MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Fall to Colorado Rapids 2-1

Published on August 16, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


The Kansas City Wizards fell to the Colorado Rapids 2-1 Saturday in chilly Commerce City, Colorado, as goalkeeper Kevin Hartman recorded five saves to push his career total to 1099. Hartman will become just the second player in MLS history to surpass the 1100-save plateau with his next stop. Wizards midfielder Michael Harrington scored his first goal of the season late in the first half. Colorado's Conor Casey proved to be too much for the Wizards, however, as his two goals gave the Rapids three points.

Colorado opened the scoring in the 11th minute through a short header from Casey. Colorado earned a throw in deep in the Wizards half on the right flank. Right winger Terry Cooke threw the ball short to playmaking midfielder Mehdi Ballouchy. Ballouchy held the ball up, then laid it back to Cooke who swung in a cross very near the end line at the back post. Casey out-leaped his defender and nodded the ball into the net from close range for his fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 Rapids lead.

Kansas City leveled the score just before halftime through midfielder Michael Harrington. Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin played a long ball out of midfield over the top for striker Josh Wolff up the left side. Wolff was alone behind the defense and carried toward goal, eventually cutting it back to strike partner Davy Arnaud at the top of the 18-yard area. Arnaud took a touch then fed centrally for midfielder Sasha Victorine. Victorine fired on goal, but goalkeeper Preston Burpo made the initial save. The ball caromed to the feet of Harrington 15 yards from goal, and the second-year player slotted the ball into the open net to tie the score 1-1.

Casey then put the Rapids ahead for good early in the second half. The strong target forward collected a loose ball in the penalty area in the 47th minute, held off a defender and unleashed a hard shot toward the back post. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman got his hand to the shot but could not keep it out of the net, and Colorado held their 2-1 advantage throughout the remainder of the match.

Kansas City returns home next Saturday, August 23 for a 7 p.m. kickoff against FC Dallas at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The Wizards are 3-2-4 in their last nine matches and remain in a three-way tie for 5th place in the highly competitive Eastern Conference standings with Red Bull New York and Toronto FC. New York and Toronto meet Sunday in New York.

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 16, 2008


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