MLS Sporting Kansas City

Wizards Secure One Point In San Jose

Published on October 10, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


SAN JOSE, CA (Saturday, October 9, 2004) - The Kansas City Wizards left their playoff futures to the final weekend of the 2004 Major League Soccer season. Kansas City (13-9-7, 46 points) and San Jose (9-10-10, 37 points) played to a scoreless draw Saturday night at Spartan Stadium. The Wizards will return home on Saturday, October 16th when they host the Galaxy in the final regular season game of the year. The Wizards only need a point to ensure the top seed in the West, but also know that a victory and a Columbus loss in Colorado would win the Wizards the Supporters' Shield.

Wizards goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi was certainly vital in his role in keeping the Earthquakes at bay on Saturday, the ten players in front of him including defender Jimmy Conrad and midfielder Diego Gutierrez also shared the load, managing to get one point on the road in front of 25,311 fans.

Both teams were missing key performers to World Cup qualifying duty. The Wizards were without Kerry Zavagnin and Josh Wolff (USA) while San Jose went without goalkeeper Pat Onstad and forward Dwayne De Rosario (Canada) and forward Landon Donovan (USA). Wizards forward Igor Simutenkov started the chain of chances by both sides in the 11th minute. Simutenkov took a freekick managing to direct the ball over the Earthquakes two man wall only for San Jose goalkeeper Jon Conway to collect.

Minutes later Francisco Gomez made a run down the flank crossing the ball into the middle of the box to Simutenkov who tried to maneuver between several Earthquake defenders. San Jose was able to clear the ball allowing a Kansas City corner kick. Simutenkov sent the ball into the box eventually finding Davy Arnaud. Arnaud got his foot on the ball but did not have enough to put it past Conway.

In the 25th minute, after a San Jose corner kick was deflected in the area, Brian Mullan tried to redirect a shot inside the far post, but couldn't get full force behind the effort and Oshoniyi was able to turn it aside.

Five minutes later, Oshoniyi reacted well to turn aside a blast from Todd Dunivant aimed inside his right-hand post, and from the ensuing corner, Ryan Cochrane sent a well-placed header toward goal, only for Gutierrez to clear it off his goal line.

The Wizards maintained their organization and discipline on the tight confines of the Spartan Stadium field, frustrating the home side. Kansas City's determination and poise allowed for the one point result. The second half allowed for numerous chances on both ends of the field. San Jose had an opportunity to break the tie in the 82nd minute. Richard Mulrooney collected a pass outside the area and took a shot. Oshoniyi was able to dive low and to his left, turning the effort off the left-hand post before slipping outside of the goal. Then four minutes later, the woodwork came to the rescue of Oshoniyi from the boot of Ramiro Corrales, but that was all the help he needed on the night.

Kansas City returns home on October 16th with Arrowhead Stadium playing host to a doubleheader with the U.S. Women's National Team taking on Mexico at Arrowhead Stadium. The Women's game will kickoff at 5:00 p.m. CT followed by the Wizards vs. Galaxy game at 7:30 p.m. CT. Individual tickets are available through Ticketmaster by calling 816-931-3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Groups of 20 or more may purchase tickets in any seating area and receive a $2 per ticket discount by calling the Wizards office at 816-920-9300.

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Major League Soccer Stories from October 10, 2004


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