Wizards get GREAT road win

The Kansas City Wizards pulled out a fantastic win on the road tonight in New England against the Revolution, thanks to a hattrick from Eddie Johnson. The Wizards, playing without 3 starting defenders, started the game pressuring the Revs higher up the field. Pressure by the midfielders and the forwards allowed there to be less pressure on the Wizards back 4, which was starting 2 rookies, a second year player, and a converted midfielder. Even though the Wizards went down 2-0, the high pressure was working effectively, as the Revs had only a few chances, the problem was, they converted those first two chances to put the Wizards in a hole. Then results changed, only 2 minutes after Taylor Twellman made it 2-0, Davy Aranud equalized, bringing down a cross from Sasha Victorine sweetly off his chest and then one timed it past Matt Reis to cut the deficit in half. Less then a minute later, the Wizards found themselves level thanks to Johnson's fourth of the season. Johnson received the ball from Jack Jewsbury, turned Jay Heaps, then beat him and placed the ball under Reis to tie the game at 2 with only 25 minutes played. The Wizards made it 3-2 in the 38th, with Johnson again being the goal scorer. Johnson beat Heaps again, as he cut across the face of goal, and finished between 2 Reves defenders to give the Wizards a shocking 3-2 lead as the teams headed into the half time break.

The Revs were able to draw level in the 69th minute thanks to a Jewsbury handball that lead to a PK, which was buried by Shalrie Joseph. The final goal of the game in the 82nd minute, was probably the best of them all. Carlos Marinelli played a fantastic through ball, splitting the Revs defense. Johnson was able to run across the field, and his first touch was excellent, as it allowed him to round Reis with the touch and then bury it into the net to make it 4-3, and complete his first ever hattrick. It was the Wizards first hattrick since Davy Arnaud back in 2004. The win was preserved a few minutes later off of a great save by Kevin Hartman on Twellman.

This is a fantastic result for the Wizards, they went into New England undermanned and came out of there with the full 3 points. The Wizards are now only 1 point out of first place with a big game against Red Bull coming up at Arrowhead next weekend.

3 Stars of the Game
1. Eddie Johnson - KC - Eddie's best game I think I've ever seen him play, he was physical, he used pace, he used skill, he looked dangerous, he looked like the striker that the Wizards and the US National team need.
2. Davy Arnaud - KC - Davy has now gotten a point in 3 straight games now, and a goal in his last 2. His first touch on his goal was world class.
3. Steve Ralston - NE - The Revs best player tonight, scored their first goal and had a shot off of a free kick hit the cross bar.