The long, strange trip is over for the Kansas City Wizards -- and it might have ended in a most appropriate way. Thanks to an 89th-minute own, the Wizards defeated Real Salt Lake 1-0 Saturday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, putting an end to their seven-game winless streak.
Just as it seemed Kansas City would see the winless streak extended -- six of those games on the road -- Davy Arnaud put in a cross after a foul on Ryan Pore and saw it headed into his own by RSL fullback Tony Beltran for the winning goal, the Wizards first goal in more than four full matches.
Both sides came in on opposite sides of streaks as RSL were unbeaten in five in a row, but the opening 15 minutes showed a turnaround for each. The Wizards had the most and the best chances. Forward Scott Sealy connected from 14 yards out in the fifth minute, but his low shot was easy pickings for Salt Lake goalkeeper Nick Rimando. Midfielder Claudio Lopez shot ambitiously but well from 30 yards four minutes later, but the curving attempt sailed wide and high.
RSL were more direct as they went right at the heart of the Wizards defense, penetrating three times. In the 11th minute, forward Kenny Deuchar collided with K.C.'s Kevin Hartman as the goalkeeper came through to knock a through ball clear. The Scotland native saw yellow for the infraction.
The visitors nearly jumped on top in the 29th minute as Deuchar muscled his way between two Wizards defenders but was denied by an Aaron Hohlbein block, his second of the night. This time though, an opportunist Javier Morales followed with a skillful chip that was tantalizingly close to ducking under the Wizards' crossbar. A minute later, Deuchar forced Hartman to his left but was again denied.
Regaining the play, the Wizards began to slice their way into Salt Lake's box with incisive crosses and through balls. In the 38th minute, K.C. forward Ivan Trujillo send a splitting ball for midfielder Sasha Victorine to the right of Real Salt Lake's net. Center back Jamison Olave was there to vanquish the threat, but Kansas City was beginning to feel their rhythm.
From the second-half kickoff, the Wizards intent was clear: jump on top. But they didn't have a quality opportunity at goal until the 69th minute, when Sealy found himself again at the six-yard box again in after an Arnaud cross from the right wing. The shot flew high and the Wizards struggle to score continued well into its fourth game.
Minutes later, newly inserted Carlos Marinelli latched onto a ball deep on the right side of RSL's box and played back for Lopez who faked and then shot for goal only to see it blocked.
Arnaud's over the box cross found a running Lopez who headed purposefully for Jewsbury stationed in front of goal, five yards out, but the combination went wanting.
Real Salt Lake's Tino Nunez kept the Wizards alert at the other end in the 74th minute with a low screamer from the right side that Hartman smothered at his left post.
The Wizards continued their repeated entries into RSL's box without satisfaction. Rookie Chance Myers, a 78th-minute substitution for center back Aaron Hohlbein, jumped on a cross from Lopez and chipped for goal only to see the ball clear the bar.
Finally, with a little help, the Wizards found reward for their continual pressure in the 89th minute. Pore drew a free kick 20 yards out on the left wing after another pass from Lopez. Arnaud took the kick with his right boot and sent the ball for captain Jimmy Conrad in the middle of the box. Conrad battled but RSL defender Tony Beltran's head won as he sent the ball into his own net past a beleaguered Rimando.
Another strong chance came for Sealy in stoppage time, but Borchers made a goal line stand to keep the score 1-0 -- a result that surely elated the Wizards for their first win in eight matches.
The Wizards will now head to FC Dallas' Pizza Hut Park for a Fourth of July encounter on Friday while Real Salt Lake heads home to play host to Houston on MLS Primetime Thursday.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
