Wizards Fall on the Road

For the first time since the 1999 season, and only the second time in team history, the KC Wizards are 0-2 to start a season. Last night in Colorado, the Wizards fell to the Rapids 2-1. Kansas City was not only missing Roger Espinoza and the 5 players that were expected to be out for last night's game, but Davy Arnaud also did not appear in the game due to the neck stiffness he developed after the Toronto game. In Arnaud's place, was Lance Watson, getting only his second start in 2 years. The first half saw both teams start the game slow, with neither team getting many great chances. As the half went on, Colorado started to take control of the game. Late in the first half, Colorado tested Kevin Hartman twice. Both shots Hartman was able to stop, giving him the MLS record for saves, passing former Wizard Tony Meola. Hartman made 2 more saves in the second half giving him 1139 saves for his career.

The second half saw the offenses get more into the game. Claudio Lopez got played in behind the defense early in the second half and was able to get a good shot off. Unfortunately that shot was right at Matt Pickens in the Rapid's net who easily saved it. Colorado grabbed the lead in the 65th minute after a foul by Jonathan Leathers just outside the box. Terry Cooke, who had just entered into the game struck the free kick into the net, giving Hartman no chance. KC was able to respond back fairly quickly. Leathers played a ball through to Michael Kraus, who had only entered two minutes earlier. Kraus took a few touches and as Pickens came off his Kraus touched the ball over him. The ball hit the under side of the cross bar and fell into the net, tying the game at 1-1.

Kansas City continued to press, but was caught out on the break. Colorado broke out quickly from a Wizards' corner. Colin Clark played in Omar Cummings who raced past the Wizards defense and slotted the ball past Hartman. After the goal, Kansas City pushed to try to tie the game back up. Herculez Gomez came close when he pressured Pickens on a back pass. The best chances came late in the game, as a Matt Besler cross was headed towards Kraus, but Pickens was quick off his line and touched the ball clear. KC's best chance late came in stoppage time, when a corner by Lopez was placed perfectly for Jimmy Conrad, but Conrad's effort from the header went over the bar.

Wizards Man of the Match - Michael Kraus - Off the bench, Kraus was the Wizards most dangerous threat on offense.

Player Ratings Hartman 5, Leathers 3, Conrad 4, Hohlbein 5, Harrington 4, Gomez 5, Watson 5, Jewsbury 4, Zusi 4, Lopez 5, Thompson 4. Subs Hirsig 5, Kraus 6, Besler NR