Kansas City Wizards Triumph 4-0 Over D.C. United in Sold Out Season Opener
March 27, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The new-look Kansas City Wizards got their 2010 MLS season off to a rousing start on Saturday night, riding four goals from four different goal scorers in a 4-0 shutout victory over D.C. United in front of a sold-out CommunityAmerica Ballpark crowd on a cold and wet evening.
The Wizards' starting lineup made good use of Manager Peter Vermes' off-season acquisitions, as the manager handed MLS debuts to goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen and midfielders Stéphane Auvray and Ryan Smith.
Kansas City's new additions had an immediate impact on the game's opening minutes. Nielsen, signed from Danish side Vejle over the off-season, came up big with a save off a Jaime Moreno shot in the match's 3rd minute.
Englishman Ryan Smith gave United's defense trouble not long after Nielsen's save, working a quick give-and-go move with Josh Wolff to get a shot off that goalkeeper Troy Perkins could only parry away.
Smith would give Perkins trouble once again four minutes later, but this time it would pay off for Kansas City. The former Crystal Palace midfielder flew by D.C. defender Clyde Simms, firing a shot from the corner of the box that Perkins failed to control. Kei Kamara was in the right place at the right time to knock home the rebound, and the Kansas City Wizards took a 1-0 advantage.
The Wizards dominated possession after the first goal, controlling the flow of play and disrupting nearly all of United's forays into Kansas City territory. The match also began to get physical, with United's Dejan Jakovic and Kurt Morsink earning yellow cards for hard tackles on Arnaud and Smith, respectively.
United was dealt another blow when Clyde Simms was forced out of the game with a hamstring strain. He was replaced by defender Julius James.
The Wizards would strike again a few minutes after James' introduction, with Ryan Smith once again jumpstarting the Wizards attack. The midfielder did well to chest down a long ball forward from Stéphane Auvray before finding an onrushing Davy Arnaud at the top of the box. The Wizards captain took a touch and rifled a low rolling shot from 15 yards out that beat Perkins at the far post.
Kansas City started the second half like they started the first, dominating possession and creating dangerous scoring chances. Defender Jimmy Conrad gave United their first scare of the half with a corner kick header that bounced off the crossbar and out of bounds.
Kansas City continued their offensive onslaught, getting a third goal through Smith in the 54th minute. Defender Michael Harrington started the move with a slick no-look pass to Kei Kamara on the right wing. Kamara's ball across the box was driven enough to give Perkins some trouble, as the goalkeeper palmed the ball directly into the path of Smith. With a cool head, Smith split two D.C. United defenders with an easy pass into an open net.
The Wizards got their fourth goal from the penalty spot, as United defender Dejan Jakovic was called for a handball in the penalty area. Midfielder Jack Jewsbury stepped up for the ensuing spot kick, drilling his shot past Perkins to give the Wizards a 4-0 advantage in the 70th minute.
The Wizards will have two weeks to recover before their next MLS game, when the squad takes on the Colorado Rapids at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Saturday, April 10th.
Major League Soccer Stories from March 27, 2010
- Fire Defeated in 2010 MLS Season Opener - Chicago Fire FC
- Kansas City Wizards Triumph 4-0 Over D.C. United in Sold Out Season Opener - Sporting Kansas City
- Earthquakes Fall 3-0 to Defending MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake in Season Opener - San Jose Earthquakes
- Red Bulls notch first MLS win at Red Bull Arena - New York Red Bulls
- Toronto FC Signs Defender Gargan - Toronto FC
- Red-And-White Fall In Opening Match Of 2010 - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
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