Wizards Extend Streak With 1-0 Win Over Burn, Move into Second in the West
Published on October 18, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (Saturday, October 11, 2003) - Jimmy Conrad scored the game's only goal then the Kansas City Wizards completely shut down the Dallas Burn attack as they eased to a 1-0 victory on Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium. The defensive effort led to the team's fourth shutout of the season and Tony Meola's MLS record 48th career clean sheet. With their fourth straight win, the Wizards move into second place in the Western Conference and enjoy a one point lead over the Colorado Rapids, following their 4-3 loss at Chicago, with one week remaining in the regular season.
Conrad's clear header in the 15th minute was all the Wizards needed, as they put on an assured defensive display the rest of the way with the Burn (5-19-5, 20 pts.) managing only five goal attempts, just one on target. With the victory, Kansas City (11-10-8, 41 pts.) extends their winning streak to four games, their longest of the season and longest since 2000.
A cautious opening quarter-hour was punctuated by the lone goal. Preki won a corner then flighted the ball across the top of the six-yard box where Conrad came in battling Dunseth, but easily power a header home for his fourth goal of the campaign.
It was Preki's league-leading 17th assist, and two more services from the 40-year-old midfielder led to good opportunities, Conrad again flashing in at the near post in the 27th minute for a clear header but putting it just over, then Wolde Harris getting up well for a free kick, but Burn 'keeper D.J. Countess wasn't troubled.
A goal up, and at home, the Wizards were then content to take care of things in the back first, keeping the Burn without a single shot at goal until the 30-minute mark. That effort, a free kick from Chad Deering which caused Tony Meola no problem, saw the Wizards 'keeper follow with a quick throw that set off a counter leading Chris Klein on a good effort on the run, which sailed over the bar.
Preki narrowly missed a close shot in the 35th minute finishing off another counter, hitting a curling first-time shot from the right side of the 18-yard box that just bent around the far upper corner.
Over the final 45 minutes, the Wizards were content to continue the defending-first philosophy, and it worked as the Burn didn't manage a single shot on goal in the second half. The Kansas City defense, centered by Diego Gutierrez and flanked by Jimmy Conrad and Nick Garcia did well in closing off the Dallas attack through the second half
Twice the Wizards nearly created the breakaway opportunities to grab a second goal, but Countess stopped Klein at close range on a angled shot in the 55th minute, then in the final minute Brian Dunseth made a wonderful last-gasp tackle after running down substitute Francisco Gomez from behind.
Kansas City concludes their 2003 regular season next weekend with a trip to the Nation's Capital when they take on D.C. United at RFK Stadium. The match will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on Metro Sports. Kansas City will then face the Colorado Rapids in the first round of the playoffs, once at home and once on the road. With Kansas City leading Colorado by one point in the standings, the battle for home field advantage will go down to the final game of the season. For information on when the Wizards will host their home leg of the two-game series, log on to www.kcwizards.com.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 18, 2003
- Galaxy Blanks Earthquakes, 3-0 - MLS
- Wizards Extend Streak With 1-0 Win Over Burn, Move into Second in the West - Sporting Kansas City
- Armas's Late Goal Wins it for Fire - MLS
- Revs' Unbeaten Streak Extended to Six Games - New England Revolution
- MetroStars Fall to Revs, 2-1 - Red Bull New York
- Early Score Enough for Wizards - MLS
- Noonan Pushes Revs Past MetroStars - MLS
- Colorado Rapids Game Notes - Colorado Rapids
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