CARSON, Calif. - The Kansas City Wizards withstood 90 nerve-wracking minutes and held on to its single-goal series lead at the Home Depot Center on Saturday night, holding Chivas USA to a scoreless draw to advance to the Western Conference Championship.
After dropping the first leg of the playoff series last week by a 1-0 score, Chivas came out firing and put intense pressure on the Wizards for much of the contest.
The Wizards defense, however, was up to the challenge and pulled out its third consecutive shutout. This one, though, sees them through to next Saturday's conference championship against Houston Dynamo.
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman was a key factor in the result. The veteran 'keeper made several spectacular saves throughout the match to keep his third successive clean sheet intact. Two shots, though, were saved by the goalposts, while another was headed off the line.
From the outset it was apparent that the Wizards did not intend to put numbers behind the ball and play to defend its slim lead.
In the third minute, Eddie Johnson took a ball deep into the Chivas half and hit a low, hard pass in front of the net that got past Brad Guzan. Fortunately for the hosts, there was nobody to tap the ball into the empty net. The ball, though, rolled towards the left touchline and was knocked back into the Chivas area. Jimmy Conrad was able to get his head on the lofted pass but his shot went just over the crossbar.
Minutes later, Johnson threatened again. This time he raced towards the Chivas penalty area but hit a hasty shot that sailed over the goal.
Hartman was not tested until the 12th minute. Ramon Nunez's 15-yard shot, however, was sent directly into Hartman's chest and he made the easy save.
A minute later, though, Nunez had another shot that beat Hartman but rolled inches wide left of the goal.
Midway through the half, Chivas began to increase their pressure on the Wizards defense and Hartman was forced to make two saves, the second an impressive diving block of a 20-yard Nunez shot.
By halftime, Chivas had out-shot the Wizards by a 5-1 margin. Chivas maintained that high pressure into the second half.
In the 52nd minute, former Wizards back Shavar Thomas connected with a header on a Chivas corner kick but his attempt was a few feet wide of the goal.
Three minutes later, Johnson had a golden opportunity to seal the series. Johnson was fed a pass at the top of the Chivas penalty area. With the defense deep in the area, Johnson had time to settle the ball and hit a standing shot at goal. His attempt, though, was sent straight into the arms of Guzan who made the easy save.
Wizards midfielder Kurt Morsink made a huge stop in the 59th minute. Thomas headed a Chivas corner kick at the goal but Jewsbury was perfectly positioned near the right post and headed the ball clear off the line to preserve the tie, but more importantly, the series lead.
Wizards coach Curt Onalfo made his first move in the 68th minute, substituting Ryan Pore for Sasha Victorine. Victorine was on the receiving end of a hard slide tackle by Nunez minutes earlier.
A minute later, Chivas nearly turned the match and series around. Francisco Mendoza caught a Wizards defender off guard in the Wizards half of the field and sped towards goal before passing right to Galindo. Galindo hit a low shot that beat Hartman but could not beat the post as it bounced off the left goalpost and out of play.
Then, Galindo threatened the goal again with a six-yard shot. His aim was off though, and the ball hit the side netting.
Chivas fought until the end. In stoppage time, substitute John Cunliffe headed a corner kick that slammed off the crossbar, a last gasp for the hosts as their season came to an end.
As their reward, the Wizards face a road match against the defending league champion Houston Dynamo in next Saturday's Western Conference Championship at Robertson Stadium.
Danny Bueno is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
