NURNBERG, Germany - Playing their first preseason match at full-strength, the Kansas City Wizards topped 1st FC Nürnberg Amateurs 3-1 in frigid conditions. Fourth-year player Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. earned the Wizards' man of the match honors, assisting on all three of Kansas City's goals.
All-Star striker Josh Wolff got the visitors on board early, deftly slotting a shot past the Nürnberg keeper one-on-one in the 8th minute. Second-year player Scott Sealy got the ball out wide on the left-hand side on a through ball from Burciaga and beat his defender to the inside. Nearing the corner of the penalty box, Sealy played the ball off to Wolff in front of the net for the finish and a 1-0 Kansas City lead.
The Wizards' second goal was a beauty that midfielder Sasha Victorine vollied out of mid-air to put KC up 2-0 in the 20th minute. Once again in the mix, Burciaga carried the ball out wide to the left side and whipped in a cross onto the back post where it found new Wizards striker Eddie Johnson. Johnson one-timed the Burciaga cross, volleying it to the onrushing Victorine who placed it in the upper corner.
1FCN closed the gap to 2-1 before halftime, scoring its only goal of the match, converting a penalty kick after defender Jimmy Conrad was whistled for a foul in the box.
Kansas City added its third and final goal just before the final whistle blew, and just like the first two, it was Burciaga who got the ball rolling. The Duncanville, TX native picked off an attempted clearance by the Nürnberg defense and quickly played the ball up high to Johnson. With a head of steam, Johnson blew by a pair of defenders and lifted the ball over the outstretched arms of the Nürnberg keeper to make it 3-1 Wizards in the 85th minute.
Next up for Kansas City is Second Division Regensberg tomorrow, Wednesday, March 15th at 3:00 p.m. local time following an early morning training session at 9:00 a.m.
Scoring
8' - Wolff (Sealy)
20' - Victorine (Johnson)
36' - 1FCN (penalty kick)
85' - Johnson (Burciaga)
Lineup
GK: Oshoniyi (45-Hesmer), Burciaga (85-Shirley), Garcia (69-Raybould),
Conrad, Groenwald (45-Thomas), Zavagnin (80-Hue), Victorine (45-Zotinca),
Jewsbury (45-Watson), Sealy (45-Arnaud), Johnson, Wolff.
