Kansas City Wizards Fall to Chivas USA 2-0
July 10, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards lost Saturday 2-0 to Chivas USA after two second-half goals from Chivas striker Justin Braun. The match marked the 100th career game for Kansas City players Michael Harrington and Kei Kamara. It was also Kansas City defender Roger Espinosa's first game back at home after starting two games for Honduras in the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
The game got started offensively for the Wizards in the 3rd minute on a Josh Wolff corner kick. Wolff played it back for on-rushing Michael Harrington, who delivered a high cross to Ryan Smith. Smith struck the ball well, but right at Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton. Then, in the 15th minute, Kansas City's captain Davy Arnaud dribbled around two defenders to take a shot from 18 yards out, but it sailed just over the crossbar.
Forward Josh Wolff had a run toward goal in the 30th minute, but he was fouled from behind leaving the Wizards with a free kick from 25 yards out. Arnaud lined up to take the kick and, after Ryan Smith stepped over, Arnaud played the ball behind him to Kei Kamara, who rifled a shot past the wall toward the far post. Thornton was able to make the diving stop to send the ball over the end line.
Chivas USA nearly opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when Shavar Thomas was unable to fully clear the ball, and Chivas midfielder Blair Gaven was left with the ball in space. His shot from 30 yards was sent over the bar by Wizards goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, however.
In the 36th minute Zach Thornton came up injured after diving for the ball on a shot from Josh Wolff. Dan Kennedy was sent in to replace him between the posts.
Chivas USA showed took a 1-0 lead in the 56th minute when Justin Braun collected a ball near the top of the penalty area. Braun took three touches toward goal and beat keeper Nielsen to his right from the top of the box.
The Wizards nearly answered in the 68th minute when Ryan Smith had time to cross the ball into the middle of the box for Davy Arnaud's head. Arnaud's glancing header beat Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy but skipped off the crossbar and over for a goal kick.
Again five minutes later the Wizards had a chance to tie the game on a corner kick taken by substitute Graham Zusi. However, Stéphane Auvray, was unable to direct a shot on frame, and the ball went out for another goal kick.
Chivas USA sealed victory in the 87th minute after Justin Braun scored his second goal of the night. Braun intercepted a pass and curled a shot home from the top of the area. The game ended 2-0 after three minutes of stoppage time. The Wizards play a pair of road games next week, first visiting the Columbus Crew Wednesday before taking on the Colorado Rapids Saturday. The following weekend, English powerhouse Manchester United comes to Kansas City for the opening event at the New Arrowhead Stadium.
Fast Facts:
* Kansas City is now 3-8-3 (12 pts) on the season.
* The Wizards have allowed the first goal 9 times this season.
* Kansas City is 0-8-1 when allowing the first goal.
* The Wizards outshot Chivas 20-8 and held a 14-1 advantage in corner kicks.
* Chivas USA goalkeeper Zach Thornton left the match in the 1st half with a left ankle injury.
* Both Michael Harrington and Kei Kamara played their 100th MLS matches Saturday.
* Defender Roger Espinoza played his 1st home game since returning from Honduras World Cup duty.
* Kansas City was without striker Zoltan (torn ACL) and defender Matt Besler (ankle sprain).
* Wizards fans can watch tomorrow's World Cup final at the Kansas City Power & Light District in the final Summer of Soccer World Cup watch party.
Quotes:
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MANAGER PETER VERMES
On the team's performance
"There's nothing to say. I mean we dominated the entire game. We hit post, clay, everything, and obviously the final opportunity wasn't finished, off but we dominated the whole entire game."
On the result
"It's terrible. The guys put the effort in, they put everything in. We played exactly the way we had practiced all week. I commend them for the effort because the first half was probably the best half of soccer that we have played, and we came out in the second half with that same kind of intensity."
On Stéphane Auvray's play
"I thought he played very well. His distribution was fantastic tonight. Like I said our first half was the best half we played all year, and his distribution was very, very good. He is definitely getting back into his form."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER DAVY ARNAUD
On the game
"Everything we did tonight was right besides winning the game. Possession was good, so were the energy we brought, and the chances we created. We were all over them. It's frustrating and disappointing because you want the group to have a good feeling after the game after how much effort we put into it. We need to keep the same mentality going because if we keep putting out that much effort then things will turn around and go the other way for us."
On Michael Harrington's play
"Mikey's at the point now where he's played a lot of games and he's becoming more of a leader on this team. He's going to keep improving, and I'm happy for him because he's playing well, but he's got to keep it going."
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER STÃPHANE AUVRAY
On the team's performance
"I think we are on the right track, and sometimes in soccer you play good but you just don't have the result. If we keep playing we will have some results for sure."
On his fitness
"I was talking before the game and I was saying that I think I need two or three more weeks, and I should be 100 percent, but I am feeling better than the last game, and I hope the next game will be better than this one."
CHIVAS USA HEAD COACH MARTIN VASQUEZ
On recording their first MLS win since May 5th
"I think a great effort from our guys, especially after coming from playing Houston a few days ago and on the road against a very good team. We knew it was going to be difficult, and winning 2-0 is going to help us to keep building on our last game (a win in the US Open Cup) and now winning on the road."
On Justin Braun's two goals (He is now tied for 5th in the MLS for goals with 6)
"That's huge, and it is well deserved. He comes in every day and works. The last two games, he has come in and taken his chances, as well. He could have had another one (tonight), but I think the two chances he had, that ended up in goals, they were well taken."
On the defense, especially against all the corner kicks
"Well I would say that was why were able to win this game. Zach (Thornton) came out hurt but he came up big for us. We dealt with their dangerous forwards and their dangerous players. A zero here against a team that has very good individual players is difficult, so a lot of credit to our defense."
On getting an MLS win
"Obviously when we played Austin and Houston, we concentrated on the Open Cup. It's been good for us, so far. And we need to focus and concentrate on the MLS. And today, the guys had a level of concentration for 93 minutes and I think that is why we won."
CHIVAS USA STRIKER JUSTIN BRAUN
On his goals
"I think they were the result of good opportunities. The second goal, I think it was challenged well. The ball fell down to my foot, and I just tried to poke it around, and I was fortunate for it go in. The first one was kind of the same thing. I went up and someone challenged it and I just tried to push it. Once again, it went in for me. I guess the goals are coming for me now. That is nice. The team is winning. I thought the defense played strong tonight."
On what an MLS win does for the team's confidence
"It's huge. We've had a good streak with the Open Cup with a few wins and a tie, which is something we haven't had all year. The team is building confidence day by day, and I think we're coming together well as a team and playing well and fighting hard. I think that makes us hard to play against. I think that's the key for our success is that we're hard to play against."
On the defense
"They played great. I think Yamith (Cuesta), who hasn't played a lot this year, came in and stepped in and won a lot of balls for us, which is something we've been missing. Ante (Jazic) is always solid. Michael Lahoud is a very smart player, and I think he has keeps his calm back there and distributes it. Dan Kennedy came in and made some great saves for us and kept us in the game."
On being 5th in the MLS in goals
"That's my job. I'm a forward, and it's always nice when you're scoring. It puts a smile on your face. It shows that all my hard work has paid off for me. I put a lot into it this year at training and working on my touch and finishing. I think it is finally showing for me."
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