Wizards Continue Current Good Run of Form

The Wizards continued their current good run of form last night, pulling off a 1-0 win over Toronto at Community America Ballpark, giving them 7 points from the last 9 games, along with a win against Manchester United sandwiched in there as well. Before the game even started things were going poorly for the Canadian side, as much of their equipment did not make it to KC on time. In fact the last thing to show up, their shoes, didn't get there until an hour before the game started.

The first half of the game was a fairly unattractive and boring game, as both team's seemed to do a lot of feeling out and not a lot of dangerous attacking. Both TFC and KC had some half chances and KC did put the ball in the net through Kei Kamara, but it was called back for offside. The best chance of the entire first half came from TFC forward Mista in the 42nd minute. Mista brought down a ball from Micon Santos between two Wizards defender. With his next touch, Mista fired in a shot headed for the low corner, but Jimmy Nielsen made his weekly Save of the Week contribution, pushing the ball wide for a corner.

The second half continued with a bit of drab play, but Toronto was getting the better of it, again not really creating any chances, but controlling the ball in the middle of the field as well as being physical. Craig Rocastle seemed to be getting pay back for all the fouls he's dished out so far this season. KC did have what appeared to be a pretty good penalty shout, when Kamara was brought down in the box by former Wizard, Nick Garcia, but referee Abbey Okulaja waived off the calls. Through the game, the second half inn particular it seemed, Kamara and Garcia renewed their old rivalry that they've had for years now. Unfortunately it also looks like it'll cost Kamara some money due to some comments he made post game on Twitter, one in particular called out the referee for not giving a card. Usually those sorts of things will get you a call from the league office. The Wizards suffered what could be a very big blow in the 57th, when on a run Ryan Smith pulled up lame, grabbing at his hamstring. With no one around him this could turn out to be a very bad injury for the Englishman. In good news though, his replacement, Josh Wolff, actually had a very good performance causing problems for TFC all over their defensive third when he came on.

KC scored shortly after Wolff's introduction. Roger Espinoza cleared a ball out of the defensive end, really just clearing the defensive line for KC to release pressure on the defense. The ball was met by TFC defender Adrian Cann, who instead of heading it clear headed it into the middle of the field, where Teal Bunbury was making a run. Bunbury met the ball at the top of the box and headed it over Stefan Frei. Frei got a hand to it, but the ball looped down, hit the underside of the cross bar, bounced on the line and into the net giving KC the 1-0 lead. While TFC now searched for an equalizer, KC had chances themselves to double their lead. Espinoza had a shot from outside the box that was deflected just enough by Wolff to cause a little bit of problems but not a whole lot for the TFC goalkeeper. Wolff did make Frei work in the 90th when he ripped a laser from the top of the box that Frei parried up into the air and caught on the way down. In stoppage time as TFC continued to push forward, Wolff caught TFC on the break. He got in behind the defense down the right line. As Bunbury ran into the box, Wolff dropped the ball back to substituted Birahim Diop at the top of the box. Diop had time to take a touch, but instead one timed the shot wide of the post. The other missed chances did not come back to bite KC though as they held on for the 1-0 win.

The win moves KC into 4th place in the East, at least for the time being.

Wizards Man of the Match - Stephane Auvray - A rock again in the center of midfield for the Wizards. The man is absolutely tireless in his work rate for the team.

Player Ratings - Nielsen 6, Harrington 6, Thomas 6, Conrad 6, Espinoza 6, Arnaud 6, Auvray 7, Rocastle 7, Kamara 5, Bunbury 6, Smith 5. Subs Wolff 6, Jewsbury 5, Diop NR.