No Place Like Our (Second) Home

It took a trip to Gillette Stadium, the Wizards second home to not only end the team's scoreless streak, but their winless streak as well. KC took care of business and came away 4-2 winners on the road for their first win since beating New England at home back in June.

Coming into the game, the team was minutes away from setting a single season goal scoring futility record. Claudio Lopez ended all of that though in the 3rd minute when a deflected pass by Josh Wolff made it's way to Lopez who made no mistake as he put the shot pass Revolution keeper Brad Knighton. Kansas City to have some good possession early and were getting chances but were unable to finish them. Just when the Revolution were starting to get into the game though, Sharlie Joseph was shown a red card for a studs up challenge on Jack Jewsbury although it didn't look like Joseph made much of any contact with Jewsbury. KC regained control of the game and Wolff helped make it 2-0 as he made a 35 yard run into the Revolution's box before squaring a ball back looking for Davy Arnaud. His pass though deflected off of two Revolution defenders and into their own net, doubling KC's lead. KC continued to attack throughout the rest of the half, with Herculez Gomez having a lot of space down the right side to attack with, and if KC had gotten more runners into the box it could have been 3 or 4 before half time even.

In the second half, it was the Revolution, a man down, that started the half by dictating the tempo and they were justly rewarded when Edgaras Jankauskas hit a fantastic volley that Kevin Hartman had no chance at in the 64th. It should have been 3-1 only minutes later when Lopez broke through behind the Revolution defense, but 1v1 with the keeper, Lopez ended up having his shot saved by Knighton's foot. The Revolution were continuing to look for the equalizer and KC once again had trouble clearing their end. When they did, though, they appeared to put the game to rest, as Lopez picked out Wolff as he made a diagonal run into the box. Knighton was quick off his line and intercepted the ball, but couldn't hold on. The ball fell to Wolff who made no mistake turning and putting the ball into the roof of the net to make it 3-1. Still, the Revolution wouldn't go away and in the 81st made it a one goal game again, as Kheli Dube got in front of Jimmy Conrad and headed in a Sainey Nyassi cross to make it 3-2. In second half stoppage time, KC finally completely killed the game when Chance Myers picked out Wolff who was making a back post run. Wolff one timed Myers' cross into the net for the Wizards 600th league goal and start the 3 game road trip off right.

Overall a good performance by KC, even before the red card, they looked good and dangerous going forward and creating chances. This time they were actually able to finish the chances. They took advantage of the red card and were able to put more balls into the net. They did allow the Revolution to stay in the game, which is the troubling thing, but when it did come down to it, the Wizards stepped up, found another goal or two and took all 3 points from a game that they had to have. A good way to start off the road trip.

Wizards Man of the Match - Josh Wolff - Had a hand in all 4 of the Wizards goals last night, his initial run and pass led to Lopez's goal. He made a fantastic run AT DEFENDERS to set up the own goal and then scored 2 very typical poacher goals himself. A good performance from Wolff.

Honorable Mention - Claudio Lopez

Player Ratings - Hartman 6, Watson 5, Conrad 4, Besler 4, Harrington 5, Gomez 5, Hirsig 5, Jewsbury 5, Lopez 6, Arnaud 5, Wolff 8. Subs Myers 6, Zusi NR, Zoltan NR