Wizards Whip Galaxy to Force Game Three
Published on September 29, 2002 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
KANSAS CITY, Missouri - The Kansas City Wizards routed the top-seeded Los Angeles Galaxy 4-1 Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium. With the victory, Kansas City forces a decisive Game Three at Los Angeles on Wednesday, October 2nd to determine which team will advance to the Semifinal series.
The Galaxy defense played very loose in the first half, often giving the Wizards attackers space to operate in and around the penalty area. Kansas City exploited this weakness early, as Igor Simutenkov put the home side up 1-0 in the 19th minute of play. Simutenkov carried the ball all the way to the top of the box before the Galaxy players began to close in, giving the striker enough time and space to rip off an 18-yard shot that beat a diving Kevin Hartman.
The Wizards took advantage of a disorganized Los Angeles defense in the 37th minute, rushing forward on the attack. Defender Peter Vermes slipped the ball centrally to Eric Quill near the center of the box. Quill struck the pass quickly, beating Hartman to double the Kansas City lead before halftime.
The Galaxy came out stronger in the second half, showing more shape in the back and playing more aggressively in midfield. Simon Elliott came close to getting L.A. on the board in the 68th minute, sneaking behind the Wizards defense to get off a point-blank shot off a bouncing ball. Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola was in position however, and was able to push away the chance.
Preki scored the Wizards' third goal in the 70th minute of play, using the Los Angeles defensive wall to screen Hartman on a free kick restart. Preki's shot curled wickedly to the near post, dropping under the hand of Hartman.
As the Wizards moved to prepare for the ensuing restart, Galaxy midfielder Chris Albright seized the opportunity to put L.A. on the scoreboard. As soon as the referee signaled play to start, Albright took the opening kickoff and sent a long, soaring shot on goal. As Meola walked back to his goal line, his back to the play, the ball arced down the field and settled into the unprotected net.
The Wizards did not allow the Galaxy to begin a rally, as Kansas City immediately added another goal of their own in the 73rd minute. Quill stripped a Galaxy defender along the left sideline, quickly pushing the ball forward into space. Forward Dario Fabbro raced onto the ball, jumping into a breakaway rush before beating Hartman to the far post.
The Wizards' win knots the MLS Cup Playoff Quarterfinal series at three points apiece. Awarded three points for a win and one for a draw, a win by either team in Game Three will seal the series. A draw will force a series tiebreaker, the sudden death mechanism by which the Wizards eliminated the Galaxy en route to the 2000 MLS Cup Championship.
Game Three will take place on Wednesday, October 2nd at the Rose Bowl.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 29, 2002
- Fire Defeats New England 2-1 to Tie Series at Three Points - Chicago Fire FC
- Fire Offense Holds off Revolution - MLS
- Wizards Even Series with Compelling 4-1 Win Over Galaxy - Sporting Kansas City
- Rapids Force Game 3 with 1-0 Win Over Dallas - Colorado Rapids
- Earthquakes Knocked Out of MLS Cup Playoffs with 2-1 Loss to Columbus Crew in Game 2 - San Jose Earthquakes
- Rapids Force Game 3 With 1-0 Victory Over Burn - Colorado Rapids
- Galaxy Fall to Wizards, 4-1 - LA Galaxy
- Rapids Announce 2002 Award Winners - Colorado Rapids
- Colorado Gets by Dallas to Even Series - MLS
- Wizards Whip Galaxy to Force Game Three - MLS
- McBride, Crew Oust Defending Champs - MLS
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