The Kansas City Wizards wrapped up their exhibition schedule in Florida with a 3-0 win over the University of Central Florida in Orlando Friday Night. The Wizards used three first half goals to eliminate their opponent and finish with a 5-1-1 record. Kansas City outscored their opponents 16-5 while posting four shutouts in seven matches.
The Wizards first goal came in just the 5th minute as rookie John Minagawa-Webster moved up the right flank and served a dangerous left-footed cross into the box. A UCF defender tried to get a foot on the pass but instead re-directed the ball into his own net for an own goal, giving the Wizards an early 1-0 lead.
In the 20th minute, Preki broke free outside the box with his signature move and deposited a 22-yard shot into the upper corner of the right post to double the Wizards lead at 2-0.
Ten minutes later, Kansas City would earn their third goal of the evening as Jack Jewsbury let go of a worm-burner from 24-yards out that easily slipped past the goalkeeper and rustled the back netting to cap the games scoring in the first half.
The Wizards settled in the second half and maintained possession, rarely threatening the opposing end and instead opting for a possession game while working on short passes and controlling the speed of play.
Jewsbury's first half goal came in his first action of the preseason after undergoing shoulder surgery during the offseason. He was officially cleared to play by team doctors earlier in the day and played the first 75 minutes.
Another Wizards player making his first appearance of the year was newly acquired midfielder Sasha Victorine who was recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Like Jewsbury, Victorine was cleared to play earlier in the day and played the first half.
With their exhibition schedule in Florida now complete, the team will remain in Tampa for training sessions through the weekend and return to Kansas City on Tuesday, March 1st.
Scoring Summary:
KC- Own Goal (USF) 5'
KC- Preki (Unassisted) 20'
KC- Jack Jewsbury (Unassisted) 30'
Kansas City Wizards Lineup: Will Hesmer-GK (Chris Sawyer-46'); John Minagawa-Webster, Dustin Branan, Shavar Thomas, Brian Roberts; Jay Alberts, Sasha Victorine (Taylor Graham-46'), Jack Jewsbury (Brian Bliss-75'), Preki (Edwin Ruiz- 60'); Pat McGinnis, Edwin Ruiz (Ryan Pore-46')
