KANSAS CITY - The New York Red Bulls fell off their perch atop the Eastern Conference Saturday, falling to the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 at Arrowhead Stadium Saturday.
Wizards forward Eddie Johnson made history by becoming the first player in MLS history to score hat tricks in back-to-back matches. He also took over the league lead in goals with nine. The Wizards were aided by a 35th-minute red card shown to Red Bulls midfielder Clint Mathis.
Juan Pablo Angel continued his torrid start to his MLS career with his fourth goal, and Red Bulls defender Dema Kovalenko notched a consolation strike two minutes from time, but it wasn't enough to overcome Johnson's three second half strikes.
The Wizards threatened early on a corner kick in the second minute. Midfielder Carlos Marinelli delivered the ball to midfielder Sasha Victorine, whose effort was blocked, but not held, by New York goalkeeper Jon Conway. Defender Jimmy Conrad had a chance on the carom, but his shot was off the mark.
Not long after, Jose Burciaga, Jr., showed some dazzling footwork, weaving through the left side of the Red Bulls defense. His shot was smothered by Red Bull goalkeeper Jon Conway.
The Red Bulls strung together a series of passes to take a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute. Red Bulls midfielder Claudio Reyna led the attack, feeding to ball to forward John Wolyniec, who then found Angel in the left corner of the penalty box. Angel volleyed into the right corner of the net past diving Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
Right winger Davy Arnaud crossed for and found reigning MLS Player of the Week Johnson open in the box in the 16th minute. Johnson bolted a header that forced goalkeeper Conway the wrong way, but Conway's trailing feet made fortunate contact and took away the would-be equalizer.
In the 36th minute, the Red Bulls went a man down as Mathis was shown red. While tussling with Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin near midfield, Mathis caught Zavagnin with an elbow to the throat near midfield. Referee Jair Maruffo quickly pulled out the red card.
The Wizards claimed the initiative following Mathis' departure.
Johnson had repeatedly broken away for chances in the first half, and he started the second half by making the most of his first effort after the break. Receiving a ball over the top, Johnson looped a shot over Conway. Johnson earned a yellow card by taking off his shirt in celebration.
Burciaga, Jr., raced down the left sideline in the 59th minute after taking a pass from forward Marinelli. Burciaga threaded a precise pass across the box to Johnson, who merely had to tap it into the goal.
The Wizards got needed insurance in the 86th minute as Victorine had time and space in middle of the Red Bulls' end to play through for Johnson, who made no mistake slotting the ball inside Conway's near post. The goal completed Johnson's hat trick, making him the first in MLS history to score three or more goals in consecutive matches.
The Red Bulls would not go quietly, though, as midfielder Dema Kovalenko struck two minutes later to make the remaining minutes tense. The Wizards survived and succeeded in replacing the Red Bulls atop the conference.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
