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MLS Sporting Kansas City

KCW Juniors U-19 Team Claims Spot in National Championship Final

July 24, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


(July 24, 2008) Little Rock, Ark. - For the second consecutive day, the final 15 minutes made all the difference for the KCW Juniors U-19 team at the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships. Tied 1-1 with Colorado's Rush Nike, the Wizards' conditioning again carried them down the stretch as they netted two late goals en route to a 3-1 win that secures their spot in Sunday's national championship game.

"Our fitness is really carrying us through," head coach Jon Parry said after the game. Parry attributed late freshness to his side's run through the Kansas State Cup and Region II tournaments. Thursday's victory affords Parry the luxury of resting many key players against North Texas' Solar Red, who also claimed a spot in the championship Thursday, beating Maryland's Freestate United 4-0.

The Wizards jumped out to an early lead when forward Giovanni Edward raced onto a through ball near the top of the penalty area. Rush goalkeeper Morgan Maestes saved Edward's initial shot, but the Wizard forward was first to the rebound for his second goal of the tournament to give his side a 1-0 lead in the 12th minute.

The Wizards pressure continued in the game's first half hour, as they created seven total shots and forced Maestes into three saves in the first half. Rush struggled to create anything on offense, relying on long through balls, counterattacks and long shots. The Wizards pressed hard in midfield and prevented Rush from organizing any attacks.

That changed in the last 15 minutes of the half, and Rush was unlucky not to go into halftime with a tie. It was in this period that Rush finally maintained some possession, and in the first minute of stoppage time the Wizards goalkeeper Alex Burton had his crossbar to thank for protecting the lead after a close range shot failed to find its way under the post.

After the restart, Rush continued to press forward and needed only 19 seconds to find a reward. Benjamin Medina ran onto a flicked header near the top of the Wizards penalty area, beat a defender and hit a low left-footed shot past Burton and into the far side of the net. It was a frustrating start to the half, Parry said, because his team had talked at the break about staying focused.

Rush nearly took the lead in the 72nd minute. The Wizards cleared a dangerous free kick, but only as far as the wing. The ensuing cross found an unmarked Rush attacker, but Burton dove quickly to his right to parry the shot wide. Burton's tip didn't get out of bounds, but the Wizards defense did well to block two Rush shots in the scramble that followed.

Six minutes later, it was the Wizards who grabbed the lead. Edward steamrolled into the Rush box, drawing two defenders. As he approached the end line, he played the ball back across his body and through the defense. Maestes dove, but the cross eluded him. Substitute winger Josh Westberg had plenty of time to compose himself before tapping the ball into the empty net.

Rush pushed every field player forward, leaving Maestes unprotected in a counter attack. In the second minute of stoppage time, the Wizards took advantage and scored an insurance goal. Spencer Nash slid a ball to substitute forward Chase McCoy. With Maestes way off his line, playing as more of a sweeper than a goalkeeper, McCoy slid the Wizards' third goal into the empty net from about 35 yards out.

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