Toronto FC saw their playoff hopes take a real blow Saturday night, held without a single shot on goal in a 2-0 loss to the Kansas City Wizards at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
A penalty kick in the 63rd minute from Jack Jewsbury gave the Wizards the lead, then rookie Kevin Souter scored his first career goal in the 79th minute to cement the victory.
The game turned in the 62nd minute when Wizards forward Josh Wolff was upended by TFC defender Tyrone Marshall in the box, and referee Baldomero Toledo pointed to the spot. Immediately after the call, midfielder Carl Robinson was issued a yellow card for dissent.
From the penalty spot, Jewsbury pounded home the kick. The kick eluded Sutton as he dove correctly to his left, being hit squarely into the corner.
Wolff was involved in the scoring once again in the 79th minute. He found rookie Souter, playing in just his second career MLS match, who chipped it over Sutton from close range.
TFC had the better of the play to start, but wasn't able to create many opportunities. Midfielder Hunter Freeman made a lunging attempt along the end line in the 18th minute. Freeman was off the far post when he connected with a long pass, but the crossing effort was anticipated well by Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.
A moment of defensive carelessness gave Kansas City a chance in the 26th minute as a flighted ball was allowed to bounce deep into the Toronto box. Forward Josh Wolff gained position on Reds' defender Julius James and nearly poked the ball past Sutton.
Having escaped, Toronto captain Jim Brennan tried to give his side a massive boost with a long overlapping run down the left side. As he penetrated the Wizards box, James fed the Canadian international but too heavily, and Hartman scooped up for Kansas City.
Minutes later, K.C. had a near miss of their own as Wolff broke free on the right side of the box for a cross from right midfielder Herculez Gomez. Wolff jumped to strike acrobatically but missed connecting from 10 yards out.
A minute from halftime Sutton and James played saviors for TFC. Twelve yards from the left post, Wolff spun after receiving a pass from left midfielder Roger Espinoza and struck quickly only to see Sutton deny the chance with a deft palm save.
Wolff saw an apparent goal ruled out for offside in the 51st minute. Then from a feed by Thompson, Wolff unloaded from the flank in the 55th minute, but Sutton made a tremendous diving save to stop the threat.
Gomez sent an ambitious diagonal shot from about 30 yards out, but his shot was wide of the far post in the 58th minute.
But soon thereafter, Toledo would call the penalty kick that would send the Wizards on their way, much to TFC's dismay.
With their backs nearing the wall, TFC will play host to defending MLS champion Houston Dynamo next Saturday afternoon at BMO Field, while the Wizards will travel to take on Chivas USA next Saturday before returning home for their last three matches.
Thomas Foote is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
