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Wizards Defeat Sounders After Keller Sent Off
The Kansas City Wizards handed Seattle Sounders FC their first loss of the season before another Qwest Field sellout crowd of 28,746.
Apr 12, 2009 3:24:21 AM
Seattle Sounders FC played a man down after Kasey Keller was sent off for a handball outside of the box in the team's loss to visiting Kansas City Wizards. This was Keller’s first sending off in 17 years.
Forward Davy Arnaud scored in the 80th minute on replacement goalkeeper Ben Dragavon. Arnaud scored on a laser shot that glanced off Dravagon’s right hand before hitting the back of the net.
Dravagon is designated by MLS as an “extreme hardship callup,” which allows a team a call up whenever it has less than two healthy ‘keepers.
Seattle had numerous chances in the second half to take the lead despite playing with ten men. Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg controlled play on both ends of the pitch before being substituted in the 81st minute. Forward Fredy Montero returned to action after missing last week’s game in Toronto with the flu.
“They really didn’t put anything on goal in the second half,” Schmid said. “I was proud of the way we played.”
A clearly frustrated Kasey Keller bemoaned his first sending off in 17 years. On missing the next game against Chivas USA, Keller said, “That’s going to be a monster. I never miss games. Having to know that I can’t play the next game is eating me alive.”
Schmid plans to evaluate his goalkeeping situation next week. Chris Eylander, who was the backup to Keller, said he was ready to play. “The decision will be known by next week if I start or not.”
First Half
Kasey Keller received a red card in the 29th minute when he attempted to stop a shot by Herculez Gomez outside of the box. Referee Abiodun Okulaja immediately pulled out a red card and sent Keller to the showers for the rest of night.
Ben Dravagon entered the game in place of Keller. MLS allows a late emergency pool goalkeeper when a team is down to less than two healthy goalkeepers. Chris Eylander, Seattle’s usual backup is expected to return this week.
Freddie Ljungberg controlled play in the midfield and made numerous passes and crosses to Montero and Evans, but the balls were eventually cleared by KC.
Claudio Lopez made several runs and shots on goal. Dragavon got into the game and made a nice save with his arm to prevent a Kansas City score in the 35th minute.
A physical first half ended with each team committing ten fouls apiece.
Second Half
Seattle controlled the tempo in second half with Brad Evans stopped by 'keeper Hartmann making a nice save in the 58th minute.
In the 65th minute, Montero had the ball in possession with Hartmann out of position. Kansas City defender Matt Besler stepped up and deflected the ball over the end line to stop another Seattle threat.
Seattle’s shutout streak ended when Dragavon failed to stop a rocket shot in the 80th minute from forward Davy Arnaud that put Kansas City up 1-0.
The third consecutive sellout crowd of 28,746 fell into stunned silence when the ball hit the back of the net.
Seattle mounted several more attacks before the referee blew his whistle to end the game and stop the Sounders' unbeaten streak at three.
John Zielonka is the Seattle Goal.com correspondent.
Go to Goal.com's MLS section for all the latest on the U.S. game.
Forward Davy Arnaud scored in the 80th minute on replacement goalkeeper Ben Dragavon. Arnaud scored on a laser shot that glanced off Dravagon’s right hand before hitting the back of the net.
Dravagon is designated by MLS as an “extreme hardship callup,” which allows a team a call up whenever it has less than two healthy ‘keepers.
Seattle had numerous chances in the second half to take the lead despite playing with ten men. Midfielder Freddie Ljungberg controlled play on both ends of the pitch before being substituted in the 81st minute. Forward Fredy Montero returned to action after missing last week’s game in Toronto with the flu.
“They really didn’t put anything on goal in the second half,” Schmid said. “I was proud of the way we played.”
A clearly frustrated Kasey Keller bemoaned his first sending off in 17 years. On missing the next game against Chivas USA, Keller said, “That’s going to be a monster. I never miss games. Having to know that I can’t play the next game is eating me alive.”
Schmid plans to evaluate his goalkeeping situation next week. Chris Eylander, who was the backup to Keller, said he was ready to play. “The decision will be known by next week if I start or not.”
First Half
Kasey Keller received a red card in the 29th minute when he attempted to stop a shot by Herculez Gomez outside of the box. Referee Abiodun Okulaja immediately pulled out a red card and sent Keller to the showers for the rest of night.
Ben Dravagon entered the game in place of Keller. MLS allows a late emergency pool goalkeeper when a team is down to less than two healthy goalkeepers. Chris Eylander, Seattle’s usual backup is expected to return this week.
Freddie Ljungberg controlled play in the midfield and made numerous passes and crosses to Montero and Evans, but the balls were eventually cleared by KC.
Claudio Lopez made several runs and shots on goal. Dragavon got into the game and made a nice save with his arm to prevent a Kansas City score in the 35th minute.
A physical first half ended with each team committing ten fouls apiece.
Second Half
Seattle controlled the tempo in second half with Brad Evans stopped by 'keeper Hartmann making a nice save in the 58th minute.
In the 65th minute, Montero had the ball in possession with Hartmann out of position. Kansas City defender Matt Besler stepped up and deflected the ball over the end line to stop another Seattle threat.
Seattle’s shutout streak ended when Dragavon failed to stop a rocket shot in the 80th minute from forward Davy Arnaud that put Kansas City up 1-0.
The third consecutive sellout crowd of 28,746 fell into stunned silence when the ball hit the back of the net.
Seattle mounted several more attacks before the referee blew his whistle to end the game and stop the Sounders' unbeaten streak at three.
John Zielonka is the Seattle Goal.com correspondent.
Go to Goal.com's MLS section for all the latest on the U.S. game.
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