D.C. United couldn't spoil the housewarming party for the Kansas City Wizards, as the home side's two South American newcomers sparked a 2-0 victory in the first game at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
Colombian import Ivan Trujillo put the Wizards in the lead in the 47th minute and Argentinean Claudio Lopez provided an insurance goal in the 61st minute.
United had also brought in a large crop of South American additions in the offseason. Gonzalo Martinez and Gonzalo Peralta started in the center of defense, while Marcelo Gallardo filled the playmaking role and Franco Niell was given the start in attack alongside Luciano Emilio.
But the Wizards had the first chance in the game, in the third minute. A long ball led to Lopez feeding midfielder Carlos Marinelli on the left flank. Marinelli's shot sailed above and across the net.
The Wizards' strategy early on appeared to be to spread the field, which they did to some degree of success. United seemed content on trying to hit on the counterattack, relying on strong midfield play.
United used the Wizards strategy of spreading the field late in the match, knotting passes together horizontally trying to find an opening. But both halves turned out to be exercises in frustration for United.
Gallardo took a free kick that dipped on its way toward Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman in the 32nd minute. Hartman was able to deflect the ball and ignite a Wizards counterattack.
Then Emilio broke free for a 15-yard shot directly on goal. But Hartman parried the ball over the crossbar and into the stands.
Lopez had another opportunity in the 38th minute. His shot was to the right of the goal, rolling harmlessly out of bounds.
Trujillo was shown a yellow card in the 44th minute for a reckless foul. The Wizards doubled their total of yellow cards for the half in added time when defender Jack Jewsbury tripped up Emilio near midfield, after a freekick just outside the box was blocked by the wall and sent the other way, nearly starting United on the counter.
The Wizards broke through two minutes after the break. Michael Harrington sent a long ball from the left and Jewsbury fed the ball back to Trujillo, who stretched out his entire body to poke it in the United net ahead of defender Gonzalo Martinez.
Trujillo thought he added to his goal total in the 54th minute. He deked his way past D.C. goalkeeper Zach Wells, but the play was ruled offside.
Then Wizards midfielder Ryan Pore fed Lopez beautifully in the 61st minute. Lopez was sent in alone on the left flank and flicked his foot out to send the ball over Wells and into the goal.
United started to have more success after the second K.C. goal and thought they had pulled one back, but Niell's apparent strike was waved off for offside.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
