Forward Eddie Johnson scored the game's only goal in his return from United States National Team duty with Kansas City turning out to see his return. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman played well, stopping three shots and controlling his penalty area for his 4th shutout of the season and the 66th of his career. The Wizards drew a season-high 11,766 fans to the match as they halted a six-game winless streak; the Wizards went 0-3-3 while Johnson was with the national team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup and later the Copa America competition.
Kansas City dominated the run of play, recording 20 shots to RSL's five. The Wizards first quality scoring opportunity came just two minutes into the match through Argentinean playmaker Carlos Marinelli. Marinelli collected a ball on the left side of the penalty area, firing a left-footed shot from 19 yards out that Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando leaped to parry aside.
In the 11th minute, forward Davy Arnaud was the beneficiary of Marinelli and Johnson's creativity. Marinelli lofted a ball across his body to a streaking Johnson. The RSL defense expected Marinelli to play the ball to the right corner, but his vision allowed him to pick out Johnson and put a well-weighted pass over the top for the speedy striker. Johnson then laid the ball off for Arnaud at the top of the penalty area, but his shot went just inches wide.
Four minutes later, Arnaud again caused problems. Left back Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. played a long, left-footed ball over the top of the defense that Arnaud brought down neatly and carried toward goal. Arnaud fired right-footed toward goal, but Rimando again was there to push the ball wide.
Burciaga delivered another excellent long ball in the 19th minute, this time springing Johnson for the game-winning goal. Burciaga played the ball diagonally a full 45 yards for Johnson who chested it down and carried the ball toward goal. Rimando came off his line to cut down the angle, and Johnson fired a right-footed shot that beat Rimando only to bounce off the inside of the right post. Johnson continued his run and the ball bounced directly back to him for an easy, right-footed tap in from the top of the six-yard area.
The goal was Johnson's 10th of the season, putting him tied into first place on the MLS scoring chart past Juan Pablo Angel of Red Bull New York and even with Luciano Emilio (who scored twice tonight for D.C. United). Johnson now has an MLS-high six game-winning goals, and the Wizards are a perfect 7-0-0 when he scores.
Marinelli took another dangerous shot in the 32nd minute after a nice pass from midfielder Michael Harrington. Harrington and Arnaud worked a nifty give-and-go on the left side to put the rookie winger into space on the left. Harrington held the ball up near the end line and played it back for Marinelli near the penalty spot. Marinelli shot on the first touch with his left foot. The ball appeared to be headed for the upper left corner of the goal, but Rimando leaped to palm the ball over the bar and keep RSL within one goal.
Real Salt Lake broke through for its first shot in the 41st minute on a breakaway by forward Kyle Brown. Brown got behind the Wizards defense, but his off-balanced shot deflected wide off Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
RSL played more organized and generated more chances in the second half, but the Wizards maintained their dangerous form, nearly striking again in the 53rd minute. Johnson received a quick ball into space in the Wizards half behind Salt Lake's back line form Marinelli. The diagonal ball caused Johnson to slow his pace, however, and Real was able to recover and hold Johnson without taking a shot.
In the 66th minute, Johnson again found himself behind the RSL defense after second-half substitute forward Yura Movsisyan flicked a loose ball over the Real back line for Johnson who was held on by a back-side defender. Johnson carried the ball 10 yards before firing for the upper right corner of the goal. Johnson beat Rimando but the ball slid just high and wide of target.
Real Salt Lake's best scoring opportunity came in the 79th minute when a Burciaga header back to Hartman hung in the air and allowed forward Atiba Harris to make a play for the ball. Harris touched the ball at the same time Hartman did, and the deflected ball landed in the middle of the penalty area with an open net ahead of it. Burciaga was there, however, to atone for the play and cleared the ball into the stands for a corner kick.
Harris again posed problems in the 85th minute after a light rain began. Harris slid around two defenders in the penalty area and fired from a tough angle on goal from point-blank range. Hartman stood his ground, however, and the ball caromed off his shoulder and out of bounds.
Kansas City nearly capped the game in grand style, as Movsisyan got free behind the Salt Lake defense in the 93+ minute. Movsisyan worked into the penalty area and cut to his right to create space. His right-footed shot from the penalty spot was blocked, however, and the game ended shortly thereafter.
The Kansas City Wizards next match is Sunday, July 22, at 7pm (CT) versus the Colorado Rapids at Arrowhead Stadium. Three Wizards players, forward Eddie Johnson, defender Jimmy Conrad and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman will leave Tuesday morning for Denver to play in the 2007 MLS All-Star Game (Thursday, 8pm CT on ESPN2).
Notables:
• Following the match, Kansas City sits 7-5-4 (25 pts.) in 2nd place in the competitive Eastern Conference, just one point behind leader New England Revolution.
• Kansas City is now 4-3-1 at home and 5-0-2 when scoring the first goal in 2007.
• The Wizards improved to 5-5 in one-goal games. Only Houston Dynamo (11) have played more one-goal games than the Wizards.
• Real Salt Lake Assistant Coach Brian Johnson spent five seasons as a Wizards defender/midfielder. He played in 67 games and scored one goal and recorded eight assists.
• Former Wizards forward Chris Brown did not travel to Kansas City due to injury suffered in training Friday. He was scheduled to start.
• Eddie Johnson, Jimmy Conrad, and Kevin Hartman will take part in the 2007 All-Star roster which faces off against Celtic FC July 19, 2007 at 8 CT.
• Johnson and Conrad were named to the MLS All-Star First XI in voting done by fans (25 percent), fellow players (25 percent), coaches/ general managers (25 percent) and media members (25 percent).
• Tonight was Eddie Johnson's first appearance for the Wizards since June 2 vs. New York, in which he recorded his second-straight hat trick.
• Johnson had a two game hat trick streak coming into tonight, but did extend his scoring streak to three games. Johnson has recorded either a goal or an assist in four straight.
• Kansas City is 7-0-0 when Johnson scores this season and 7-2-1 in games he starts.
• Johnson missed six games due to National team duty; Johnson scored two international goals, one vs. Trinidad and Tobago (June 9) and one vs. Argentina (June 28).
• Johnson has scored a league-leading (tie) 10 goals in his 10 games with Kansas City. He also leads the league with 6 game-winning goals.
• Kansas City continued with its fast-paced play, recording 20 shots.
• The Wizards have posted 20 shots or more on four occasions this season.
• The Wizards have now taken a league-high 248 shots this year, while conceding only 167 shots.
• Kansas City's 81-shot margin is by far the largest in MLS this season.
• Kevin Hartman posted his first shutout since May 5 against Columbus. He now has an MLS-record 66 on his career.
• Jimmy Conrad made his first appearance in Kansas City since June 24 against the Houston Dynamo. He missed two games because of National team duty.
• Real Salt Lake's last goal came on July 4 in the 45th minute vs Toronto FC; they lost the match 2-1. That makes for a 225-minute goalless streak for the club.
• The Kansas City Wizards Player's Wives club will be holding a Teddy Bear drive before the July 22 match against Colorado. Bring a Teddy Bear to receive an autographed Wizards player card.
• During halftime, 32 members of the local media took part in the 2nd-annual Kansas City Wizards media game. Wizards Blue and Wizards White played to a 0-0 draw. Wizards White goalkeeper Jake Gutierrez of WHB 810 receiving the MVP award for his fine effort in goal.
