The Kansas City Wizards (4-2-1, 13 pts) travel Saturday to take on the first-place New England Revolution (5-1-2, 17 pts) at Gillette Stadium at 5:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports. The match pits two of the top offensive teams in MLS against each other. After Thursday's MLS game, New England remains tied for the league lead in goals scored (15) and goals per game (1.88) with Red Bull New York. Kansas City is fourth in goals (12) and third in goals per game (1.71) despite playing at least one game less than each of the teams ahead of them in the rankings.
The Wizards, who are battling many injuries at this time, will look for a strong game from decorated goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Hartman already owns the MLS all-time record for wins (120) and shutouts (65) by a goalkeeper. Saturday, he will break a tie with Meola for first on the all-time games played as a goalkeeper list; it will be his 251st career game in goal. That number is good enough for 9th all-time in games played by any player. If Hartman plays every game this season, he could end up as high as 6th on the all-time games played list.
Hartman and the Kansas City defense will have to shut down a New England attack that has scored seven goals at home in just two matches. If they can do so and get a positive result, the Wizards can improve upon a truly impressive streak. The Wizards have gone 4-0-4 at Gillette Stadium since the Revolution began playing there in 2002.
Kansas City's next game comes Saturday, June 2 at 7 p.m. CT on Metro Sports against Red Bull New York at Arrowhead Stadium. Currently tied with the Revolution for first in the East, New York will make its only 2007 trip to Kansas City on Dancing with the Wizards night. Prior to the match, free salsa lessons will be provided in the parking log outside Gate D by dancers from Caliente Cuban Club. Groups of 20 or more who buy tickets through the Dancing with the Wizards promotion will be able to display what they learn on the field at halftime.
Then, after the match, Wizards players Sasha Victorine, Kerry Zavagnin, Jack Jewsbury and Willy Guadarrama will perform a salsa dance with partners from Caliente. Fans with ticket stubs from the June 2 match can get into the event for free. Fans who did not attend the game can get into Caliente for the event for free by purchasing tickets to upcoming matches.
