Thanks to a pair of goals from Scott Sealy, the Kansas City Wizards will be making a return to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2004, coming away from Pizza Hut Park with a 2-0 victory against FC Dallas on Saturday.
Kansas City came into the match seeking a better result than the last time they faced FCD in a regular season finale. On Oct. 15, 2005, the sides played to a 2-2 draw. The Wizards hit the field on that night needing three points to clinch a playoff spot but failed to get the victory and missed the playoffs. Then a year ago, the Wizards went to New York needing to defeat the Red Bulls, but lost 3-2 and again had their postseason hopes dashed.
Sealy scored his first in the 39th minute, then added a second in the 55th minute as the Wizards made sure they would not have the same fate befall them a third year running.
Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo made several changes to his starting 11 from last weekend's 2-1 loss to New York at Giants Stadium. With midfielder Kerry Zavagnin serving a suspension for yellow card accumulation, Onalfo plugged Marinelli into his spot. In addition, defender Jose Burciaga Jr. was on the bench for as Onalfo moved Michael Harrington back from the midfield to take his spot on the left side.
FCD head coach Steve Morrow also fielded a somewhat different lineup. Starting center back Clarence Goodson returned to the team after missing a scoreless draw with Chivas USA last Thursday. Also returning was defensive midfielder Pablo Ricchetti, who had not played since a 3-0 loss to Houston on Sept. 30.
Morrow also made some changes in the back. With Bobby Rhine suspended after being ejected in their last match, 24-year-old Michael Dello-Russo made his MLS debut at his spot with normal right back Drew Moor moving into the middle.
Notably absent from the starting 11 for the home side was FCD's designated player Denilson, who had played in the Hoops' last eight games. The World Cup-winning Brazilian midfielder has just one goal since being signed in late August.
Virtually from the opening whistle, the visitors showed that they would be tough to beat. In the opening minute, Arnaud got a pair of shots off at the FCD goal. His first effort was deflected while the ensuing rebound, which also fell at his feet, sailed high.
Kansas City was active in the box again in the fourth minute when Carlos Marinelli took a free kick from about 30 yards out. FCD goalkeeper Ray Burse came out to punch the ball away for the save. Burse also saved a shot by K.C.'s Kurt Morsink in the fifth minute.
In the 30th minute, Wizards forward Eddie Johnson blew a golden opportunity at drawing first blood for the visitors. The speedy striker made a great run up the right flank, drawing Burse out of the goal just outside the FCD box. Johnson then dashed toward the Hoops goal with two defenders in tow but missed the empty net when he got too far under the ball and saw his shot sail high.
Sealy gave the Wizards the vital first goal in the 39th minute. Davy Arnaud found him to the left of the FCD goal with a great lob that sailed over the Hoops backline. Sealy then chested the ball down before firing from about 10 yards from the left side, beating FCD goalkeeper Ray Burse to give his side the lead.
The Hoops' best chance to draw the match level came just before halftime. Midfielder Arturo Alvarez created some space for himself to the left of the K.C. goal. He saw Ricchetti running in and found him but his shot went high and the half ended seconds later.
In the 42nd minute, Onalfo was forced to go to his bench earlier than expected when Marinelli had to leave the field. He had left the field for several minutes in the 36th when he went to the sideline to have his ankle taped by the Wizards training staff. Marinelli returned to the field before coming off for Ryan Pore in the 42nd, as Marinelli was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain.
Just after the break, Arnaud found Sealy with another booming cross just outside the FCD box. He dribbled up the middle of the field and had a great look at another goal but his effort went high.
But Sealy did not miss in the 55th, with Arnaud again being involved in the tally. Arnaud sent a ball to Jack Jewsbury, whose cross resembled more of a shot than a pass. Jewsbury's effort was way offline and landed at Sealy's feet at the far post and all he had to do was touch the ball in for his second goal of the night and seventh of the season.
Just 10 minutes after his second goal, Sealy left the field with a right quadriceps injury. Eloy Colombano came on for him, but his stay on the field lasted just seven minutes when, in the 72nd minute, Colombano suffered a left hamstring strain and had to leave the pitch for Lance Watson.
FCD captain Carlos Ruiz entered the match in the 76th minute as a substitute and got his only shot 11 minutes later but his effort was saved by Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
Also active for the home side in the second half was fellow striker Dominic Oduro who had a pair of shots in the closing moments. His effort in the 90th minute went wide right and Oduro's shot one minute later sailed high.
The shutout marked the 11th time this season that FCD has failed to score, a new club record. On the other hand, K.C. recorded their first clean sheet since a 1-0 win against Real Salt Lake on July 14, a span of 14 games.
Now the Wizards must wait until after the Chicago Fire-LA Galaxy game to know who they will face in the MLS Cup Playoffs. If Chicago wins or it's a tie, they will take on the Western Conference regular season champion, while if the Galaxy win, they will take on D.C. United.
FCD, on the other hand, is locked into the No. 3 spot in the Western Conference and will face either Chivas USA or Houston in the Western Conference Semifinal Series. If Houston wins later Saturday against Chivas at The Home Depot Center, then the Hoops will face the Red-and-White in the first round. Any other result and FCD will face Dynamo in the postseason.
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
