The Columbus Crew were dealt a bitter blow, seeing the Kansas City Wizards score two goals in stoppage time to overcome a second-half Crew comeback and claim a 3-2 victory Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium.
Winless in six games entering the contest, the Crew desperately needed a victory, especially if they were going to pull back into the top eight in the MLS overall standings. But a contested penalty three minutes into stoppage time, converted by Eddie Johnson, then Scott Sealy's second goal of the game a minute later, gave the Wizards the victory.
The Crew had taken the lead with goals three minutes apart midway through the second half. Alejandro Moreno and Andy Herron scored to answer a first-half free kick goal from Sealy.
With both teams desperate to get back to the MLS Cup Playoffs -- which they have both missed over the last two years -- the first half featured plenty of midfield battles and stout defense, showing what was on the line in the match. The Wizards came into the game in sixth place in the MLS overall standings and the Crew tied for ninth overall, but a Columbus win would leave the teams just two points apart.
The Wizards put a spark in their offense in the 21st minute. Sealy laid the ball off to midfielder Davy Arnaud. Arnaud sent a diagonal pass across the field in front of the goal to Johnson, who unloaded a shot from about 15 yards out but Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer was in perfect position to snag the ball.
The Crew responded with a strong chance when forward Jason Garey freed himself for a shot in front of the Wizards goal. Garey's shot bounced off the post, and the Wizards escaped without any damage.
The Wizards lit up the scoreboard first on a free kick in the 31st minute, after Sealy was fouled by Crew defender Ezra Hendrickson. From about 25 yards out beyond the left corner of the penalty area, Sealy took the restart. His shot was well-placed and went high inside the right corner of the net.
The Crew showed the desperation of their situation after the break, and finally broke through with two goals in quick succession. First, they took advantage of a rebound from a shot by midfielder Eddie Gaven, after a cross by Garey in the 65th minute. Wizards 'keeper Kevin Hartman knocked out the effort, but Moreno headed in the rebound to tie the match at 1-1.
The goal seemed to energize the Crew and they struck again two minutes later, and Gaven was once again involved. He sent in a corner kick to Marcos Gonzalez, who then headed the ball back across goal to Andy Herron, who had just entered the match two minutes earlier. The Costa Rican tipped the ball in at the post to give the Crew the lead.
Then in stoppage time, the Wizards were awarded a controversial penalty kick when Crew defender Stefani Miglionranzi tripped Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin in the penalty area. Johnson then grazed the right post of the goal of the penalty kick, but the shot bounced into the net.
Barely a minute later, as the four minutes of stoppage time came to a close, Johnson went on a surge down the field, passing the ball to Eloy Colombano on the wing. He then sent in a cross that Sealy deposited into the corner of the net for the dramatic winner.
It marked just the third time in MLS history a team had trailed at the 90-minute mark and come back to win a game in stoppage time, the first since 2003.
Thomas Footeis a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
