Some How KC is Still Alive

It'll take a full on miracle, but some how the Wizards are still alive in the race to get into the playoffs, but after last night's performance in LA, those hopes are basically gone. Needing a win, KC laid an egg and lost 2-0 to Chivas USA. On a night when Columbus even gave KC a helping hand by defeating New England (that win is what is keeping the Wizards faint playoff hopes alive).

KC started off strong, had a decent first half, and probably should have taken the lead in the 17th. Graham Zusi raced onto a hospital ball of a back pass, beat Zach Thornton to the ball, squared to Kei Kamara who met the ball the same time as the Chivas USA defender. The ball fell back to Zusi who scuffed his shot wide of the net. Both teams had a few other chances in the half, Kevin Hartman getting his finger tips to a Maykel Galindo shot, and Kamara scuffing a shot in front of net that was almost run onto by Josh Wolff. Still, the first half ended scoreless.

In the second half, the Wizards again continued to try to push for the first goal, and if not for the wood work, Claudio Lopez would have had a wonder goal as he volleyed from 30 yards out, beat Thornton but could not beat the cross bar. From there, though, Chivas started to control the game, Sacha Kljestan had a good shot paried away by Hartman not long after Lopez's effort. After a foul 35 yards out from goal, Chivas scored their first goal. Hartman saved the initial shot, but the rebound fell to an offside Yamith Cuesta, who squared to Justin Braun who beat Hartman. Yes, I said offside, see the picture below from right before Kljestan took the shot, Cuesta is already ahead of the last defender. My angle of the line is a little off, but Cuesta is in front of the last defender, which looks to be Matt Besler. For those that scream that Hartman touched the ball, please see the second image from FIFA's Laws of the Game on this exact issue.
Despite that, the call was not made, and the Wizards were down 1-0. Kljestan would get his goal only two minutes later, as he recieved the ball at the top of the Wizards box, beat 3 Wizards defenders with one move, sprinted by and beat Hartman to double the Chivas lead. KC had some late half chances, but none that really troubled Thornton in the Chivas net.

KC was also lucky to finish the game with 11 men, as Davy Arnaud should have been red carded for a very reckless challenge in the 90th minute.

Another lack luster result from the Wizards, the offense again looked very anemic and didn't really look likely to score at all. Despite the offside call not being made on the first Chivas goal, KC did not deserve to win this game. They created very little on offense and played with fire one too many times on defense.

Wizards Man of the Match - Kei Kamara - I really like watching this guy play, he's brought an added demention to the Wizards that I don't know if I've ever seen this team have. Hopefully he finds the net soon and the Wizards are able to keep him around. He has the size of a guy that can play as a target player, but the footwork and speed of a more withdrawn forward.

Player ratings - Hartman 5, Leathers 3, Hohlbein 3, Besler 3, Harrington 4, Arnaud 3, Jewsbury 3, Zusi 4, Lopez 5, Kamara 5, Wolff 3. Subs Zoltan 4, Espinoza 4, Myers 4.