KC Get By Carolina

It took a late PK in regulation and two goals in extra time, but the Wizards made it by the Carolina Railhawks 4-2 after extra time tonight, in Cary, NC. KC started the game strong and looked to be bringing the game to Carolina, when Chance Myers went closer early in the match. KC, though, couldn't get the offense going, as Ryan Pore, and Carlos Marinelli both missed good chances. Carolina made the Wizards pay for those misses, as they came right back down the field and scored to give themselves the lead through Santiago Fusiller.

At halftime, Onalfo made two changes, bringing in Michael Harrington and Ivan Trujillo. It didn't pay off immediately, though, as Carolina took a 2-0 lead with Matthew Watson getting the goal. KC then started to come back, though. Trujillo hit the post, and then Harrington found Trujillo who headed past Chris McClellan, who had a very good game for the Railhawks.

KC continued to pressure as the second half continued, with Claudio Lopez introduced into the game, and late in the game, Roger Espinoza was obstructed in the box, and was given a pretty weak penalty kick. As weak as it was, Lopez put the PK away to tie the game and send it into extra time. In extra time, the advantage continued to go to KC, and a great through ball by Lopez found Trujillo, who finally beat McClellan in a 1v1 situation to make it 3-2 KC. In the second OT, Carolina went down to 10 men when Ryan Solle picked up his second yellow. The Wizards defended the 3-2 lead, and then sprung on the counter attack. On the counter, McClellan took down Pore in the box, setting up a second penalty kick for the Wizards. Pore put the PK away to give KC their fourth unanswered goal for a 4-2 win. Late in the game, things got very chippy, and Carolina picked up another red card.

Overall, it was a very exciting game, but the amount of time starters like Lopez, Harrington, and Hohlbein got tonight is troubling for Friday against FC Dallas. The Wizards now await the winner of the Chivas USA-Seattle Sounders game that is going on right now.

Wizards Man of the Match - Ivan Trujillo - 2 goals for the Colombian, he gets the winner early in extra time, after coming on as a sub at half time. A good performance for Trujillo, and he likely could have had 3 or 4 goals tonight if he hadn't been unlucky hitting the post.

Honorable Mention - Claudio Lopez, Michael Harrington