Wizards Fall to Seattle Sounders FC
Published on October 17, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards (8-13-8, 32 pts) fell to Seattle Sounders FC (11-7-11, 44 pts) Saturday night 3-2 in an exciting match at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Striker Josh Wolff scored his 11th goal of the season in the loss, setting a new career high. Wolff is now tied for 12th on Major League Soccer's all-time goals list with 73 career scores. He is tied for 5th in MLS in goals this season. Zoltan also scored for the Wizards in his first MLS start, scoring his 2nd goal of the season. The Wizards were eliminated from playoff contention earlier in the day by other results. Seattle clinched a playoff berth with the win.
Sounders FC took a lead in the 27th minute after a dangerous corner kick from Designated Player Freddie Ljungberg. The corner kick was headed for goal, but Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made the initial save. Seattle defender Tyrone Marshall pounced on the rebound, smashing the ball into the open net on the first touch for a 1-0 Seattle advantage.
The Wizards fought back in the second half, drawing level in the 51st minute before taking a lead in the 53rd. Zoltan tied the game for Kansas City, converting a low cross from Michael Harrington at the back post for his 2nd goal in a Wizards uniform in his first MLS start. Josh Wolff then put the Wizards ahead with his 11th strike of the season, setting a new career high. Midfielder Davy Arnaud lofted a ball over the defense to Wolff for a sliding finish from close range. The assist was Arnaud's 2nd of the season and the 30th of his career. He ranks 3rd on Kansas City's all-time assist list.
Seattle then tied and pulled ahead on plays again orchestrated by Ljungberg. In the 69th minute, Ljungberg served in a dangerous corner kick that was flicked on by Tyrone Marshall and finished by substitute forward Roger Levesque. In the 76th minute, Ljungberg carried the ball to the end line and played a cross backward for striker Nate Jaqua for a close-range finish to give the Sounders a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish. The win clinched a playoff berth for Seattle Sounders FC in the club's inaugural season. The 2009 MLS Cup will be played at Seattle's home stadium, Qwest Field.
Kansas City concludes the season next Saturday against D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The match will serve as Fan Appreciation Night, featuring a post-match autograph session. The first 5,000 fans will also receive Wizards T-shirts courtesy of Armed Forces Insurance. For information on tickets to the match, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or visit www.Ticketmaster.com/kcwizards.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 17, 2009
- Wizards Fall to Seattle Sounders FC - Sporting Kansas City
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- Fire battle Revolution to 0-0 tie - Chicago Fire FC
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- Toronto FC Defeats Real Salt Lake 1-0 - Toronto FC
- Revolution Present 2009 Team Awards - New England Revolution
- Revolution Assistant Coach Paul Mariner Resigns - New England Revolution
- Dynamo Host Los Angeles Galaxy In Regular Season Home Finale Sunday Afternoon - Houston Dynamo FC
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