Stuck in a Time Warp?

Was today October 15, 2000? Cause it certainly felt like it watching the Wizards take on the Chicago Fire. Like on that day, the Wizards made an early goal stand up to get a 1-0 win over the Fire. This time the goal scorer was Jack Jewsbury on a superb assist by Claudio Lopez. Lopez's cutting ball was met by Jewsbury, who beat his defended and goalkeeper Jon Busch to the ball and then fired the ball home. After that, it became a matter of absorbing pressure.

Chicago got numerous chances, with Kevin Hartman making saves on Blanco, Chad Barrett, Tomasz Frankowski, Justin Mapp, and any other Fire player who got a shot on goal. Hartman also got some help, when Chad Barrett skied a shot from 5 yards out when he was all alone staring at an open net. While Chicago had the run of play for the most part, KC had their own chances to add to their lead, Scott Sealy had a goal called back for offsides, Lopez just missed the side netting to start the second half, and Tyson Wahl hit the post.

Over the course of the game, the Wizards had trouble stringing passes together. It seemed like all their passes were running short on them, either due to high grass, or lack of power on the pass. Either way, there were way to many give aways, especially in the Wizards defensive half of the field for my liking, that will definitely have to be cleaned up for this road trip.

Great way to start the long road trip, already proving my predictions for the trip wrong. Getting a win in a place where the Wizards haven't been very good in their history has got to give the guys a mental boost heading into Toronto next week.

Wizards Man of the Match - Kevin Hartman - Playing the role of Tony Meola in this reenactment of MLS Cup 2000, Hartman made save after save against Chicago today. Getting some help from his defenders, including Chance Myers who saved one off the line.

Honorable Mention - Jack Jewsbury, Claudio Lopez