Kansas City Wizards defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. scored a dramatic goal from the top of the penalty area in the 90th minute that secured a 1-0 victory over a previously undefeated Columbus Crew team that has now allowed only three goals in 2007. Kansas City improved to 4-0-1 and moved into first place in the Eastern Conference.
Columbus appeared to have snuck out of Kansas City with its third 0-0 draw of 2007, but last year's team MVP Burciaga was determined not to let the fans leave unfulfilled on Cinco de Mayo. Burciaga, urging his teammates forward in the games dying minutes, pressed forward himself and converted his first goal of the season in the 90th minute to give three points to the Wizards.
Burciaga, whose parents were in town from Texas to watch the match, collected a deflected ball 30 yards from goal and immediately looked to shoot. His path was initially blocked, so Burciaga cut right and then left to get the ball to his ever-dangerous left foot. Burciaga fired a shot between Columbus defenders, beating Blue Valley North graduate Andy Gruenebaum of Columbus inside the near post, prompting massive celebration from the Wizards players, coaches and fans.
The Wizards reputation for playing an attractive style of attacking soccer is certainly no secret around MLS. Columbus came out during the first half, intent to disrupt that style of play and clog up the defensive third of the field.
The first half saw three Columbus yellow cards and 11 more fouls, causing the first 45 minutes to be more choppy than Kansas City has been accustomed to playing in the first four matches. Nevertheless, the Wizards were able to get several quality scoring opportunities in the opening 45 minutes of play.
Kansas City attempted eight total shots in the first half. One was blocked and four more were deflected by Columbus defenders as the Crew continually packed players into their own penalty area - a playing style that had led to three shutouts and only two goals allowed through four games in 2007.
Forward Yura Movsisyan got the first chance for Kansas City in the 6th minute, taking a pass from midfielder Kerry Zavagnin on the left side of the pitch and cutting inside a defender. His right-footed shot was deflected high and wide for a Kansas City corner kick.
Kansas City's best chance came in the 18th minute from the team's most dangerous offensive performer of 2007. Forward Eddie Johnson, named MLS Player of the Month for April earlier this week, used his touch and pace to work his way into the penalty area. He danced around a defender, firing a left-footed shot that beat goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum toward the far post. Crew midfielder Joseph Ngwenya had tracked back and covered the back post, sliding with a boot up to deflect the ball clear.
Movsisyan had another chance in the 24th after a great ball from rookie midfielder Michael Harrington. Movsisyan set up his defender to the outside before cutting toward the middle of the field. Harrington read Movsisyan's move and slid the ball to his inside shoulder. Movsisyan carried the ball 15 yards before firing with his right foot, but again a Columbus defender was there to deflect the ball over the end line for a Kansas City corner.
Columbus pushed forward better in the second half, recording their first shot on goal in the 46th minute by midfielder Eddie Gaven and went on to record five total shots in the frame.
Midfielder Davy Arnaud nearly put Kansas City ahead in the 64th minute after receiving a great through ball from midfielder Kerry Zavagnin. Arnaud could not quite reach the ball at pace, but extended his leg fully to fire a shot low on goal. Gruenebaum was there, however, to deny the opportunity.
Defender and captain Jimmy Conrad nearly put the Wizards on the scoreboard in the 75th minute after his long run through the midfield won the corner for the Wizards. Conrad intercepted a pass in his own half and carried the ball forward 50+ yards before laying it off for Johnson. Johnson's attempted cross was deflected out for a corner kick.
Burciaga took the ensuing corner, sending a left-footed ball for the far post. Conrad, who was completing a looping run from the near post to the back post, headed the ball down past Gruenebaum toward the back post. Gruenebaum spun around to watch the ball slide into his net, only to see Grabavoy there to clear the ball and maintain the scoreless tie.
Gruenebaum saved only three shots on the night against Kansas City's six shots on goal. Only goal line blocks by Ngwenya and midfielder Ned Grabavoy held Kansas City to a single goal.
The perseverance paid off in the 90th minute when Burciaga provided the heroics with his goal. It marked the eighth different Wizards player to score a goal in 2007 out of 10 goals for the team.
The Wizards next MLS match comes at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 12 at Arrowhead Stadium vs. FC Dallas. May 12 is the Wizards tribute game to Lamar Hunt. The Wizards will wear special kits that day emblazoned with a special Lamar Hunt Memorial Logo. The jerseys will be auctioned off after the match for charity. A team photo will be distributed to fans and the first 5,000 through the turnstiles at Arrowhead will receive Mr. Hunt's favorite treat, a chocolate chip cookie. The game will be broadcast locally on Metro Sports.
Complete box score >
Wizards Notables:
• Defender Nick Garcia played his 201st career game for the Wizards Saturday. He is now in second place on the Wizards all-time games played list behind only Preki (218).
• Wizards forward Scott Sealy appeared for the first time in MLS play since spraining his ankle in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Qualifier April 18 at Real Salt Lake. He came on as a substitute for Yura Movsisyan in the 54th minute.
• Wizards third-year player Ryan Pore made his 2007 debut as a wide midfielder. Pore entered in the 77th for midfielder Sasha Victorine and played on the right wing. Starter Davy Arnaud moved central when Pore entered.
• Defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. scored his first goal of the year.
• In 2006, Burciaga led the Wizards in points with 8 goals and 8 assists, for 24 points.
• Burciaga also led Kansas City with 4 game-winning goals in 2006. His goal Saturday was his first game-winner of the season. Burciaga now has 12 career goals.
• Burciaga's new foundation made its debut Saturday. The Jose Luis Burciaga Foundation is geared towards assisting Hispanic youth and underprivileged students in promoting involvement in sports, education, community service, and cultural awareness. "La Fundación de Jose Luis Burciaga" is being launched today to provide adequate resources for students to develop key skills learned both on and off the soccer field such as teamwork, discipline, respect, a competitive attitude, and determination.
• Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the Kansas City defense have recorded three shutouts in a row. The Wizards have not allowed a goal in the last 287 minutes.
• The longest shutout streak in team history is owned by Tony Meola and the Kansas City defense from 2000. Meola and the Wizards did not allow a goal for 681 straight minutes, spanning 6 shutouts.
• The Wizards shutout streak is good for second-best in MLS this season. Only Red Bull New York, who has yet to allow a goal through four games, has held opponents longer for more consecutive minutes.
• Hartman now has 65 career shutouts and 120 wins. He is first in MLS history in both categories.
• Kansas City claimed a 1-0 victory on a late goal for the second straight match. Forward Eddie Johnson gave the Wizards a victory with a 81st minute goal en route to a 1-0 victory on the road at Toronto FC April 28.
• The Wizards have now scored two 90th minute goals in 2007. The first came in a 2-1 loss at Chicago April 21. Midfielder Carlos Marinelli drew and then converted a penalty for his first-career MLS goal in his first career MLS match.
• Kansas City has scored 10 goals through five matches. Eight different Wizards have scored. Eddie Johnson leads the team with 3 goals. Michael Harrington, Carlos Marinelli, Yura Movsisyan, Scott Sealy, Sasha Victorine, Kerry Zavagnin and now Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. have scored one goal apiece.
• Johnson has recorded 3 game-winning goals. Burciaga Jr. has scored 1 game-winner.
• The Wizards suffered 22 fouls on the match. It marked the second-straight match Kansas City has suffered over 20 fouls. TFC fouled Kansas City 27 times last Saturday.
