS record for most seasons played prior to a debut. Kansas City's fourth-longest tenured player, Kronberg earned his first career victory as the Wizards scored four goals for the fourth time at home this season.

The four-goal victory secures fans the Planet Sub Hat Trick Special, allowing anyone who mentions the Wizards Hat Trick Special at Kansas City-area Planet Sub locations on Sunday to receive a Planet Sub sandwich, chips and cookie for $3.00.

Kansas City will now set their sights on a highly anticipated 2011 season, featuring the debut of Chivas Guadalajara star and Mexico international Omar Bravo and the opening of a state-of-the-art soccer stadium next summer. The Wizards are accepting initial payments for season tickets for the 2011 season and encourage supporters to visit KCWizards.com or call 888-4KC-GOAL for more information.

Kansas City will continue to train through the beginning of November at the team's Swope Park Training Facility. Times and days of training will be announced in the weekly schedule release.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 24, 2010


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