KANSAS CITY - Scott Sealy's second-half goal delivered three points to the Kansas City Wizards Sunday in a 1-0 victory over FC Dallas at Arrowhead Stadium.
With the win, the Wizards moved into fourth place in the Western Conference, one point ahead of the New York Red Bulls. FCD, meanwhile, went down to their third straight shutout defeat.
Sealy's goal, his fifth of the season, came just after an hour of the home side struggling to put a shot on goal. Sealy slammed home a left-footed shot from about eight yards away from goal and was credited with an unassisted goal. The ball deflected off FC Dallas defender Drew Moor directly to Sealy after Eddie Johnson dummied Sasha Victorine's pass into the penalty area.
The Wizards failed to score in the first half mainly due to their inability to put a shot on target, as none of their four shots were on frame in the first stanza.
Victorine whistled a shot about two feet wide of the left post in the ninth minute from about 20 yards, and Johnson was about six yards from goal when he shot wide of the left post with his right foot. That shot in the 31st minute wasted a great cross from Dave van den Bergh from the left wing.
Johnson tried to redeem himself in the 34th minute, but shot high and wide from about 20 yards with a slight angle to the right of goal. Sealy also shot about two feet wide of the left post in the 37th minute after a good service from Johnson.
On the other end, FC Dallas didn't bother Kansas City goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi with any of their four shots on goal in the first half. The Hoops were content not pressuring the Wizards until they crossed the halfway line.
FCD midfielder Ronnie O'Brien had two of his side's shots on goal, both low shots from about 30 yards that barely caused Oshoniyi to move to either side.
Both teams unsuccessfully probed for a way through the other's defense for the first 15 minutes of the second half, but the Wizards broke through first in the 61st minute, Sealy giving them the lead.
FC Dallas had their best opportunity to score in the 73rd minute with a free kick one yard outside the penalty area straight on to goal. Wizards defender Nick Garcia fouled FC Dallas forward Kenny Cooper and Cooper took the free kick. The Wizards' five-man wall did not stop the free kick but Oshoniyi deflected it. Moor put the ball in the net with a diving header but was ruled offside.
Moor had another header on goal in the 89th minute, but Oshoniyi tipped it over the crossbar.
Just before the final whistle, FC Dallas substitute Arturo Alvarez cut into the right side of the area with the ball, but Oshoniyi grabbed his toe poke when he closed to within five yards of goal.
Robert Whitman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
