In a rematch of last season's Western Conference final, the Kansas City Wizards and Houston Dynamo played to a hard-fought scoreless tie Saturday night in Kansas City. Each club had its chances but neither could find the mark as the teams settled for a point each.
The temperature was an unseasonable 44 degrees at kickoff in CommunityAmerica Ballpark but the Wizards were hoping to get back on their hot streak after Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution. With two wins and a loss on the season, the match was also a chance for the Wizards to finish off a season-opening four-game homestand in style.
The Dynamo were just looking to get on the winning track, after losing and tying their first two league games of the year and falling 3-0 in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup at midweek against Deportivo Saprissa in Costa Rica.
Having made their debuts in Wednesday's loss, Kansas City's two first-round picks in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft earned their way into the starting lineup. Top pick Chance Myers stepped in at right back and 11th overall pick Roger Espinoza took the left of midfield.
Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman saw his ability tested early. A pair of dead balls played in Houston midfielder Brad Davis were aided by the swirling wind and both caused trouble. The second was eventually redirected by K.C.'s Scott Sealy toward his own goal, forcing Hartman into a spectacular save in the sixth minute.
The Wizards attack took a blow in the 26th minute as playmaker Carlos Marinelli went out with a pulled hamstring. Defensive midfielder Kerry Zavagnin, suffering himself with a knee contusion, went on as Kurt Morsink moved into Marinelli's spot. Zavagnin's appearance was his 224th for Kansas City, tying former Wizards defender Nick Garcia atop the all-time Kansas City appearances list.
Both sides continued to play sharply in possession and to create chances on goal. Sealy snuck behind the Houston defense in the 31st only to lose control as the ball eventually fell to Morsink, whose weak shot was gobbled up by Dynamo goalkeeper Tony Caig.
Sealy was on the run again in the 36th minute as Morsink's diagonal ball covered much ground to find him one-on-one with Caig at the top of Houston's box. Sealy's touch wasn't good enough to beat the backup goalkeeper, starting for the second time for Pat Onstad, suffering from an ailing shoulder.
The Dynamo started to put together quality possession and nearly took the lead when Dwayne DeRosario received the ball straight out from goal amidst two defenders. The Canadian international took aim and fired right at Hartman, who made the save but gave up a resulting corner that came to no danger.
The Wizards had a chance to go into the break with the lead in the 45th minute as Dynamo defender Eddie Robinson impeded Myers 25 yards out to the left of Caig. Lopez took the opportunity to test Caig at the far post. Diving to his right, the stand-in palmed the ball out for a corner, assuring a scoreless deadlock going into the break.
Early in the second half, Hartman showed that his reflexes were still cat-like as "El Gato" sprawled to his right to knock away a Davis bullet after the midfielder was fed by DeRosario 13 yards out straight down the left channel. Hartman's paw knocked the ball into his far post, and then he smothered the rebound to protect the shutout.
As they had been all match, the two sides continued to play with urgency, despite some fatigue from playing a second game in four days. The Wizards pushed the envelope in the 79th minute as forward Ivan Trujillo entered the match for left midfielder Espinoza. Houston had previously inserted midfielder Stuart Holden and Patrick Ianni.
Kansas City had two chances in the waning minutes. In the 89th minute, off a Morsink free kick, Sealy placed his header well over the Houston goal. Sealy then followed in the 90th minute with chance off a Myers cross, but again his attempt went wanting, and each team left with a point from the night.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
