Wizards Fall to Crew 1-2 in Exhibition Game
March 29, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards played their ninth preseason game recording their first loss as the Wizards close in on the team home opener on Saturday, April 12th at Arrowhead Stadium. The Wizards dropped a 1-2 decision to the Columbus Crew at Wantland Stadium on Saturday night. Crew midfielder Diego Walsh put Columbus on the board in the 10th minute after collecting a ball off the right post from forward Dante Washington. The Wizards came back early in the second half in the 51st minute when Wizards forward Josh Wolff ran on to a ball from Preki and slide the ball past Crew goalkeeper John Busch into the left corner of the goal. Columbus won the game in the 83rd minute with a goal from forward Dante Washington who combined with Walsh to put the crew up 2-1. The Wizards will play their next exhibition in Tulsa on Saturday, April 5th.
3' In the opening minutes of play Wizards forward Igor Simutenkov looked to score early. Simutenkov in the middle of the box passed the ball back to midfielder Francisco Gomez who turned and dumped a pass to midfielder Diego Gutierrez who was in the corner of the box. The ball was taken away by the Crew defense.
10' Crew forward Dante Washington worked his way into the box and hit the right post. The ball then ricocheted off the post onto the foot of Crew midfielder Diego Walsh. Walsh buried the ball into the left corner of the goal. Meola tried to make the diving save right but the ball just passed him.
18' Wizards defender Jose Burciaga matched up against Crew midfielder Diego Walsh who collected a through ball from Crew midfielder Freddy Garcia. Burciaga stripped the ball from Walsh as Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola was there to clear the ball and move the Wizards forward.
25' Wizards defender Jose Burciaga sent a perfect ball to Wizards forward Chris Brown who was running down left flank. Brown played the ball through to forward Igor Simutenkov. Simutenkov looked to tie the game but the ball was cleared out by Crew defense.
45' The first half came to a close with the Wizards trailing 1-0. 51' Kansas City Wizards forward Josh Wolff got the Wizards on board and tied the score with help from midfielder Preki. Preki down the left center sent a through ball for Wolff. Wolff ran onto the ball and lined a right-footed shot from 10 yards out. The ball landed in the back left of the net pulling Kansas City even at one apiece. 72' Wizards midfielder Eric Quill coming on in the second half made an impact in the 72nd minute. Quill worked his way through Crew defenders Nelson Akwari, Ross Paule and Chad McCarthy looking to put the Wizard ahead. The ball went to the left of the goal.
82' Columbus went up 2-1 in the 82nd minute on another combination play between Crew midfielder Diego Walsh and forward Dante Washington. Walsh carried the ball deep into the right side of the box and played the ball across the goalmouth to Washington. Washington waiting collected and slipped the ball just inside the six-yard box. The goal was enough to put the Crew up 2-1 to win the game.
The Kansas City Wizards will meet the Dallas Burn next weekend on Saturday, April 5th in their second of five exhibition games this season. The Wizards are chartering a bus to Tulsa, for information call 816-920-4730. The Wizards will open the 2003 MLS season on Saturday, April 12th at Arrowhead Stadium. The game will kick off at 7:00 p.m.
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Major League Soccer Stories from March 29, 2003
- Wizards Fall to Crew 1-2 in Exhibition Game - Sporting Kansas City
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