|
|
Wizards Fight Back To Draw DC 1-1
In the first fixture of the matchday, DC United and Kansas City battled to an exciting 1-1 draw from Community America Ballpark.
May 6, 2009 11:59:07 PM
Kansas City Wizards 1-1 DC United
It was a spirited affair that for the most part, as both teams seemed eager to win, but when 90 minutes had concluded, they couldn’t be separated.
Vintage performances from DC’s Jaime Moreno, and Josh Wolff of the Wizards were what made the match sparkle, but neither star was able to give their teams the final push they so desperately needed.
First Half
It was a slow first stanza between Eastern Conference leaders DC United and fourth-place Kansas City. The home side started out well given their high amount of possession. Creative movement by Herculez Gomez and Claudio Lopez opened a few things up for the Wizards, but nothing significant was made in the early going.
After a slow first twenty minutes, DC United slowly began to get back into the match and in the 22nd minute, they had the first real chance of the match. At the center of it was captain and MLS’s all-time leading scorer Jaime Moreno.
The Bolivian had the ball down the right and played into smoothly into the path of Chris Pontius who took it nicely in stride and from the edge of the box tried to place it low past Wizards keeper Kevin Hartman. He was able to elude the goalkeeper, but not the post, as the ball slammed against the far woodwork and came back into play.
That near-goal seemed to spark the Black-and-Red as they took over control of the ball for the remainder of the half. Only five minutes after Pontius’ shot bounced off the post, DC were able to get on the board to open the scoring.
Some more tricky passing by Jaime Moreno and Santino Quaranta outside the box saw the ball float in to Rodney Wallace who out-muscled his defender to the ball as it rolled slowly towards charging a charging Hartman. A slight touch by Wallace was all that was needed to nudge the ball into the gaping net by the goalie.
The last 15 minutes of the half were controlled by DC who used Moreno and Quaranta to make life hard on the Kansas City back line.
Second Half
The laid back pace that was exhibited in the opening stages of the first was brought back following the break as the teams seemed to rest on their laurels a bit.
Things got started less than ten minutes in when Kansas City were able to work their their only goal. Some nice interchange play down the right side ended with a strong low cross into the box, one that Wizards striker Josh Wolff expertly directed by DC keeper Luis Crayton. Given the speed of the cross and the tip Wolff put on it, Crayton had no chance at making the save.
The Wizards took the energy from the goal, similar to how DC did in the first half, and were in control for the majority of the second period.
A chance was had by Claudio Lopez in the 58th minute as the talented forward took a hard shot on net from the right side. Matt Besler dropped a ball over Lopez’ head, who took one touch and then blasted the ball into the side netting.
Kansas City kept up the pressure as in the 62nd minute, they had another golden opportunity to take the lead. Lopez was again involved as he took the ball down the left flank and placed a lovely cross into the box, one that was destined for the goal-scorer Josh Wolff. The lofted ball eluded the DC defense and landed right on Wolff’s head. Unfortunately for the home crowd, Wolff banged a bouncing header wide of the far post to keep the score level.
30 minutes remained in the match, but neither side could make enough happen that would result in a serious threat to their counterpart’s net. Things got a bit testy and yellow cards were shown, but nothing more came of the match than that, and it ended in a 1-1 draw.
With the tie, DC remains atop the Eastern Conference with 13 points. They travel home and will welcome Toronto FC on Saturday.
Kansas City continue their slow climb up the table as they edged closer to third-place Chicago. Up next for the Wizards is trip to Columbus to take on their Midwest rivals, The Crew, also on Saturday.
Shane Evans, Goal.com
Follow all the MLS action on Goal.com!
Inside Goal.Com
-
EURO 2012: Cristiano Ronaldo, Xavi and Van Persie named in Goal.com's dream team XI
Goal.com put together its dream team for this summer's European Championship in Poland and Ukraine
-
RIGG: Anelka struggling against the current in Shanghai
Nicolas Anelka went against the grain when he moved to Shanghai. Now he's finding that coaching and gelling tactically is like swimming against the tide.
-
ROGERS: Bradley should command a bidding war among Serie A teams
Chievo is currently shopping the American midfielder and several Italian clubs have shown interest.
-
ISOLA: Neymar-led Brazil should be considered the 2014 WC favorite
Neymar was brilliant as Brazil easily handled the United States with early World Cup preparations officially underway.
-
LATHAM: Mexico using summer friendlies to build depth
With World Cup qualifying to begin in June, Mexico is using three U.S.-hosted friendlies to build squad depth.