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Kansas City Wizards Tie FC Atlas 0-0 Sunday in SuperLiga Match at Hermann Stadium in St. Louis

June 21, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


The Kansas City Wizards (0-0-1, 1 pt) tied Mexican partner club FC Atlas (0-0-1, 1 pt) 0-0 Sunday in stifling heat at Robert R. Hermann Stadium on the campus of St. Louis University in both team's SuperLiga opener. The match was played at Hermann Stadium because Kansas City's home field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark was unavailable. Kansas City outshot Atlas 12-9 with a 5-2 edge in shots on goal. Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made two saves, including an outstanding diving effort to deny a Dario Bottinelli free kick in the 1st half.

Kansas City pushed the game early, forcing Atlas goalkeeper Jose Francisco Canales to make a pair of saves in the 4th and 13th minutes. First, Claudio Lopez took a free kick that was deflected back to him. He took a touch then fired a shot on goal that Canales held. Then in the 13th minute, Gomez turned toward goal after a feed from striker Josh Wolff and shot from the top of the 18. Canales made a diving save, however, to deny the Kansas City midfield. Gomez proved dangerous again in the 21st minute, firing a shot just wide of the back post from 20 yards out.

In the 31st minute, Hartman made a highlight reel save to keep the match level at 0-0. Atlas attacking midfielder Dario Bottinelli drew a foul on Wizards left back Matt Besler 20 yards from goal near the right side of the penalty area. Bottinelli took the ensuing corner kick, bending the ball down over the wall toward the back post. The shot was headed for goal, but Hartman extended fully to tip the shot wide.

Though shots were even in the 2nd half, Kansas City was the more dangerous team. Midfielder and St. Louis University alum Jack Jewsbury hit a shot just over the crossbar in the 52nd minute. Striker Josh Wolff then beat two players with nifty footwork before firing a left-footed shot on goal in the 72nd minute that Canales smothered.

In the 81st minute, Kansas City nearly converted to take a lead when midfielder Roger Espinoza completed a long string of combination passes by slipping substitute forward Abe Thompson through between a pair of Atlas defenders. Thompson was closed down quickly, however, and his shot toward goal flew just wide of the back post.

Atlas nearly responded in the 82nd minute with a goal. After a cross from the left flank, Edgar Pacheco lofted a shot toward the back post from the top of the 18-yard area. His chip attempt sailed just high and wide of the top-left corner, however, and the match ended at 0-0.

The Wizards now travel to play New England in their 2nd SuperLiga match this Wednesday, June 24 at Gillette Stadium. Kansas City will then host Mexican club Santos Laguna Sunday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City.

Following the conclusion of SuperLiga group play, Kansas City will play a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match Tuesday, June 30 at the Minnesota Thunder at 7:35 p.m. CT. The Wizards then return to MLS League play Saturday, July 4 against the red-hot Houston Dynamo at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 8 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to stay for a fireworks spectacular after the game.

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