3 More Road Points

New York were without their best player, Juan Pablo Angel, and KC had to hold on late, but KC came away with 3 points against the New York Red Bulls last night in New York to finish their road trip with 6 of 9 points. While that's the good news, the Wizards still had trouble finishing off opportunities, and much like Wednesday dominated play but could not find multiple goals.

Once again the Wizards started the game off well pressing the Red Bulls as well as trying to strike on the counter. One of those counters from a Red Bull defensive error led to KC's first goal. Claudio Lopez. Lopez got in behind the Red Bulls defense and was one on one with Bouna Coundoul, but unfortunately just like in New England, Lopez's shot was save. The rebound, though, fell to Josh Wolff who was following the play. Wolff took a touch and fired a shot past Coundoul, who had started to retreat back to his line and into the net to give KC the lead. Throughout the rest of the first half, KC continued to pressure and tried to hit the Red Bulls on the counter. Wolff should have doubled his total when Herculez Gomez played Wolff through with a beautiful ball. Wolff got in alone with Coundoul, but pushed his shot wide of the post. KC continued to pressure but could not find another goal.

In the second half, it was New York that was the more agreesive side, as they pushed the game on Kansas City. The attacks by New York early in the half seemed to come in waves but without many really dangerous chances at the end of those waves. KC almost hit on the counter, as Santiago Hirsig was denied by Condoul in the 57th minute. Kevin Hartman had himself a good game coming up with some big saves in both halves, but also had some moments in question, like coming way too far out of his box and getting beaten by Macoumba Kandji, before recovering to force a corner and not getting enough of a punch on a cross. On the later, Hartman was saved by Jonathan Leathers who headed the following Red Bulls' shot off the line. He made up for it though in the 90th minute as he made a diving save on a redirected shot by Carlos Johnson that was headed inside the near post. That was Red Bulls last really good chance although they pressured right up to the final whistle. After the final whistle, Johnson earned himself his second red card in as many games against KC after a confrontation with Davy Arnaud and Michael Harrington.

Kansas City put together a very good first half, but once again they have trouble with their finish, KC should have been able to find net 2-3 times the way the New York defense was playing. In the second half, KC sat back a little too much trying to protect the lead and New York came out for the second half ready to go. Combine those two things and you get the second half you saw with the Wizards on their heals for much of the half defending like mad men and New York attacking in waves.

Wizards Man of the Match - Jonathan Leathers - If for nothing but that goal line save alone. Overall, though, Leathers had himself a very solid game at right back. He did well to neutralize New York's attacks down that side and was well positioned as the goal line save showed.

Honorable Mention - Kevin Hartman

Player Ratings - Hartman 7, Leathers 7, Conrad 6, Hohlbein 6, Harrington 5, Gomez 5, Hirsig 5, Jewsbury 4, Lopez 5, Arnaud 4, Wolff 6. Subs Zusi 4, Morsink NR