Missed Chances Come Back to Haunt KC

Kansas City had all the chances in the world last night to not only take 1 point from their game in DC, but to take all 3. Unfortunately poor finishing from the Wizards, particularly Davy Arnaud ended up costing KC as they fell 1-0 to DC last night. KC could have been on top inside the first five minutes, as Claudio Lopez picked out Arnaud with a low cross, but Arnaud's one time effort was right at Josh Wicks in the DC net and easily saved. The Wizards continued to have the better of the chances early on, as Lopez tried to catch Wicks napping on a free kick from a tough angle. Wicks had to push Lopez's shot over the cross bar.

DC started to get into the game a bit more, and Christian Gomez hit the bar with header after a free kick. Jonathan Leathers even got forward into the Wizards attack, as he made a 40 yard run to the edge of the DC box where he shot. Wicks did not hold the shot, but another United player beat Jack Jewsbury to the ball before he could get the rebound. KC once again had multiple opportunities in the 36th minute, as a Herculez Gomez corner was partially cleared to Lopez, who crossed back into the box to Jimmy Conrad. Conrad put his first effort off the cross bar, the rebound fell back to Conrad, but his second attempt was right at Wicks. United still failed to clear and Josh Wolff missed on a bicycle attempt after Jewsbury had his shot blocked.

United responded and got on the board just after that off of a short corner. United played it short, then crossed to the back post where Chris Pontius put his shot off the base of the post. The rebound fell to Luciano Emilio unmarked on the other side of the goal and Emilio finished to give United the lead. KC should have been able to respond soon after that, as Lopez worked his way down the wing and played in a great cross to an unmarked Arnaud at the far post, but Arnaud, with the whole goal basically to shoot for, put his header wide of the near post.

In the second half, KC's best chance again fell to Arnaud. In the 64th minute, Wolff headed a cross back into the path of Arnaud who did well to control the ball, turned and let loose a shot, but from 14 yards out he put it over the bar. As the rest of the game wore on, KC tired out and failed to launch meaningful attacks as KC was shut out for the 5th time in 6 games. KC finished the game with 10 men after Chance Myers was shown a second yellow card in the 86th, effectively killing the game. KC will now travel to New York, where they will be without Myers, Jack Jewsbury, and Matt Besler all of whom are now suspended.

Overall the performance was good, especially the first 60 minutes, KC looked active and were creating chances, unfortunately the one part lacking in KC's game was finishing, particularly from Davy Arnaud who had a hattrick of chances but couldn't finish any of them. The chances were created and most teams would kill for the type of chances KC got, but this team continues to struggle with finding the back of the net.

Wizards Man of the Match - Claudio Lopez - Lopez set up multiple chances last night that regularly should be finished, chances by Arnaud and Conrad in particular were off of great crosses by Lopez. Better finishing and Lopez has 3-4 assists last night.

Player Ratings - Hartman 5, Leathers 5, Conrad 6, Besler 5, Harrington 5, Gomez 5, Hirsig 5, Jewsbury 4, Lopez 6, Wolff 5, Arnaud 4. Subs Myers 3, Zoltan 3, Zusi NR.