Wizards Earn Berth to MLS Cup Final With 2-0 Shutout Over Galaxy
Published on November 5, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO - The Kansas City Wizards captured the Western Conference Title with a dramatic 2-0 shutout of the Los Angeles Galaxy at Arrowhead Friday Night, earning a berth to MLS Cup 2004 next Sunday afternoon. Davy Arnaud shrugged off a personal scoring drought and scored both goals in the Wizards win.
The Wizards defensive unit came up big once again as they earned their second shutout of the postseason and extended their scoreless streak at home to a remarkable 756 minutes, including regular season, U.S. Open Cup and playoff games. The last goal the Wizards allowed at home was back on August 14th against San Jose.
The Western Conference top seed got goals from Arnaud on lethal quick strikes midway through each half in front of a rambunctious crowd at Arrowhead Stadium, controlling large portions of possession during the match. The match began poorly for the home side as the Galaxy took advantage of sloppy touches by the Wizards to pressure early. But the visitors were unable to produce anything substantial.
Finding success through feeding forwards Arnaud and Josh Wolff, the Wizards earned the next three corners and the Galaxy's attention, nearly gaining the upper hand in the 19th minute as Arnaud played for Wolff over the top, putting him in on L.A. goalkeeper Kevin Hartman at a sharp angle. Hartman arrived quickly at his near post to watch Wolff's blast screw high and wide.
But the Wizards would not be denied for long. Receiving a sharp pass from Arnaud, a centrally positioned Wolff found his touch in front of two Galaxy defenders as Arnaud ran on through.
A perfectly-weighted pass hit Arnaud in stride near the top of the box and his shot split Hartman's legs and found net in the 24th minute. The goal was Arnaud's first since Aug. 21.
From that moment, the match was a different animal as two minutes later fisticuffs nearly ensued. Wizards center back Jimmy Conrad and the Galaxy's Peter Vagenas went up for a 50/50 challenge that ended with Conrad recovering on the pitch.
Conrad's teammates came to his aid and a fracas broke out. Order was restored as Vagenas saw yellow from referee Abbey Okulaja, but each penalty area encounter after involved a variety of tactical and theatrical pushing and shoving.
After the goal, the Galaxy didn't have much of an answer, as first Kerry Zavagnin then Jack Jewsbury tested Hartman with angled drives, the L.A. netminder doing especially to just get a hand to Jewsbury's shot that nearly wrong-footed him.
The only chance came on a quick counterattack which saw Jovan Kirovski well placed, but he hit a tame shot right into Bo Oshoniyi, once again starting in place of Tony Meola, who not available for duty on the night, still suffering from an Achilles injury.
The second frame began with a start as the Wizards attacked down the right flank from an Oshoniyi outlet to right back Alex Zotinca. The ball found its way to Wolff, who set off on a diagonal run before putting midfielder Diego Gutierrez in on Hartman, only to see his near-post effort smothered.
The Galaxy were able to keep the match close thanks to Hartman, but were sputtering on attack as Kansas City center midfielders Zavagnin and Gutierrez halted attack after attack, cutting off passes in the midfield and seemingly swarming in on all possessions the Galaxy put together.
Hoping to bring some continuity to the Galaxy attack, Andreas Herzog entered the fray in the 59th minute for Cobi Jones -- still seemingly slowed by a heel injury.
But The Wizards remained dangerous and capitalized on the Galaxy's forward push 10 minutes later. Some 25 yards out, Zotinca found time on the right side of the Galaxy box, spied Arnaud making a run behind the defense and coolly played into his path.
Arnaud rounded the on-rushing Hartman and shot from an acute angle. Hurrying back, center back Danny Califf tried in vain to clear the ball off the line, but it wasn't enough to keep Arnaud's second out and making the way clear for the Wizards to tuck away the triumph.
The Galaxy nearly got on the board in the 73rd minute as an attempt whisked by the post to the left of Oshoniyi. But their fate had been already been determined, once again losing out on an opportunity to play an MLS Cup Final on their own field.
Kansas City will await the outcome of Saturday's Eastern Conference Final between D.C. United and the New England Revolution at RFK Stadium (6:00 p.m. CT). The Wizards will take on the winner at MLS Cup 2004, which will take place on Sunday, November 14th. Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ABC.
Major League Soccer Stories from November 5, 2004
- Wizards Earn Berth to MLS Cup Final With 2-0 Shutout Over Galaxy - Sporting Kansas City
- Galaxy knocked out of 2004 MLS Cup playoffs - LA Galaxy
- FC Dallas to hold Town Hall Meeting Tuesday Night at Marriott in Addison - FC Dallas
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