With the weekend off, KC threw out a virtual first team lineup in their game against the Houston Dynamo, with Eric Kronberg and Shavar Thomas being the only two players that hadn't started a game yet this season for KC. The Dynamo put out a few first teamers, but also put out more reserves than KC did. It took overtime, but KC pulled out a 1-0 win over the Dynamo thanks to a 92nd minute goal by CJ Sapong.
Unfortunately I was never able to get the stream from either Houston or KC's website to work so I listened to the entire game on Sports Radio 790 out of Houston. By the sounds of it, both teams had some good chances in regulation with Kronberg coming up big, especially late for KC, and Tyler Deric coming up big for the Dynamo. Kronberg may have had the biggest late in the second half on Will Bruin to preserve the tie and send it to extra time.
It's great to see the defense hold out and keep a shutout after allowing 8 in their first 3 league games. Hopefully this is the start of a turn around for the defense after the trouble starting the season. The defense needed to prove something this tonight after the performance against Vancouver and they did it tonight with a strong defensive performance, as Matt Besler said, "that's how it's done." With a week and a half off now until the next game hopefully all the knocks and bruises will be able to get up to prepare for the game against Columbus.
KC now gets the chance to host the 3rd qualifying round. A great opportunity to see the team at home before the home opener against Chicago in June. KC will be hosting either New England or DC after they defeated Philadelphia on penalty kicks tonight in their first round qualifying match. The location of the game in KC has not been decided yet, but as Robb Heineman posted on Twitter, it's either going to be at UMKC or at the Blue Valley Athletic Complex. UMKC hosted last year's qualifier against Colorado, the first time KC had played on UMKC's campus. Blue Valley has hosted the majority of open cup qualifiers played in KC. UMKC is turf while Blue Valley is a grass surface. Pros and cons of both personally I felt the atmosphere at UMKC last year was great and wouldn't mind returning there this year.
Wizards Man of the Match - Eric Kronberg - Again I'm only able to go off of what I heard while listening to the broadcast, but it certainly sounded like Kronberg kept us in this game at times.
No player ratings tonight.
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