Wizards Fall to D.C. United 1-0 Wednesday
September 9, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards (6-11-6, 24 pts) dropped a 1-0 decision to D.C. United (8-5-12, 36 pts) Saturday night at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The match marked the second game of a three-game road trip to the East Coast that will conclude Saturday with a game against the New York Red Bulls at 6:30 p.m. CT. Kansas City finished with a 16-12 advantage in shots but could not find the back of the net.
The Wizards nearly scored just two minutes into the game, when midfielder Jack Jewsbury played winger Claudio Lopez in behind the D.C. United defense with a long ball from the middle of the park. Lopez carried the ball into the area and played a cross along the ground for striker Davy Arnaud near the penalty spot. Arnaud hit a shot on the first touch, but D.C. United goalkeeper Josh Wicks held the opportunity for his first save of the match.
In the 14th minute, Lopez almost put the Wizards ahead when a free kick from the right winger was palmed just over the bar by Wicks after Lopez struck the bending shot well. D.C. United then headed a shot off the cross bar in the 24th minute, and Kansas City defender Jonathan Leathers had a shot saved by Wicks after a long run up the right wing.
Kansas City then generated multiple chances in the 36th and 37th minutes, but could not find the back of the net. Herculez Gomez unleashed a left-footed rocket that appeared destined for the top corner, but defender Bryan Namoff got a touch to the shot to push it off the bar and over. On the ensuing corner kick, the Wizards generated four shots but could not score. First, a Jimmy Conrad header went off the cross bar, then Conrad headed the ball again, which was saved by Wicks. The ball careened out to Jewsbury at the top of the penalty area, and his shot toward goal was chested down by a D.C. United defender. The ball popped free to striker Josh Wolff, who attempted a bicycle kick that was cleared off the line by United.
United promptly answered with a goal in the 39th minute after a corner kick of their own. The ball was first played short before Bryan Namoff met service into the box with a glancing header toward the back post. There, Chris Pontius dove to head the ball toward frame, but the shot struck the left upright and bounced toward the middle of the field. Brazilian striker Luciano Emilio was there to slam the loose ball into the open net from inside the six-yard area for a 1-0 lead D.C. would not relinquish.
Kansas City will be without a pair of players as the road trip concludes in New York. Rookie defender Matt Besler was shown his 5th caution of the season and will miss Saturday's game. Second-year midfielder Chance Myers will also miss out after receiving a pair of second-half yellow cards, leading to the first ejection of his professional career.
Soccer United Marketing (SUM), Saral, the Kansas City Wizards (Major League Soccer) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), announced August 26 that Mexico's most popular teams, Club América and Club Deportivo Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (Chivas), will add a new chapter to their storied rivalry when the clubs meet for another edition of Mexico's "Clásico Nacional," or national derby, on Wednesday, September 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game, which will celebrate Mexican Independence Day, will be presented by Bud Light.
Tickets are now on sale to the general public. Prices start at $25, and seats can be purchased by visiting the Kansas City Wizards front office at 8900 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206 or by calling the Wizards toll free at 1-877-828-7222 or 1-913-387-3400.
The Wizards conclude the three-game trip with a game against the New York Red Bulls Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match will be shown live on Metro Sports (English) and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish). The Wizards will not return to Kansas City until after the New York match. Media requiring phone interviews with Wizards players should contact Kyle Rogers in the Kansas City Wizards Media Relations Department at (913) 568-2213 or krogers@kcwizards.com.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 9, 2009
- Wizards Fall to D.C. United 1-0 Wednesday - Sporting Kansas City
- Crew, Houston prep for Sunday's showdown at Crew Stadium - Columbus Crew SC
- United Drives to collect toiletries during September - D.C. United
- Revolution's Jankauskas wins MLS goal of the week honors - New England Revolution
- Revs Travel to Take on Chivas USA - New England Revolution
- Kansas City Wizards Face D.C. United Tonight at RFK Stadium - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas signs midfielder/defender Daniel Hernandez - FC Dallas
- Toronto FC Announces Retirement of Danny Dichio - Toronto FC
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.
