Wizards Advance Past Minnesota Thunder Tuesday in Thrilling Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Contest
July 1, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards advanced to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals Tuesday by winning in a penalty kick shootout against the Minnesota Thunder (USL-1). The Wizards and Thunder played to a 3-3 draw after regulation and extra time, with each team scoring one goal in overtime. Kansas City then advanced by converting all four of their penalty kicks, with goalkeeper Boris Pardo stopping a pair of Minnesota penalties to clinch advancement.
Kansas City opened the scoring in the 17th minute when left-sided midfielder Roger Espinoza played a cross through penalty area after rookie Graham Zusi laid the ball back in traffic. Forward Michael Kraus slid to touch home a shot inside back post for a 1-0 Kansas City lead.
One minute later, Minnesota was called for a penalty kick after a cross into the penalty area. Wizards forward Abe Thompson stepped to the penalty spot and buried a shot inside the lower-left corner of goal past the outstretched hand of Minnesota goalkeeper Nic Platter for a 2-0 Kansas City lead in the 19th minute.
Minnesota's number 10 Ricardo Sanchez then converted penalty kicks in the 41st and 83rd minutes to draw the match level at 2-2 after regulation.
Kansas City went back ahead in the 105th minute after Claudio Lopez struck a corner kick from the right corner flag. Josh Wolff flicked a cross on from the near post, and a group of Wizards players converged, with center back Rauwshan McKenzie heading the ball home from close range for a 3-2 overtime lead.
Once again, Minnesota came back, scoring in the 114th minute. After a goal kick, Ricardo Sanchez sent a long ball out of midfield behind Kansas City's defense. Forward Melvin Tarley raced in behind to chip the ball up and over onrushing Kansas City goalkeeper Boris Pardo to tie the match 3-3 and send it to penalty kicks.
In penalties, Kansas City shooters Claudio Lopez, Josh Wolff, Abe Thompson and Herculez Gomez all converted their shots. Minnesota's 1st two shooters, Jon Greenfield and Ricardo Sanchez buried their attempts, but Wizards goalkeeper Pardo came up huge on the next two. Pardo first stopped Thunder captain Jeremiah Bass who tried playing the ball into the left corner, then denied Dale Weiler who went right to clinch Kansas City victory.
The Wizards return to MLS League play this Saturday, July 4 against the red-hot Houston Dynamo at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 8 p.m. CT. Fans are encouraged to stay for the largest fireworks spectacular in Kansas City after the game, presented by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas. The Wizards will host several family-friendly events to celebrate America's Independence Day including: a dunk tank, soccer inflatables, apple bobbing, sidewalk chalk and a halftime relay race.
Kansas City will play the winner of Wednesday's contest between Seattle Sounders FC (MLS) and Portland Timbers (USL-1). If Seattle wins, the Wizards will travel to Seattle Tuesday, July 7 for the quarterfinal match. If Portland wins at home, the Wizards will host the 2nd division side Tuesday, July 7 at Shawnee Mission North High School.
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