Kansas City Wizards Beat Manchester United 2-1 in Front of Record-Breaking Crowd at Arrowhead Stadiu
Published on July 25, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards defeated English powerhouse Manchester United 2-1 on Sunday night at Arrowhead Stadium with 52,424 passionate soccer supporters in attendance, the largest crowd ever to witness a soccer match in Mid-America history. Wizards striker Kei Kamara scored the game-winning goal on a header in the 42nd minute and added an assist on Davy Arnaud's goal in the 11th minute to lead Kansas City to the highly entertaining upset in the internationally-televised friendly.
The opening forty-five minutes was an action-packed display of soccer as both teams attacked early and often. Kansas City threatened first in the sixth minute, as winger Ryan Smith sent in a dangerous cross to striker Teal Bunbury who turned at the top of the six yard box but couldn't get his shot off in time. United responded four minutes later as Paul Scholes tried a long-distance volley that was pushed away by Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.
The Wizards broke through in fine fashion in the 11th minute as Kamara received a pass from Bunbury and sent a first-time through ball to Arnaud streaking into the United penalty area as the crowd came to its feet. The Kansas City captain dribbled in with his sight set on goal and calmly slotted a shot past outrushing Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos and inside the far post to give the Wizards a dramatic 1-0 advantage.
With the momentum, Kansas City continued its attacking style of soccer and nearly doubled their lead in the 22nd minute. Outside back Michael Harrington delivered a curving cross onto the foot of Smith, who snuck inside his mark but didn't have enough on his shot to put it past Amos.
United, one of the richest and most popular clubs in the world, took their turn to attack in the back-and-forth half, as Nani twice had opportunities to equalize. In the 30th minute, the Portuguese international eluded Roger Espinoza's challenge for a loose ball and found himself free on the right side, but Nielsen did well to cut down the angle and block the close-range shot with his body. Two minutes later, Nielsen again thwarted Nani, this time with an acrobatic, fingertip save on a header aimed just under the crossbar.
Kamara again acted the part of playmaker in the 38th minute with a well-timed through ball for Bunbury on the right side. The rookie tested Amos from an acute angle and earned a corner as the United netminder deflected it wide, one of nine saves forced on the night.
The run of play took a turn in the 39th minute when United's Dimitar Berbatov worked his way into the Kansas City penalty area and was brought down by Jimmy Conrad on a close challenge. Conrad was given a red card and sent off, and Berbatov converted the ensuing penalty kick to Nielsen's left to draw United even in the 41st minute.
Despite being a man down, the Wizards wasted no time in regaining the lead as the club capitalized on a corner kick in the 42nd minute behind the home crowd's support. Kamara won a header over United defender Ritchie De Laet and powered it off the underside of the crossbar and just over the goalline before tearing off his jersey in celebration of the eventual match winner. Smith, who ranks sixth in MLS with six assists this season, earned the assist for his driven corner kick on the play.
Manchester United had the last chance of the half when Ryan Giggs collected a header inside the penalty area, but Nielsen made his third and final stop with a foot save to send the Wizards into the halftime break to a standing ovation from the record crowd.
Eric Kronberg replaced Nielsen in goal to start the second half and was immediately called into action to prevent Mame Biram Diouf who slipped in behind the Wizards defense. Kronberg again denied Diouf in the 66th minute, before the Kansas City attack asserted itself with two promising scoring opportunities of its own.
Wizards midfielder Stephane Auvray lined up a shot from 20 yards out in the 68th minute that went narrowly over. Then Kamara dribbled down the right sideline before feeding second half substitute Jack Jewsbury, who fired his shot towards the far top corner but Amos made a diving save.
United pressed forward looking for the equalizer and came close in the 82nd minute, as Tom Cleverley connected on a diving header less than six yards from goal, but Kronberg was again positioned well to maintain the Kansas City margin. Kronberg finished the night with five saves in his only appearance with the first-team since the U.S. Open Cup play-in match on April 13.
Kansas City outshot United 19-15 in the victory, including an 11-9 edge in shots on goal.
Aside from the action on the field, the record-breaking crowd showcased the first event held in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium. In addition to setting a new Kansas City soccer record, ticket sales surpassed the turnout for both of Manchester United's previous two stops on their 2010 North American Tour. United defeated Scottish club Celtic FC 3-1 in Toronto in front of 39,139 at the Rogers Centre and topped the Philadelphia Union 1-0 with 44,213 in attendance at Lincoln Financial Field.
The Wizards return to MLS play next Saturday, July 31 against Toronto FC at 7:30 p.m. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets are available by calling 888-4KC-GOAL or online at www.kcwizards.com .
This week also marks the launch of 2011 season ticket sales, with the Wizards accepting initial payments of $50 per seat beginning on Monday for 2,011 season tickets to commemorate the opening of the Wizards new soccer stadium near Village West in Wyandotte County next summer. The first 2,011 fans to reserve their spot will have priority consideration for seat selection among new season ticket holders.
Top Soccer Crowds in Kansas City History
52,424 July 25, 2010 Wizards 2, Manchester United 1
37,319 April 25, 2001 USMNT 1, Costa Rica 0
36,405 October 7, 1999 USWNT 6, Finland 0
32,867 September 27, 2007 Wizards 0, Los Angeles 1
30,308 September 20, 2003 Wizards 1, San Jose 4
27,969 May 1, 2004 Wizards 2, Colorado 0
26,119 September 16, 2009 Chivas 2, Club America 1
26,113 September 13, 2008 Wizards 2, Los Angeles 0
Fast Facts:
Kansas City featured the same starting lineup for the third consecutive match, following a 1-0 road win at first-place Columbus on Wednesday, July 14 and a 1-1 draw at Colorado on Saturday, July 17.
Manchester United goalkeeper Ben Amos made his first appearance of United's North America 2010 Tour, recording nine saves.
Manchester United midfielder Nani also made his first appearance of the summer for the Red Devils, completing his comeback from a collar bone injury that forced him to withdraw from the 2010 FIFA World Cup after being named to Portugal's roster.
Kansas City Wizards striker Sunil Chhetri, the first Indian player in MLS history, made his second appearance with the first team since joining the club prior to the 2010 season. He had two shots on goal in 21 minutes of action.
Manchester United suffered the first loss of their 2010 North American Tour, following victories over Scottish club Celtic FC and MLS expansion squad Philadelphia Union.
Manchester United will next face the MLS All-Stars on Wednesday, July 28 in the 2010 AT&T All-Star Game.
The new attendance record surpasses the previous mark of 37,319 set on April 25, 2001 for a World Cup qualifier between the United States Men's National Team and Costa Rica.
Among the 52,424 in attendance, ticket holders came from 43 states and four different countries to see the first-ever event in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium.
Major League Soccer commissioner Don Garber was in attendance at the friendly, as was Manchester United legend Sir Bobby Charlton.
The pre-match festivities included a flyover from two military aircraft from Whiteman Air Force Base near Knob Noster, Missouri.
Players of 19 different nationalities played in the international friendly, led by USA and England with 8 representatives each.
Quotes:
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH PETER VERMES
On the game
"It was definitely a big game for our organization. Having the opportunity to play Manchester United, arguably the best club team in the world, was a huge accomplishment for the Kansas City area. It was tremendous to have 50,000 fans show their support at this game. I am extremely proud of the team for how they played during the game. To have the courage and competitive drive to stay ahead for 55 minutes while a man down was big."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD KEI KAMARA
On his goal
"Scoring a goal against them was big, but scoring a goal in front of that many Kansas City Wizards fans was bigger. The goal being a game winning goal was huge for me."
On building support in Kansas City
"Hopefully people will give us even more credit, and continue to come out and support us even more. We have a new stadium opening next summer and we still have four months left this season, so hopefully they will come out and see what we can do."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On the bid process
"This has a lot of ramifications in terms of us being a host city for the World Cup, for us to be able to handle a game of this magnitude and generate more than a 50,000 person crowd is great."
On playing Manchester United
"It was really exciting, we took the initiative and really made them play. We didn't allow them the time to do the things they like to do. We know it is their pre-season, but we knew we would get their best, but to be able to take it to them early was exciting."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER DAVY ARNAUD
On playing Manchester United
"It was very special, for one of the best clubs in the world to come to Kansas City and for us to have over 50,000 people, it was a really special night. It was obviously a great thing for the Wizards, but also for the fans. They came out and supported the game and hopefully they enjoyed it."
On his goal
"Teal (Bunbury) held the ball up well, so I tried to make a run because I knew he would play it back to Kei (Kamara). Kei saw me and played a perfect ball behind their defense. I had some time to think about it, I put it on frame and it went in. It was a good feeling, and a good time for us to score."
On moving forward
"As a group we have a lot of confidence in ourselves. In the last two games we've gotten big results, so hopefully this will propel us into the rest of the season."
MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER SIR ALEX FERGUSON
Overall assessment of tonight's game
"I thought the inexperience of the defenders showed itself in the first 15 minutes of the match. We never quite recovered from that until the second half. That was a handicap of that inexperience. We had a young goalkeeper, and he had to calm down. Their center forward (Teal Bunbury) was a handful, physically. We had a few chances; that is to be expected. We had a few good early ones from Diouf just after halftime. It was a competitive game and a good atmosphere. The stadium was terrific. The pitch was good. I don't have any complaints. I am quite satisfied with the progress we are making."
On the physicality of the game
"Well my experience with the game, so far, is that the committed American players are very athletic. It is a big game for them, you know. They're playing Manchester United. You have to expect that kind of motivation."
On his team's progression
"Well I think the things we're looking for are coming our way in the sense that we're getting our fitness through the games. Possession with the ball today was ragged at times. Normally we're much better. That hopefully will come better with more games. We picked up couple or three injuries this week, which isn't a concern, but it is disappointing for these players because it means they miss games. We want to make sure we get as many games as they can. Darren Fletcher and John O'Shea missed today's game with injuries. Picking up injuries from training or things like that. "
What did Kansas City do that caused problems with the Manchester United defense?
"They got an early goal. That gave them a good early start in the game. They're a big, strong team. They're athletic, very powerful. But I thought once we scored a goal, we'd be all right, but they scored a goal right away. (A tie heading into half) would have been something for us to hold onto for the second half."
What would you have liked to see your team do better after Jimmy Conrad was sent off?
"Well possession of the ball is something we're normally good at, but it was ragged today. Another thing is when you're down you need to make sure you hit the target. A lot of our shots were off target. I think we had six shots in the second half that were either by the post or over the bar. So that is a starting point and then you need to keep the ball in play. Keeping your shots on target, having good possession, not giving your opponents any feel of the ball. For quite a bit, we did okay in the sense that they got desperate with the defender and just kicking the ball down the pitch just to defend. Normally we can convert the ball in these situations and do quite well."
MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELDER RYAN GIGGS
On growth of soccer in the United States
"You can see through the standard of these teams, the standard of the U.S. national team, the crowd and the fans, it is definitely better."
MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELDER NANI
On Kansas City's style of play
"Their entire team played very well today. They played with a lot of motivation because they played Manchester United. It's difficult to compare them directly to Barcelona because they're one of the best teams in the world to play that kind of football, but they play very nice and quick and they passed the ball well like a quality Spanish club. Their style was good."
Major League Soccer Stories from July 25, 2010
- Kansas City Wizards Beat Manchester United 2-1 in Front of Record-Breaking Crowd at Arrowhead Stadiu - Sporting Kansas City
- Wizards Defeat Manchester United - MLS
- Kansas City Wizards Launch Sale of First 2,011 Season Tickets for 2011 MLS Season on Monday - Sporting Kansas City
- Red Bulls Outduel Manchester City, 2-1, in Barclays New York Challenge - Red Bull New York
- Sporting and Tottenham Draw 2-2 in Barclays New York Challenge - Red Bull New York
- Real Salt Lake Settles For 1-1 Draw With Chivas Usa - Real Salt Lake
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