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Wizards Hold On For Victory Against Ten-Man New York
An early penalty from Claudio Lopez was enough to give hosts Kansas City three points against the Red Bulls and lift them into top spot in the East, at least for the next two days. Kansas City Wizards 1-0 New York Red Bulls
Apr 23, 2009 11:39:16 PM
History was made in Kansas City on Thursday night, but not the kind of history New York Red Bulls defender Carlos Johnson will want anyone to remember. The Costa Rican defender drew the earliest red card in Major League Soccer history, and the resulting penalty from Claudio Lopez stood up as the Kansas City Wizards hung on for a 1-0 win over the Red Bulls.
The Wizards entered the game riding the confidence of a three-game unbeaten streak, including last Saturday’s inspirational come-from-behind draw away to Chicago. New York also had reason to feel optimistic after getting their first win of the season last weekend against Real Salt Lake. But they were still languishing in 6th place in the East, two places below their hosts on the evening.
First Half
Before the confetti—presumably in honor of the Wizards’ recent Argentine flavor—had settled on the grass at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the home side were up a man and up a goal. In the 2nd minute, the ball came to Johnson at the top of the New York area. The defender’s lazy touch rolled into the path of Kansas City winger Herculez Gomez, and as Gomez went to shoot, Johnson slid out and dragged him down.
Referee Michael Kennedy immediately pointed to the spot and showed Johnson his marching orders. Aside from being the earliest red card in MLS history, it made Johnson two for two: This was his second red in just his second appearance for the Red Bulls.
Once the teams settled down, Lopez stepped up and nestled his shot into the lower left corner, sending the boisterous crowd into a frenzy. It was Lopez’s second goal of the season.
“It was a clear PK call," Lopez said after the game. "I just tried to see the keeper and try to shoot it the other way.”
Stunned to be down a goal so early, the Red Bulls were unable to mount much of a response, and Kansas City initially pushed for the second. In the 8th minute, Santiago Hirsig whipped a cross from the right side to the post, but Conway was able to get there just ahead of Lopez.
The Wizards seemed to lose its steam in the 17th minute, when a big collision between New York’s Carlos Mendes and KC’s Jack Jewsbury saw Jewsbury stretchered off. He returned to play on, but was eventually replaced by Michael Harrington 15 minutes later.
Wide swaths of green existed in the middle of the field, but neither team really created many chances. New York’s best opportunity of the first half was a freekick from Venezuelan midfielder Jorge Rojas. His big run-up, however, resulted in nothing. His low, hard 35-yard shot fading to the right, not even producing a save from Wizards keeper Kevin Hartman.
Second Half
The second stanza opened as slowly as the first half ended. Neither team seemed to want to assert itself—New York because it was down and man and unable to conjure up a coherent attacking move; Kansas City due to a simple lack of impetus.
The Red Bulls finally pounded their hooves the first time in the 52nd minute when Alfredo Pacheco’s long diagonal pass found striker Juan Pablo Angel. The Colombian brought the ball down in the KC area and snapped a hard volley. It was New York’s first shot on goal, but in the end Hartman didn’t have to do much to parry it away.
Both teams continued to huff and puff, with the Red Bulls getting the better of the possession, but neither could create a decent chance.
In the 59th minute, New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio inserted Dane Richards, the speedy Jamaican who has often given the side a spark. He replaced Macoumba Kandji, who was rarely seen in his hour of play, failing to have the same positive effect he has had in recent weeks.
Within minutes, Richards made his presence known. His quick first step on the right side drew a foul from Matt Besler. Pacheco then fired a curling freekick that made the crowd gasp, but ultimately sailed over the bar harmlessly.
In the 68th minute, the Wizards’ Aaron Hohlbein nearly iced the game. Lopez swerved an in-swinging freekick from right side that was too far out for Conway to make a play. The ball dropped to Hohlbein, who headed the ball goalward, but he failed to get any force on the shot and Conway calmly parried it out of danger.
The game began to stretch in the final quarter of an hour. In the 80th minute, a fine KC counterattack led by substitute Michael Kraus looked optimistic, but Davy Arnaud—who was invisible most of the evening—was unable to get his cross to the wide-open teammate at the far post. Instead, Pacheco easily headed the ball out of danger.
Then, New York’s best chance of the night was squandered by Angel. The marksman, who scored a league-high 33 goals over the last two seasons, had a perfectly placed freekick, about 28 yards out and just off center. He nailed a similar set piece last season against the Columbus Crew, but this time, Angel skied the shot, much to his own frustration and his teammates’.
Then, in injury time, his frustration reached another level, as a glorious chance went begging. A loose ball flicked on by New York’s Matthew Mbuta, making his first appearance in 2009, dropped kindly into the Kansas City area. Angel got in behind Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad and toe-poked a shot from four yards. But Hartman did well to get off his line and throw himself at the ball to make the save, preserving the three points for Kansas City.
"The whole course of the game changed with that first play," Angel told the press after the game. "I think it was one of those tough calls for the referee. I think we showed a little character. The positive thing we can take from here is we didn’t cut back, we went for the game, we tried to get the equalizer, and it didn’t happen. But I think there were a lot of positives."
The Wizards now jump up into first place in the East, one point ahead of Chicago, but having played one more game. On Sunday, they visit Toronto, always a tough place to play.
“We’re confident, but we’re aware that we need to get better," Conrad said after the game. "We’re not playing our best soccer right now, but we’re getting results, and that’s a good thing. We still have a lot of room for improvement.”
The Red Bulls, who fell to 0-10-6 in last 16 road games, remain near the bottom of the table, and must travel home to face D.C. United on Sunday.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
The Wizards entered the game riding the confidence of a three-game unbeaten streak, including last Saturday’s inspirational come-from-behind draw away to Chicago. New York also had reason to feel optimistic after getting their first win of the season last weekend against Real Salt Lake. But they were still languishing in 6th place in the East, two places below their hosts on the evening.
First Half
Before the confetti—presumably in honor of the Wizards’ recent Argentine flavor—had settled on the grass at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the home side were up a man and up a goal. In the 2nd minute, the ball came to Johnson at the top of the New York area. The defender’s lazy touch rolled into the path of Kansas City winger Herculez Gomez, and as Gomez went to shoot, Johnson slid out and dragged him down.
Referee Michael Kennedy immediately pointed to the spot and showed Johnson his marching orders. Aside from being the earliest red card in MLS history, it made Johnson two for two: This was his second red in just his second appearance for the Red Bulls.
Once the teams settled down, Lopez stepped up and nestled his shot into the lower left corner, sending the boisterous crowd into a frenzy. It was Lopez’s second goal of the season.
“It was a clear PK call," Lopez said after the game. "I just tried to see the keeper and try to shoot it the other way.”
Stunned to be down a goal so early, the Red Bulls were unable to mount much of a response, and Kansas City initially pushed for the second. In the 8th minute, Santiago Hirsig whipped a cross from the right side to the post, but Conway was able to get there just ahead of Lopez.
The Wizards seemed to lose its steam in the 17th minute, when a big collision between New York’s Carlos Mendes and KC’s Jack Jewsbury saw Jewsbury stretchered off. He returned to play on, but was eventually replaced by Michael Harrington 15 minutes later.
Wide swaths of green existed in the middle of the field, but neither team really created many chances. New York’s best opportunity of the first half was a freekick from Venezuelan midfielder Jorge Rojas. His big run-up, however, resulted in nothing. His low, hard 35-yard shot fading to the right, not even producing a save from Wizards keeper Kevin Hartman.
Second Half
The second stanza opened as slowly as the first half ended. Neither team seemed to want to assert itself—New York because it was down and man and unable to conjure up a coherent attacking move; Kansas City due to a simple lack of impetus.
The Red Bulls finally pounded their hooves the first time in the 52nd minute when Alfredo Pacheco’s long diagonal pass found striker Juan Pablo Angel. The Colombian brought the ball down in the KC area and snapped a hard volley. It was New York’s first shot on goal, but in the end Hartman didn’t have to do much to parry it away.
Both teams continued to huff and puff, with the Red Bulls getting the better of the possession, but neither could create a decent chance.
In the 59th minute, New York coach Juan Carlos Osorio inserted Dane Richards, the speedy Jamaican who has often given the side a spark. He replaced Macoumba Kandji, who was rarely seen in his hour of play, failing to have the same positive effect he has had in recent weeks.
Within minutes, Richards made his presence known. His quick first step on the right side drew a foul from Matt Besler. Pacheco then fired a curling freekick that made the crowd gasp, but ultimately sailed over the bar harmlessly.
In the 68th minute, the Wizards’ Aaron Hohlbein nearly iced the game. Lopez swerved an in-swinging freekick from right side that was too far out for Conway to make a play. The ball dropped to Hohlbein, who headed the ball goalward, but he failed to get any force on the shot and Conway calmly parried it out of danger.
The game began to stretch in the final quarter of an hour. In the 80th minute, a fine KC counterattack led by substitute Michael Kraus looked optimistic, but Davy Arnaud—who was invisible most of the evening—was unable to get his cross to the wide-open teammate at the far post. Instead, Pacheco easily headed the ball out of danger.
Then, New York’s best chance of the night was squandered by Angel. The marksman, who scored a league-high 33 goals over the last two seasons, had a perfectly placed freekick, about 28 yards out and just off center. He nailed a similar set piece last season against the Columbus Crew, but this time, Angel skied the shot, much to his own frustration and his teammates’.
Then, in injury time, his frustration reached another level, as a glorious chance went begging. A loose ball flicked on by New York’s Matthew Mbuta, making his first appearance in 2009, dropped kindly into the Kansas City area. Angel got in behind Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad and toe-poked a shot from four yards. But Hartman did well to get off his line and throw himself at the ball to make the save, preserving the three points for Kansas City.
"The whole course of the game changed with that first play," Angel told the press after the game. "I think it was one of those tough calls for the referee. I think we showed a little character. The positive thing we can take from here is we didn’t cut back, we went for the game, we tried to get the equalizer, and it didn’t happen. But I think there were a lot of positives."
The Wizards now jump up into first place in the East, one point ahead of Chicago, but having played one more game. On Sunday, they visit Toronto, always a tough place to play.
“We’re confident, but we’re aware that we need to get better," Conrad said after the game. "We’re not playing our best soccer right now, but we’re getting results, and that’s a good thing. We still have a lot of room for improvement.”
The Red Bulls, who fell to 0-10-6 in last 16 road games, remain near the bottom of the table, and must travel home to face D.C. United on Sunday.
Greg Lalas, Goal.com
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