Sports stats



MLS Sporting Kansas City

Wizards Cruise to 4-1 Win Over Atlanta Silverbacks in U.S. Open Cup

July 20, 2004 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Clarkston, GA- The Kansas City Wizards cruised to a 4-1 win against the A-League's Atlanta Silverbacks in Clarkston, Georgia Tuesday Night in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup. Davy Arnaud's two goals and one assist led the way as the Wizards advanced to the Quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament. Francisco Gomez and Diego Gutierrez each added a goal apiece as the Wizards poured on three second half goals after heading into the locker room tied 1-1 at halftime.

Kansas City immediately grabbed control of the match from the outset. The Wizards were able to string together pinpoint passes and wind their way through the Atlanta defense, but just missed on two early shots on goal, one from Francisco Gomez in the 3rd minute and another wide shot from Davy Arnaud in the 6th minute.

The Wizards precision passing and speed helped them jump out to the early lead. Francisco Gomez found Arnaud alone on the left flank in the 12th minute with a great ball from just right of center. Arnaud moved in on goal diagonally and let go of a wicked shot from towards the far post that beat Silverbacks goalkeeper Joe Barton. The ball kissed off the far most and rolled across the goalmouth before tucking inside the near post giving Kansas City the early 1-0 lead.

After allowing the Wizards to have their way from endline to endline early in the first half, Atlanta turned up the pressure with a number of chances in front of the Wizards goal late in the first period, led by former MLS midfielder Alex Pineda Chacon. Chacon took a side volley shot from just in front of the goal in the 34th minute that Wizards 'keeper Tony Meola could only punch away. Meola again had to work in the air on the ensuing corner kick, punching it out of the box.

Atlanta knotted the score in the 40th minute on a set piece goal from Chacon. After getting fouled outside the top of the Wizards box, Chacon set up an angled freekick from 20 yards out on the left side. His bullet ricocheted through the center of the Wizards wall and quivered towards the far post, catching Meola leaning the opposite direction. The ball settled into the back of the net evening the score a 1-1 with five minutes left in the first half.

Kansas City took the initiative in the opening stages of the second half, resuming their grip on the momentum and playing like team that began the match. In the 52nd minute, Davy Arnaud collected his second goal of the match tapping in a loose ball in front of the box after a Chris Klein corner kick. Jimmy Conrad got the initial touch on the floating ball inside the box, but it was Arnaud that put the ball away after falling at his feet.

Two minutes later, Arnaud set up the Wizards third goal of the match with a beautiful cross from the right side to Francisco Gomez on the left, just outside the top of the box. Gomez leapt to take the ball out of the air and sent a wicked one-time shot towards the far post, stunning Atlanta goalkeeper Joe Barton as the ball whizzed by him and into the back of the net.

The Wizards continued to pour on the pressure in the final minutes of the second half as Chris Klein had a 40-yard break away run, but his strike banged off the crossbar and back into play. Diego Gutierrez finished his opportunity in the 81st minute after collecting a nice lofted ball back to him near the top of the box from Chris Klein who was already deep into the Atlanta box. Gutierrez stepped around his defender and rocketed a right-footed shot inside the right post.

Kansas City played out the final minutes and walked away with the 4-1 victory. The Wizards will now host the Dallas Burn, who defeated Colorado 3-0, in the Quarterfinals of the U.S. Open Cup on Wednesday, August 4th. The match will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. CT at the Blue Valley Athletic Complex at 135th and Switzer.

Kansas City will return to MLS action this weekend when they host Western Conference rivals the Los Angeles Galaxy at Arrowhead on Saturday, July 24th. Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m. CT. First Place in the West will be on the line Saturday in one of the biggest matches of the year for both teams. The Wizards want fans to "Bury 'em in Blue" and encourage all fans attending Saturday's game to wear Wizard Blue and help cheer on the team in this important match. Saturday's match was originally scheduled for Saturday, August 27th, but was moved to July 24th. Fans can use their season tickets marked August 27th for admission to Saturday's match.

Check out the Sporting Kansas City Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from July 20, 2004


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent Sporting Kansas City Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central