Kansas City continued the long road to reaching regular season form Friday in its second exhibition match of 2007. On a chilly 48-degree day, the Wizards fell to Columbus 1-0 in Bradenton, Fla.
After a scoreless first half, the lone goal came on a 50th minute penalty kick. Ned Grabavoy slotted the ball past goalkeeper Boris Pardo for the game's deciding tally. It was the second penalty kick goal Pardo has surrendered this preseason.
Play was solid for this early stage of training as Kansas City put a more veteran-heavy team on the field than the side that fell to New York Tuesday. Defender Jimmy Conrad and forwards Eddie Johnson and Scott Sealy saw their first exhibition action since joining camp from national team duties.
Conrad and Johnson represented the United States in victories over Denmark (Jan. 20) and Mexico (Feb. 7). Conrad started both matches, wearing the captain's armband against Denmark and scoring the game-winning goal against Mexico. Johnson was solid, starting against Denmark and coming on in the second half against Mexico.
Sealy represented Trinidad and Tobago in a 4-0 loss to Costa Rica Feb. 4 after being with the squad for its run to a second-place finish in the Digicel Caribbean Cup in January.
Stats
Stats KCW Columbus
Shots 12 11
Corner Kicks 4 8
Saves 3 2
Weather: 48 degrees, windy, partly cloudy
Kansas City Wizards
Lineup for first half - (4-4-2)
Hartman, Jewsbury, Garcia, Conrad, Burciaga, Jr., Elcock, McMahen, Morsink, Victorine, Johnson, Sealy
Lineup for second half - (4-4-2)
Pardo, Godboldt, Hohlbein, Wahl, Anderon, Watson, Raad, Raybould, Pore, Guadarrama, Todd
OUT: Arnaud (Ankle), Harrington (U-23), W. John (U-23), Movsisyan (Ankle), Thomas (Travel)
