Kansas City Wizards Fall to Colorado Rapids 2-1 Sat. as Kevin Hartman Breaks Career MLS Saves Record
March 28, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards fell to the Colorado Rapids 2-1 Saturday as Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made four stops to surpass former Wizards standout Tony Meola and capture the career MLS saves record. Kansas City forward Michael Kraus came on as a second-half substitute and tied another MLS record, scoring just two minutes into his MLS career. Kraus equaled the record feat accomplished previously by current teammate Josh Wolff (5/23/1998) and Sal Caccavale (5/19/2007).
Hartman entered the match trailing Meola by only one save for his 3rd major goalkeeping record. Hartman already held the all-time marks for career wins (138) and shutouts (77), but he tied Meola's mark with his 1136th career stop in the 44th minute off a hard-hit shot from Rapids midfielder Nick LaBrocca. Just two minutes later, Hartman became the all-time saves leader by smothering a shot off the left foot of Colorado forward Omar Cummings.
Kansas City had generated the first quality chances of the night, forcing a pair of saves from Colorado goalkeeper Matt Pickens before Hartman set his latest record. In the 23rd minute, Kansas City defender Jonathan Leathers curled a long pass to Argentine striker Claudio Lopez at the back post. Lopez headed the ball down and on goal, but Pickens was able to hold the well-placed shot. In the 31st minute, forward Abe Thompson flicked a long pass into the path of Lopez behind the defense, but Pickens again saved a hard-hit shot from a tight angle.
After the goalkeepers stole the show in the first half, the offenses showed their muscle in half 2. Colorado opened the scoring in the 65th minute off a free kick from midfielder Terry Cooke. Colin Clark drew a foul just outside the 18-yard area on the left in the 64th minute, allowing Cooke to enter the match for Jacob Peterson. Cooke stood over the ensuing dead-ball opportunity, placing a perfectly curled shot into the extreme upper-left corner of goal that gave Hartman no chance.
Kansas City answered back in the 69th minute through substitute forward Michael Kraus, who had entered two minutes earlier. Wizards right back Jonathan Leathers played a long ball out of the defensive third that bounced behind the Colorado defense for a streaking Kraus. Kraus collected the ball, dribbled into the penalty area and chipped a ball up and over onrushing goalkeeper Pickens. The ball skimmed the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the goal line to tie the game 1-1. Kraus' 1st career goal came just 1 minute, 56 seconds after he entered his regular-season debut to tie the record for fastest goal to open a career. Current teammate Josh Wolff first accomplished the feat 5/23/1998 while with the Chicago Fire. Former New York midfielder Sal Caccavale also scored two minutes into his career on 5/19/2007.
Colorado regained the lead just five minutes later, with Cooke again starting the play. After a Wizards corner kick, Cooke played a long ball out of the back for Colin Clark on the left wing. Clark carried the ball forward, then cut it back and played a diagonal pass to streaking forward Omar Cummings. Cummings took one touch then ripped a right-footed shot inside the left post from 18 yards out to put Colorado ahead by the final margin of 2-1.
Kansas City pushed forward in the dying moments, generating dangerous chances in the 87th minute and 93rd minute. Rookie Matt Besler entered in the 87th minute and nearly provided an assist on his 1st career touch. Forward Claudio Lopez slid a ball ahead to Besler on the left wing behind the defense, and Besler connected with a dangerous cross on the 1st touch. The ball was headed for Kraus at the near post, but Pickens came quickly off his line to punch the ball clear.
Then in the 93rd minute, Lance Watson won a corner kick for the Wizards that Lopez served into a dangerous spot in front of goal. Center back Jimmy Conrad rose to meet the ball, but his off-balance header went over the bar. Kansas City had one final corner kick attempt in the 94th minute, but a ball served by Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig was cleared by Colorado, and the final whistle blew.
A limited number of single-game tickets are still available for the Wizards next home match Sunday, April 5 at 2 p.m. CT against the San Jose Earthquakes at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The match, sponsored by Sprint, will serve as "Family Day" with Wizards players and coaches gathering at nearby Dave and Buster's for a post-game autograph session. The first 5,000 into the stadium will also receive team posters courtesy of Sprint. Contact the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or visit www.kcwizards.com for season tickets or ticket packages. For individual tickets, contact Ticketmaster via phone at (816) 931-3330 or online at Ticketmaster.com.
Major League Soccer Stories from March 28, 2009
- Kansas City Wizards Fall to Colorado Rapids 2-1 Sat. as Kevin Hartman Breaks Career MLS Saves Record - Sporting Kansas City
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- Kansas City Wizards Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman Breaks All-Time MLS Saves Record - Sporting Kansas City
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