A late tally by Jose Burciaga Jr. was the difference Saturday night as the Kansas City Wizards beat the Columbus Crew 1-0 at Crew Stadium. The victory was the Wizards' third in three games against the Crew this season and continued the Crew's recent rollercoaster ride that included one of the worst losses in club history and the biggest win of the season.
The Crew, using the same starting 11 as the previous match for the first time of the season, survived a first half carried by the Wizards. Kansas City looked nothing like the team that had not won in five matches -- since their April 29 visit to Columbus -- except that none of their many chances were finished. The Crew have 10 points since that encounter while the Wizards had earned just two before Saturday night.
While it took the Crew until their last time out -- in their 10th game -- to score more than one goal in a match, the Wizards have scored just a single goal now in nine consecutive games, after opening the season with three goals against Columbus and two vs. Houston.
Wizards forward Davy Arnaud missed a pair of golden chances early in the match. In the fourth minute, Burciaga played a ball over the Crew's backline. Columbus 'keeper Noah Palmer would have been able to get the ball first, but he slipped to the ground while considering playing the ball before it came into the penalty area. Although Arnaud easily collected the ball, he pushed a sitter wide with no one to beat.
Then in the 11th minute, Arnaud again failed to take advantage of a good scoring chance as he was denied by a kick save from Palmer.
The Crew earned their first scoring chance just minutes later on a free kick. Burciaga fouled Jacob Thomas on the right flank a few yards outside of the area. Jose Retiz had his eyes on the far upper corner, but K.C. goalkeeper Will Hesmer was able to parry the shot away for a corner. Hesmer joined Tyson Wahl and Lance Watson in the Wizards starting lineup in their first MLS starts.
The game opened up briefly in the 25th minute with great scoring chances for both clubs. The Wizards had the first crack, as Kerry Zavagnin was unlucky not to have one of his shots find the back of the net. His first shot was stopped by Palmer, who could not fully control the shot, then his shot off the rebound beat the Crew 'keeper, but defender Ritchie Kotschau cleared the ball off the line.
The Crew raced to the other end as Thomas made a commanding run on the right flank. His service pressed the Wizards defense as striker Jason Garey was lurking in the area.
The teams exchanged opportunities near the end of the half. After Arnaud found Ryan Pore open at the top of the box, the Ohio native mishit his shot well wide of goal. Then the Crew's Joseph Ngwenya looked to put his side ahead from distance, but Hesmer ensured the teams were level at the break.
The Wizards opened the second half with more excellent yet unsuccessful chances. Alex Zotinca served a free kick to the back post where Wahl outjumped Retiz at the back post. He should have done better with his header that went over the goal.
Several minutes later, a superb passing sequence led to substitute Scott Sealy taking a shot that appeared to be heading on goal. But the effort went wide after being inadvertently deflected by teammate Sasha Victorine.
Arnaud failed to take advantage of a second Crew slip in the 75th minute. Center back Chad Marshall lost his balance as a cross came towards him and Arnaud found himself open near the penalty spot. Although Marshall still wasn't back to his feet, he was in perfect position to block the shot.
The Wizards saved their lone finish for the waning moments of the match. Substitute Matt Groenwald found Burciaga with a cross and the Wizards defender made no mistake in finding the back of the net for the second consecutive week. His glancing header found the lower left corner of the goal as Palmer dove to no avail, moving the Wizards ahead of the Crew into sole possession of second place in the Eastern Conference.
Kansas City heads home to take on the Chicago Fire next Saturday while Columbus returns to the road with a match at Chivas USA the following day.
John Kuhn is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or it clubs.
