The Kansas City Wizards and rival D.C. United battled to a well-played 1-1 draw Friday night in front of a spirited crowd on fan appreciation night. Forward Scott Sealy provided the goal, and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was strong in net as the Wizards earned a point against the team with the most points in MLS without the service of starting defender and captain Jimmy Conrad and winger Davy Arnaud, who sat out the match due to red-card suspensions. Midfielder Sasha Victorine also did not suit up due to injury.
Hartman's first stop of the night was a historic one, as he palmed away a Christian Gomez shot from close range 42 seconds into the match to record his 1,000th career save. Hartman becomes just the third goalkeeper in MLS history to reach the 1,000 save benchmark. He currently sits in 3rd place in league history in saves behind former Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola (1,136) and Scott Garlick (1,021). Hartman has recorded 101 saves thus far in 2007.
Hartman again came up big in the 5th minute as Devon McTavish unleashed a hard shot from 15 yards out after a quick header from Brazilian striker Luciano Emilio. McTavish's shot was destined for goal, but Hartman extended and parried the ball clear to end the threat.
Kansas City's offense came to life in the 13th minute, when right back Jack Jewsbury created two consecutive chances. Jewsbury brought down a free ball 30 yards from goal, beat a defender and fired a shot, but his right-footed effort from distance missed just wide of the left post.
Two minutes later, Jewsbury broke out of his defensive position as playmaker Carlos Marinelli stood over the ball. Marinelli played a ball over the top as Jewsbury got behind the United defense, but the ball rolled just over the end line before Jewsbury could pass or shoot.
In the 18th minute, Wizards leading scorer Eddie Johnson got free up the left flank, beating defender Bobby Boswell and winning the end line. Johnson played a short cross for striker partner Sealy, but D.C. goalkeeper Troy Perkins was able to corral the pass before Sealy could get his head to the ball.
D.C. United found another quality scoring chance through playmaker Christian Gomez in the 23rd minute. Gomez stood over a free kick two yards off the end line and just outside the penalty area. His effort eluded a two-man wall and tested Hartman, but once again the Kasnas City 'keeper was there to punch the ball clear.
Hartman again proved his quality in the 30th minute as he came quickly off his line, attempting to clear a D.C. United cross. The ball fell directly to McTavish, however, at the top of the penalty area. Hartman got off his feet quickly and stopped the ensuing low shot.
The Wizards first shot on goal came in the 32nd minute when midfielder Kurt Morsink played Sealy through behind the United defense. Sealy laid the ball quickly back for an on-rushing Johnson, who fired from distance on the first touch. His shot knuckled, causing Perkins to bobble it, but the D.C. goalkeeper was able to hold the ball without difficulty.
In the 35th minute, holding midfielder Kerry Zavagnin released Sealy up the left flank. Sealy held the ball up inside the penalty area, cutting back inside a defender and firing toward goal. His low, right-footed shot missed just wide of the back post, however, after eluding Perkins.
D.C. created another dangerous opportunity in the 43rd minute through gritty individual play from left back Marc Burch. Burch took a ball on the left wing and dribbled all the way to the top of the arc. He spun, shooting with his preferred left foot. His well-struck effort forced Hartman to parry the ball over the bar to avert danger.
Kansas City took the lead one minute later, with Zavagnin again starting the play deep in midfield. Zavagnin collected a ball and quickly outletted to a streaking Johnson behind a defender on the right flank. Johnson raced into the penalty area, eventually holding the ball up and spinning in front of a defender. Johnson then laid the ball backward to an on-rushing Sealy who lined up a shot on the first touch from the top of the penalty area. Sealy's right-footed effort stayed low and curled inside the back post, eluding Perkins for Sealy's 5th goal of the campaign.
The second half was a decidedly defensive frame, as the teams combined for two shots on goal.
Kansas City nearly extended its lead in the 48th minute, as center back Tyson Wahl played a cross over the top into the penalty area. The ball bounced once, eluding a defender and falling to Sealy near the penalty spot. Sealy fired with his left foot while falling down, but his shot missed just wide of the right post.
D.C. United equalized the match in the 56th minute through playmaker Gomez. Left back Burch swung a ball in to Gomez one yard inside the 18-yard area. Gomez held off a defender before turning and whipping the ball inside the near post for his 8th goal of the season.
Johnson started another strong attack in the 78th minute, heading a ball centrally for cutting substitute Ryan Pore. Pore drew in a defender before putting Sealy through to goal. Perkins came off his line quickly, forcing an early shot from Sealy that Perkins was able to smother 12 yards off his goal line.
In the 81st minute, a loose ball fell to the feet of Sealy inside the area after a Wizards corner kick. Sealy turned and fired toward goal, but he missed just wide of the left post.
Kansas City continued attacking, as substitute winger Eloy Colombano won a free kick just outside the penalty area in the 1st minute of second-half stoppage time. Johnson stood over the ball, laying it backward for defender Nick Garcia. Garcia fired toward goal, but his effort went high and the game ended shortly thereafter at 1-1.
Kansas City moved one point closer to next week's opponent Red Bull New York. The Wizards face the Red Bulls next Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports. A win next weekend and Kansas City will leapfrog New York into 3rd place in the Eastern Conference. The Wizards then travel to Western-Conference foe FC Dallas October 20 to wrap-up the 2007 MLS regular-season.
Notes
• Following the match, Kansas City sits 10-11-7 (37 pts) in 4th place in the competitive Eastern Conference, 2 points behind 3rd place Red Bull New York.
Kansas City remains in the playoff picture, currently possessing the 7th-most points in MLS.
• Kansas City is now 12-15-7 all-time against D.C. United and 8-6-3 against the United at home.
• The Wizards ended the season 1-1-1 against D.C., outscoring United 5-4.
• The Wizards final home record stands at 7-5-3. If the Wizards make the playoffs, they will host at least one home playoff game.
• Scott Sealy recorded his 5th goal of the campaign and 24th of his career. He currently ranks 7th on the Wizards all-time goals listed just one behind teammate Davy Arnaud.
• Sealy now has goals in two straight games. He last scored in a two-goal performance September 15 against the Columbus Crew but then sat out the Wizards next two matches due to an injury suffered in training.
• On the play, Eddie Johnson extended his career-high with his 6th assist of the campaign, one behind team leader Sasha Victorine. Johnson's total now doubles his previous high of 3 set in 2004.
• Zavagnin recorded his 2nd assist of the season on the play.
• Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman recorded his 1,000th career save 42 second in the match, stopping a close-range Christian Gomez effort. Hartman ended the game with 5 saves, and now has 1,004 in his career.
• Hartman ranks 3rd in MLS history behind only Tony Meola (1,136) and Scott Garlick (1,021).
• Friday was fan appreciation night, as the Wizards held merchandise giveaways sponsored by game sponsor Time Warner Cable and adidas.
• Kansas City earned a point without usual starters defender Jimmy Conrad (red-card suspension), midfielder Davy Arnaud (red-card suspension) and midfielder Sasha Victorine (injury).
• Conrad and Arnaud made an appearance in the Cauldron during the match, saying hello to the Wizards most passionate fans.
• Conrad then joined Wizards play-by-play commentators Sean Wheelock and Brian Roberts in the TV booth for the second half, adding his insight and opinion of the game.
• Prior to the match, the Kansas City Wizards Wives Club and Zeta Tau Alpha sorority sold pink soccer balls, with 50% of the proceeds going to the Susan G. Komen foundation for breast-cancer research.
• Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, who had a grandmother suffer from breast cancer, wore a pink goalkeeper jersey for the game that will be auctioned off at kcwizards.com, the proceeds going to the Komen Foundation.
• Wizards coaches and staff wore pink ribbons to support the cause and breast-cancer awareness month.
• Following the match, Wizards players remained on the field to sign autographs for fans.
• Forward Eddie Johnson was the last player on the pitch, telling Wizards staff he would, "stay on the field until I've signed every autograph."
