The Kansas City Wizards tied their first match of 2007 through a second-half goal from midfielder Davy Arnaud off assists from forward Eddie Johnson and midfielder Kerry Zavagnin after Kansas City strung together eight consecutive passes. The Wizards traveled to new Dick's Sporting Goods Park, home of the 2007 MLS All-Star Game, for the first time and used the field's large 120X80 yard pitch to showcase the attractive style of play that has become the team's staple this season.
Colorado had the better of the game's first ten minutes, generating two quality scoring opportunities. First in the 5th minute, wide midfielder Terry Cooke found the head of forward Roberto Brown with a well-placed cross, but Brown headed the opportunity wide.
In the 8th minute, attacking midfielder Jovan Kirovski struck a free kick from 19 yards out that found the outside of the right upright. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the wall were beaten, but Kirovski couldn't find the net.
The Wizards took control of the remainder of the first half, until a Colorado stoppage-time goal gave the Rapids the halftime lead.
First in the 11th minute, Arnaud found himself in space on the right wing and carried the ball a full 35 yards. Arnaud lofted a perfectly placed cross for forward Eddie Johnson. Johnson dove to head the ball on goal, but goalkeeper Bouna Condoul was there to deflect away the hard-hit shot.
Then in the 18th minute, Johnson found himself in space at the right of the Colorado penalty area after a great long ball from rookie midfielder Michael Harrington. Johnson held the ball up before cutting left to fire a shot toward the near post in a nearly identical play to the move that Johnson used to collect the game-winner against Toronto FC on April 28. This time, however, Condoul had the post covered and stopped the shot.
Two minutes later, defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. fired inches high off a restart from 23 yards out that had beaten Condoul.
Johnson again proved pesky for the Rapids in the 41st minute, getting behind the defense after an interception and quick pass out of midfield from holding midfielder Zavagnin. Johnson won the end line and played a cross toward the middle of the penalty area that was picked off with a diving play by Condoul.
Colorado found the game's opening goal in first-half stoppage time on a Kirovski penalty kick. Midfielder Davy Arnaud was called for a handball after a Colorado shot deflected off him near the top of the penalty area. Referee Jorge Gonzalez pointed to the spot after a short conference with his linesman, and Kirovski sent the ensuing penalty down the middle as Hartman dove to his right.
The second half produced fewer chances for both clubs, but the Wizards converted on their best opportunity of the frame to tie the match and earn a share of the points.
Johnson and Arnaud again connected as Arnaud notched his first goal of the season. Zavagnin started the play just across the half line, sending a ball into the right corner for a streaking Johnson. Johnson beat a defender to the end line and slid a low ball across the top of the six-yard area. Arnaud was there, redirecting the ball past a helpless Condoul into the far side netting for his first goal of 2007.
Arnaud became the ninth Wizards player to score a goal in 2007 and Johnson collected his team-high third assist on the play. It was Arnaud's 22nd career goal for Kansas City. He is currently sixth on the Wizards all-time scoring list. Zavagnin's assist was the fourth of his career against Colorado. He is the Wizards active assist leader against the Rapids. He now has 20 career assists and is tied with former forward Josh Wolff for fifth-place on the Wizards all-time list.
Colorado nearly tied the game in the 67th minute when midfielder Nico Hernandez sent a cross into the penalty area for forward Herculez Gomez. Gomez was open 10 yards from goal but his effort never tested Hartman, sailing high over the bar.
Then in the 77th minute, midfielder Kyle Beckerman came forward, unloading a shot from distance that was headed toward the back post. Hartman, however, sprawled out to make the save and keep the game level.
Wizards midfielder Carlos Marinelli made his first appearance since injuring his hamstring in the 1-0 victory over Toronto FC April 28. Marinelli sprayed passes around well and got Wizards players the ball with time and space often after his entrance for forward Yura Movsisyan in the 53rd minute.
Kansas City travels to Foxboro, Massachusetts next Saturday, May 26 at 5:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports to take on the first-place New England Revolution. The Revolution have a game in hand on the Wizards. Kansas City is in third place after the 1-1 tie against Colorado, four points behind the Revolution and one point behind Red Bull New York. The Wizards next home match comes June 2 at 7 p.m. against New York at Arrowhead Stadium.
Wizards Notables:
Over 100 members of the Cauldron traveled to Colorado for the match. They took on the Rapids' supporters group The Front Range, falling 7-3 in a friendly prior to the MLS game.
Former Rapids player and current Wizards assistant coach Chris Henderson, number 19, was inducted into the Colorado Rapids Gallery of Honor at halftime. Marcelo Balboa, number 17, (who was on the HDNet broadcast) and Paul Bravo, number 9, are the only other players in Colorado's Gallery. Henderson played in 178 matches for the Rapids, scoring 31 goals and adding 53 assists during his 6+ seasons with the squad. He is the Rapids all-time leader in games played, minutes and assists.
Arnaud became the ninth Wizards player to score a goal in 2007 and Johnson collected his team-high third assist on the game-tying goal. Johnson has scored three, Michael Harrington has scored two and Jose Luis Burciaga Jr., Carlos Marinelli, Yura Movsisyan, Scott Sealy, Sasha Victorine and Kerry Zavagnin have all added one goal for Kansas City.
It was Arnaud's 22nd career goal for the Wizards. He is currently sixth on the Wizards all-time scoring list. Arnaud needs five more goals to move into a tie with former Kansas City forward Josh Wolff who currently sits fifth with 27.
Zavagnin's assist was his fourth against Colorado. He is the Wizards active assist leader against the Rapids.
Zavagnin now has 20 career assists and is tied for fifth-place on the Wizards all-time list. Next in Zavagnin's sights is former midfielder Mark Chung who sits fourth with 25 assists for Kansas City.
Johnson has three assists in 2007 to lead the Wizards. Harrington and Arnaud each have two assists. Burciaga Jr., Sealy, Victorine and Zavagnin all have one assist apiece.
Johnson is now at the top of the league leaderboard in goals, assists and points following the match.
The Wizards now have 11 assists on 12 goals scored in 2007.
The Wizards first tie comes after six drawless matches. Kansas City's longest-ever streak without a tie came in 2006. The Wizards did not tie a game from June 3 to July 29 last season, spanning 10 MLS matches.
Wizards Quotes:
HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the match
"It was great to hear the Cauldron fan club out here tonight. I thought we played well and the work rate was fantastic. The guys were still trying to make something happen in the 90th minute as we were going for the win."
MIDFIELDER DAVY ARNAUD
On the game-tying goal
"Kerry played a great ball to Eddie out wide. Eddie then sent a perfect ball to me for an easy one timer. This team is always looking to push forward, irregardless of what minute it is."
MIDFIELDER KERRY ZAVAGNIN
On the match and Dick's Sporting Goods Park
"This team is very resilient. The shape was good tonight. The size of the field and the altitude definitely can affect teams, but we worked hard and tried to get through it. The stadium here is something special."
DEFENDER JOSE LUIS BURCIAGA JR.
On the match
"We didn't panic after they scored at the end of the first half and pulled one back in the second half. That is a huge difference for us this season."
ASSISTANT COACH CHRIS HENDERSON
During halftime induction into Colorado Rapids Gallery of Honor
"I want to thank everyone for all their support for my 6 and a half years here in Colorado. It is definitely a special evening. I want to particularly show gratitude to Philip Anschutz and Stan Kroenke. Thanks for the memories."
