Match Number 2

After taking yesterday off from the rankings, I'm back with the number 2 match of the year.

#5 vs Columbus Crew
#4 vs New York Red Bulls
#3 vs Chivas USA

#2


8/22 vs Chicago Fire 3-2
Down the Byline original write up

This game had pretty much everything you want in a game. It had two teams that were fighting for something (playoff spots). A crowd that was divided thanks to the Fire bringing in Mexican international, Cuauhtemoc Blanco. It had goals, it had good saves, it had a PK miss, it was a good game.

Kansas City looked to fall behind early, as Chicago earned a PK early in the game. But Wizards defender, Nick Garcia, standing at the top of the penalty arch kept Blanco from his long run up. Blanco's PK went right at Kevin Hartman, who stood his ground and blocked the PK. Blanco, though, came back and set up Chicago's first goal in first half stoppage time, that Chad Barrett put away.

The Wizards came out hard in the second half, but almost gave up a second in 50th minute as Chris Rolfe had a shot nicely saved by Hartman In the 54th minute, KC found themselves level as Jose Burciaga's cross was put in by Sasha Victorine. The Wizards were then given a man advantage, as Gonzalo Segares picked up a second yellow in the 66th minute. It took the Wizards only two minutes to take advantage of the man advantage. Burciaga was again the creator, as he played for the whistle on a ball that looked like it went out of bounds. With no call from the referee, and the Fire players stopping, Burciaga went down the line and picked out Scott Sealy, who's touch put the ball over a sliding CJ Brown, and then Sealy buried the shot to give the Wizards the lead.

Chicago had a chance to draw level by both Paulo Wanchope had a point blank shot saved by Hartman right into the path of Ivan Guerrero, who had a wide open net, but shot it right at Hartman as he was making his way back to recover. After assisting on the first two goals, Burciaga finally got his goal, when Eddie Johnson flicked on a Ryan Raybould cross into Burciaga's path that he buried into the net, capping off a fantastic night for Burciaga. A late goal by Dasan Robinson didn't spoil the mood, though, as the Wizards went on to win 3-2.