El capitán del Feyenoord Paul Bosvelt levanta del trofeo de vencedor de la Copa de la UEFA tras derrotar su equipo al Borussia Dortmund por 3 goles a 2. Foto: AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle.

Como en anteriores ediciones 145 equipos tomaban parte en esta competición que vió coronarse por segunda ocasión al Feyenoord de Rotterdam 28 años después de conseguirlo por primera vez. El conjunto holandés aprovechó el hecho de que la final se disputase en su habitual terreno de juego ante un equipo superior para llevarse a sus vitrinas el trofeo. De la mano del Feyenoord, el fútbol holandés se reivindicó en un año en que la selección ‘orange’ no iba a estar presente en la Copa del Mundo de la FIFA a celebrar en Corea del Sur y Japón. El conjunto de Rotterdam apostó por ese típico juego ofensivo holandés que instauró el mítico Ajax de Johann Cruyff. El Feyenoord acabó gracias a este título con la sequía de éxitos a nivel continental del fútbol holandés. El último logro se remontaba al año 1995 cuando el Ajax se adjudicó la Champions.

Sin embargo, en esta edición se volvieron a producirse diversos altercados que empañaron el desarrollo deportivo del torneo. Así, en la ronda de clasificación, el IF Elfsborg sueco venció por 1-3 al JK Trans estonio, pero la UEFA invalido ese marcador y otorgó un 3-0 favorable al equipo estonio a la alineación indebida del jugador del Elfsborg Christian Lundström. En el partido de vuelta de la primera ronda entre el Rapid de Bucarest y el París Saint-Germain, con marcador de empate a cero en la ida, se suspende el partido en el minuto 118 (minuto 28 de la prórroga), con un tanteo de 0-1 para el PSG – tanto de Aloísio en el minuto 93 -, debido a un fallo eléctrico en el barrio de Giuleşti de la capital rumana. Posteriormente, la UEFA otorga un triunfo por 0-3 favorable al equipo galo alegando que el UFC Rapid de Bucarest era responsable del apagón eléctrico, ya que poseía generador eléctrico para paliar dicho fallo en el sistema de iluminación del estadio. En esta misma ronda, la eliminatoria entre FK Anzhi ruso y Rangers FC escocés se disputa en un único partido en terreno neutral por decisión del máximo organismo del fútbol europeo. La situación pre-bélica de la República de Dagestan, en cuya capital Makhachkala, disputa sus partidos el FK Anzhi, obliga a tomar esta decisión. En el estadio Wojska Polskiego de Varsovia se celebra el partido con triunfo por la mínima del Rangers gracias a un gol de Konterman en el minuto 84.

El delantero del Feyenoord Robin van Persie (derecha) controla un balón junto al defensa del PSV Eindhoven Kasper Berglund durante el partido de vuelta de los cuartos de final. Foto: REUTERS/Michael Kooren.

El Feyenoord inició el camino a la final en la tercera ronda del torneo tras acceder como tercer clasificado de su grupo de la Liga de Campeones, tras el Bayern de Munich y el Sparta de Praga. Empezó con un eliminatoria muy sufrida ante el SC Freiburg alemán al cual doblegó en la ida disputada en Rotterdam con un gol del japonés Shinji Ono pero en la vuelta tuvo que recurrir a una gran remontada en la segunda parte del partido. El conjunto alemán se adelantó en el marcador (2-0) pero los goles de van Hooijdonk y Leonardo permitieron pasar de ronda. La cuarta ronda también fue muy sufrida ante el Glasgow Rangers con el que lograron un empate (1-1) en tierras escocesas con nuevo gol de Ono para en la vuelta vencer en Rotterdam por la mínima (3-2) gracias a los tantos de van Hooijdonk (2) y Kalou.

En los cuartos de final, el Feyenoord quedó emparejado con otro club holandés, el PSV Eindhoven, en una eliminatoria que fue muy igualada y dramática. La ida se disputó en Eindhoven y concluyó con empate a un gol, van Hooijdonk adelantó al Feyenoord pero Kežman igualó el partido. En el estadio De Kuip se vivió un partido cargado de emoción y dramatismo ya que el PSV se adelantó con un tanto de van Bommel en el minuto 76. El Feyenoord, eliminado con ese marcador, logró gracias a un gol de van Hooijdonk en el tiempo de descuento forzar una prórroga en la que ningún equipo marcó. La tanda de penaltis se decidió en el penalti que el georgiano del PSV Gakhokidze fue detenido por Zoetebier. Las semifinales como el resto de las eliminatorias del Feyenoord también fueron muy igualadas. A pesar de vencer en la ida al Internazionale FC en Milán gracias a un gol del colombiano Córdoba en propia meta tuvo que sufrir en el partido de vuelta para asegurarse el pase a la final. Dos goles marcados por van Hooijdonk y el danés Tomasson en la primera mitad dieron una tranquilidad que se fue diluyendo con los goles postreros de los interistas Javier Zanetti y Kallon.

El brasileño del Borussia Dortmund Marcio Amoroso, izquierda, pugna por un balón con el jugador del Lille OSC Mile Sterjovski durante el partido de vuelta de la cuarta ronda de la Copa de la UEFA. Foto: REUTERS/ Ina Fassbender.

Por su parte el Borussia Dortmund también inició su participación en la Copa de la UEFA procedente de la Liga de Campeones en la que concluyó tercero en su grupo por detrás de Liverpool y Boavista. En la tercera ronda eliminaba al FC København danés con idéntico marcador tanto la ida como en la vuelta (1-0, goles de Herrlich y Sørensen, respectivamente). En la cuarta ronda eliminó al Lille OSC galo gracias al doble valor de los goles logrados en campo rival en caso de empate. El gol del brasileño Ewerthon en la ida disputada en Francia sirve para pasar de ronda tras empatar sin goles en el encuentro de vuelta. El Borussia se mide en los cuartos de final a uno de los dos equipos revelación en la competición, el Slovan Liberec checo (el otro club es el Hapoel de Tel-Aviv), con el que logra en su estadio un empate sin goles. La eliminatoria se resuelve en Dortmund con un resultado contundente (4-0) gracias a una formidable segunda parte goleadora en la que marcan Amoroso, Koller, Ricken y Éwerthon.

En el último paso previo a la final, el Borussia lanzado a conquistar la Bundesliga demuestra ante el Milan AC su gran faceta goleadora en el primer partido de la semifinal al vencer por un contundente 4-0 gracias a un ‘hat trick’ del brasileño Marcio Amoroso y un gol de Heinrich. En el partido de vuelta disputado en San Siro los milanistas intentan la remontada y comienzan con buen pie con dos goles tempranos (Filippo Inzaghi y el rumano Cosmin Contra) pero el Borussia sabe conservar su renta y pierde el partido por 3 goles a uno.

Paul Bosvelt, izquierda, del Feyenoord y Lars Ricken, derecha, del Borussia Dortmund pugnan por un balón durante la final de la Copa de la UEFA. REUTERS/Michael Kooren

El Feyenoord conquistó la Copa de la UEFA ante el Borussia de Dortmund en la final disputada en su propio estadio de Rotterdam. El partido comenzó muy igualado aunque era el Borussia el equipo que puso más calidad y peligro en su juego de cara al arco rival. Sin embargo, el partido se rompió en el minuto 32, cuando un jugador de la experiencia de Jürgen Kohler, campeón del mundo en 1990 y que colgaba las botas en este partido, perdía infantilmente un balón ante el danés Tomasson y le obligó a cometer penalti. La consiguiente roja directa y la transformación de la pena máxima por parte de Van Hooijdonk puso el partido muy cuesta arriba para los de Dortmund. Sólo en esos momentos el Feyenoord fue mejor, y el propio Van Hooijdonk hizo el 2-0 en el lanzamiento de una falta desde la frontal, superando por alto la barrera alemana.

En la segunda mitad, el Borussia fiel al estilo germano, no se rindió y se lanzó a un ataque desesperado buscando como referencia ofensiva al gigante delantero checo Jan Koller (2,02 m). Un dudoso penalti de Paauwe sobre Marcio Amoroso que el propio brasileño se encargó de transformar abrió el partido. Quedaba casi todo el segundo tiempo y parecía que el Borussia podía remontar, ya que el Feyenoord no estaba demostrando ser superior. Sin embargo, un nuevo error de la defensa alemana permitió a Tomasson plantarse solo ante Lehmann y batirle para lograr el 3-1. Pese a que Koller lograría acortar diferencias ocho minutos más tarde con un gran gol de volea, el equipo holandés hizo valer su superioridad numérica sobre el campo y acabó haciéndose con la victoria.

SC Feyenoord – BV Borussia 09 (3-2)
Miércoles, 8/05/2002 (20:45 h).
Stadion Feijenoord / De Kuip (Rotterdam): 48.500 espectadores.
Árbitro: Vítor Manuel Melo Pereira (POR). Amonestó a Rząsa (23′), Paauwe (46′), Van Persie (63′) y De Haan (85′) por el SC Feyenoord / Amoroso (49′), Dedê (52′) y Rosický (66′) por el BV Borussia. Expulsó a Kohler (min. 32).
Goles: 1-0 Van Hooijdonk [pen.] 33′; 2-0 Van Hooijdonk 40′; 2-1 Amoroso [pen.] 47′; 3-1 Tomasson 50′; 3-2 Koller 58′.

SC Feyenoord: Edwin Zoetebier; Christian Gyan, Patrick Paauwe, Kees van Wonderen, Tomasz Rząsa; Bonaventure Kalou (Johan Elmander 76′), Shinji Ono (Ferry de Haan 85′), Paul Bosvelt (capitán), Robin van Persie (Leonardo Santiago 63′); Jon Dahl Tomasson, Pierre van Hooijdonk. Entrenador: Bert van Marwijk.

BV Borussia 09: Jens Lehmann; Christian Wörns, Jürgen Kohler, Leonardo de Deus ‘Dedê’; Stefan Reuter (capitán), Lars Ricken (Jörg Heinrich 70′), Evanílson Aparecido, Tomáš Rosický; Éwerthon de Souza (Otto Addo 61′), Márcio Amoroso, Jan Koller. Entrenador: Matthias Sammer.

El capitán del FC Porto, Jorge Costa (centro) muestra jubiloso el trofeo de vencedores de la Copa de UEFA tras la final disputada en Sevilla. Foto: AP Photo.

En la edición del año 2003 el FC Porto entrenado por Jose Mourinho llevó por primera vez la Copa de la UEFA hasta el territorio luso, el único trofeo europeo que restaba por ser ganado por un club portugués. El club de Oporto, que en esa temporada no disputó la Liga de Campeones, partía como uno de los favoritos a adjudicarse el título gracias a su buen juego liderado por el centrocampista Deco y por el delantero brasileño Derlei. Los dragoes llegaban a la cima del fútbol continental dieciséis años después de conquistar la Copa de Europa y su tren no se iba a detenerse ya que un año más tarde lograban hacerse con la Liga de Campeones. Su rival en la final de Sevilla, el Celtic de Glasgow, resurgió de sus cenizas y revivió grandes noches de gloria por entonces algo olvidadas en Escocia. Liderados por su delantero sueco Henrik Larsson lograron colarse en la lucha por el título tras llegar procedente de la Liga de Campeones, en la que sorprendentemente perdió en la tercera ronda previa eliminado por el Basilea suizo.

El Oporto inició su andadura por la Copa de la UEFA enfrentándose en la primera ronda al KP Polonia, equipo al que endosó un marcador contundente (6-0) en la ida disputada en Das Antas con goles de Jankauskas (2), Hélder Postiga (2), Derlei y Maniche; para posteriormentre perder en la localidad polaca de Plok en un intrascendente partido (2-0). En la siguiente ronda eliminó sin problemas al Austria de Viena al que venció en la capital austriaca por la mínima gracias a un gol de Derlei y derrotó por 2-0 en la vuelta con tantos de Derlei y Hélder Postiga.

El jugador del FC Porto Deco (izquierdo) controla el balón ante la presencia del jugador del Panathinaikos Jan Munk Michaelsen durante el partido de vuelta de los cuartos de final de la Copa de la UEFA. Foto: REUTERS/Yiorgos Karahalis.

En la tercera ronda eliminó al RC Lens al que ganó en Das Antas por 3-0 con goles de Hélder Postiga (2) y Jankauskas para perder posteriormente en la vuelta (1-0) con un gol del camerunés Song. En la cuarta ronda aprovechó sus grandes actuaciones en su estadio de Das Antas para dejar la eliminatoria encarrilada en el partido de ida. El Denizlispor turco cayó por un claro marcador de 6 goles a 1, logrando los goles de los dragoes Capucho, Derlei, Ricardo Costa, Jankauskas, Deco y Alenichev. El trámite de la vuelta se salda con un empate (2-2) gracias a los tantos de Derlei y Clayton. Los cuartos de final deparan al Oporto la eliminatoria más sufrida en su trayectoria hacia la final ya que caen en su feudo ante el Panathinaikos griego (0-1) debido a un gol marcado por el nigeriano nacionalizado polaco Olisadebe. El equipo de Mourinho tiene que acudir al ‘infierno griego’ del vetusto estadio ateniense Apóstolos Nikolaïdis a dar la vuelta la eliminatoria. Y lo consigue gracias de nuevo al brasileño Derlei quien iguala la eliminatoria en el minuto 16 por lo que el partido se encamina hacia la prórroga. En el minuto 103, marca nuevamente Derlei y logra así el billete para las semifinales. En el sorteo consigue evitar medirse al otro club de Oporto, el Boavista, y queda emparejado con el Lazio romano al que supere con claridad en Das Antas (4-1). A pesar de que el argentino Claudio López adelantaba al Lazio en el minuto 6, el Oporto daba la vuelta al marcador al marcar cuatro goles obra de Derlei (2), Maniche y Hélder Postiga. En el partido de vuelta, el estadio Olímpico romano contempla un empate sin goles que es más que suficiente para que los portugueses alcancen la finalísima. Incluso, Vítor Baia detuvo en la segunda parte un penalti lanzado por el ‘Piojo’ López.

El Celtic de Glasgow inició su periplo en la UEFA venciendo con rotundidad al FK Sūduva lituano al que eliminó con un marcador global de 10 goles a 1 (8-1 en la ida de Glasgow y 0-2 en el partido de vuelta). En la segunda ronda se topó con un rival de identidad y además británico, el Blackburn Rovers, en una eliminatoria en la que los goles de Larsson fueron claves. El delantero sueco anotó el gol de la victoria en la ida disputada en Celtic Park cuando restaban cinco minutos para la conclusión del partido, y en el encuentro de vuelta, cuando el Blackburn ponía cerco a la meta escocesa abrió el marcador con un gol en el minuto 16 que dejaba la eliminatoria encarrilada. Posteriormente, Chris Sutton colocaría en el minuto 67 el definitivo 0-2 y sentenciaba a los Rovers, club en el que militó cinco temporadas (1994-99). La tercera ronda fue muy igualada y la regla del valor doble de los goles conseguidos fuera de casa en caso de empate benefició al Celtic ante el Real Club Celta de Vigo. En Glasgow, el Celtic se llevaba el partido gracias un tanto de Larsson en el minuto 52 pero en la vuelta se obra el milagro ante un gran Celta. Jesuli adelanta a los vigueses pero Hartson empata el partido y coloca la eliminatoria favorable. Un nuevo gol del sudafricano McCarthy para el Celta puso a los bhoys contra las cuerdas pero supieron acceder a la siguiente ronda.

El defensa del Stuttgart Timo Wenzel, izquierda, intenta de evitar el control del balón por el jugador del Celtic Chris Sutton, derecha, durante el partido de vuelta de la cuarta ronda de la Copa de la UEFA. Foto: AP Photo/Daniel Maurer.

En la cuarta ronda fue emparejado con el VfB Stuttgart alemán en una eliminatoria que fue muy abierta. En el primer partido, en Celtic Park, un gol de Kevin Kuranyi adelantaba a los germanos a la media hora de juego pero la reacción escocesa no tardó y acabó goleando al cuadro alemán (3-1) con goles obra de Lambert, Maloney y Petrov. En el partido de vuelta, y en unos magníficos primeros minutos del Celtic, la eliminatoria queda desnivelada a su favor gracias los tantos de Thompson y Sutton durante los primeros quince minutos del encuentro. La reacción alemana llega en la segunda mitad pero no peligra en ningún momento la clasificación. Los goles de Tiffert, Hleb y Mutzer dan el triunfo al Stuttgart (3-2). Los cuartos de final deparan una eliminatoria de ‘alto voltaje’ frente a un Liverpool que procedía de la Liga de Campeones. En Glasgow, la eliminatoria termina en tablas gracias a dos goles en el primer cuarto de hora del partido. El sueco Larsson adelantó al Celtic en el minuto 2 y Heskey igualaba en el 17. En el partido de vuelta, los escoceses se llevan el partido (0-2) con un juego práctico y un ‘gol psicológico’ de Thompson antes de llegar al descanso. Hartson, en el minuto 82, firmaría el 0-2 final. El último obstáculo antes de la final sería el Boavista de Oporto, sorprendente equipo revelación en la competición, y que puso muy difíciles las cosas al Celtic. Sacó un provechoso empate (1-1) en la ida celebrada en Glasgow, con tanto inicial del holandés Valgaeren en propia puerta para los lusos pero al minuto siguiente Larsson lograba el empate. Un resultado que condenaba al Celtic para la vuelta. El Boavista mantuvo su portería a cero e incluso Elpidio Silva pudo dar el billete para la final pero falló un gol con la portería vacía. Sin embargo, a diez minutos para la conclusión, Larsson fue infalible y batió a Ricardo para meter al Celtic en una final europea 33 años después de disputar la anterior.

El defensa del FC Porto Paulo Ferreira, detrás, y el delantero del Celtic FC Henrik Larsson, delante, pugnan por un balón durante la final de la Copa de la UEFA disputada en Sevilla. Foto: AP Photo.

El Oporto logró su primera Copa de la UEFA tras vencer al Celtic de Glasgow en una final que se decidió con un ‘gol de plata’ en la prórroga. Los primeros compases del partido fueron de tanteo entre ambos equipos siempre fieles a sus estílos futbolísticos. El Oporto buscaba controlar y tocar el balón mientras que el Celtic presionaba y buscaba los balones en profundidad en busca de su estrella Henrik Larsson. El encuentro comenzó a romperse hacia la media hora de juego cuando el equipo portugués se lanzó descaradamente al ataque gracias a la labor del lateral Nuno Valente y del brasileño nacionalizado portugués Deco. Fue este centrocampista el primero en poner en apuros al portero escocés gracias a un disparo desde la derecha. Llegado el tiempo de prolongación de la primera parte, Deco sirvió a Alenichev un gran pase que dejó al jugador ruso sólo ante el meta Douglas pero su disparon fue repelido. El rechace fue aprovechado por Derlei para subir el primer tanto al marcador instantes antes de llegar al descanso.

En el comienzo de los segundos 45 minutos, el partido contempló un festival de oportunidades y de goles en ambas porterías. Larsson igualaba el marcador gracias a un cabezazo ajustado en el segundo palo pero siete minutos después Alenichev sí que aprovechaba otro pase magistral de Deco para poner en ventaja al Oporto. Pero el partido volvería a igualarse en un remate de cabeza de Larsson a la salida de un córner. El calor y el cansancio comenzaron a hacer mella en ambos equipos según transcurrían los minutos por lo que ambos equipos determinaron no arriesgar en los instantes finales de la segunda parte. El partido entraba en una prórroga que muy pronto se  puso cuesta arriba para los intereses del Celtic. El guineano Baldé vió su segunda tarjeta amarilla tras una entrada durísima sobre Derlei y dejó a su equipo en inferioridad numérica. El dominio del Oporto se hizo más evidente a partir de ese instante, aunque la escasez de ideas en la creación de juego portuguesa evitó males mayores para el Celtic. La entrada en el campos de Marco Ferreira fue crucial para la resolución final del partido. Un disparo de este jugador fue rechazado por Douglas y el balón cae a las botas del goleador Derlei, quien tras regatear a un defensa fusila la meta escocesa. Era el primer ‘gol de plata’ en la historia de las competiciones europeas, pero a diferencia del ‘gol de oro’, el encuentro no se terminaba en ese instante y había que esperar a que uno de los contendientes llegasen a la conclusión de una de las partes de la prórroga por delante del marcador. Quedaban cinco minutos y el Celtic intentó a la heroica empatar el encuentro pero el Oporto supo frenar cualquier reacción.

FC Porto – Celtic FC (3-2)
Miércoles, 21/05/2003 (20:45 h).
Estadio Olímpico de La Cartuja (Sevilla): 50.000 espectadores.
Árbitro: Ľuboš Micheľ (SVK). Amonestó a Nuno Valente (63′ y 120′+), Maniche (120′) y Ferreira (120′) por el FC Porto / a Valgaeren (8′), Lennon (59′), Baldé (80′ y 96′) y Petrov (102′) por el Celtic FC. Expulsó a Baldé (min. 96) y a Nuno Valente (min. 120+) por doble amonestación.
Goles: 1-0 Derlei 45+’; 1-1 Larsson 47′; 2-1 Alenichev 54′; 2-2 Larsson 57′; 3-2 Derlei (gol de plata) 115′.

FC Porto: Vítor Baía; Paulo Ferreira, Jorge Costa (capitán) (Pedro Emanuel dos Santos 71′), Ricardo Carvalho, Nuno Valente; Francisco Costa ‘Costinha’ (Ricardo Costa 9′), Dmitrij Alenichev, Nuno Oliveira ‘Maniche’, Anderson de Souza ‘Deco’; Vanderlei Fernandes ‘Derlei’, Nuno Gonçalves ‘Capucho’ (Marco Ferreira 98′). Entrenador: José Mourinho.

Celtic FC: Rab Douglas; Johan Mjällby, Bobo Baldé, Joos Valgaeren (Ulrik Laursen 64′); Didier Agathe, Neil Lennon, Paul Lambert (capitán) (Jackie McNamara 76′), Alan Thompson, Stilijan Petrov (Shaun Maloney 105′); Chris Sutton, Henrik Larsson. Entrenador: Martin O’Neill.

Kei Kamara interview 09/17/09

Kansas City Wizards 3-2 FC Dallas: Highlights video and goals

Cunningham scores again against Wizards

MLS 2009 Week 27 Recap

Wizards’ win keeps them in the hunt

Monday MLS Breakdown: Spoiling for a Playoff Fight

AG

Santiago Hirsig, Josh Wolff, Jimmy Conrad Score for Wizards in Front of Sellout Crowd at CommunityAmerica Ballpark; Wolff Now Tied for 4th in MLS with Career-High 10 Goals

MLS Game #25
Saturday, September 19, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. (CT)
English TV: Metro Sports
Spanish TV: Time Warner Cable Channel 5
Spanish Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
CommunityAmerica Ballpark; Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 73 and cloudy
Attendance: 10,385 – SOLD OUT

Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
Kansas City Wizards (8-11-6, 30 pts)                              1              2              3
FC Dallas (7-12-6, 27 pts)                                                 1              1              2

Scoring Summary:
KC – Santiago Hirsig 1 (Claudio Lopez 6) 9
DAL – Dax McCarty 3 (unassisted) 44
DAL – Jeff Cunningham 13 (David Ferreira 5) 54
KC – Josh Wolff 10 (Zoltan 1, Claudio Lopez 7) 77
KC – Jimmy Conrad 1 (unassisted) 80

(September 19, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards (8-11-6, 30 pts) came from behind to defeat FC Dallas (7-12-6, 27 pts) 3-2 Saturday night in front of a sold-out CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kansas City has now won three of four matches and is making a push for the MLS Cup playoffs. Striker Josh Wolff recorded his 10th goal of the season, moving him into a tie for 4th in MLS and matching a career high set three times previously. Midfielder Santiago Hirsig opened the scoring for the Wizards, netting his first MLS goal in the 9th minute. Defender Jimmy Conrad scored his first goal of the season, heading home the game-winner in the 80th minute.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the 9th minute after a corner kick from Claudio Lopez. Lopez earned the corner himself, forcing FC Dallas goalkeeper Dario Sala to push a long-range effort over the bar. Lopez then bent a perfectly placed corner to Hirsig at the back post. The Argentine made no mistake, heading home a powerful shot for his first goal in a Wizards uniform.

FC Dallas fought back to tie just before halftime when midfielder Dax McCarty intercepted a pass and scored with a low, left-footed shot from beyond the top of the penalty area. FCD then took a lead in the 54th minute, as David Ferreira picked off a pass and set up Jeff Cunningham for an easy tap-in from close range for Cunningham’s 13th goal of the season.

Kansas City then came from behind to win with a pair of late goals three minutes apart to earn the full three points. The Wizards pulled even through Josh Wolff after another corner kick. Lopez sent a ball to just-entered substitute Zoltan past the back post, and Zoltan cracked a shot across the face of goal. Wolff was there to tap-home the ball from close range for his 10th goal of the season. Wolff tied a career high with the goal, and Zoltan recorded his first assist in a Wizards uniform.

Kansas City then found the winner in the 80th minute after a hustle play from Jimmy Conrad. A cross into the area intended for Conrad was deflected toward his own goal by FCD defender George John. Sala did well to block the would-be own goal, but Conrad followed up and hit a diving-header goal from inside the six-yard area for his first goal of the season.

By scoring three goals, the Wizards activated the Planet Sub Hat Trick Special. Valid tomorrow only at any Kansas City-area Planet Sub locations, any fan can ask for the special and receive a Planet Sub Sandwich, a bag of chips and a cookie for just $3. The Wizards return to action next Saturday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark when the Colorado Rapids come to town for a 7:30 p.m. CT match-up.

Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Jonathan Leathers, Jimmy Conrad©, Matt Besler, Michael Harrington; Herculez Gomez (Kei Kamara 46), Santiago Hirsig, Kurt Morsink (Graham Zusi 55), Claudio Lopez; Josh Wolff, Davy Arnaud (Zoltan 77)

Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Aaron Hohlbein, Lance Watson, Chance Myers

FC Dallas Line-Up: Dario Sala; Ugo Ihemelu, George John, Pablo Richetti, Jair Benitez; Atiba Harris, David Ferreira, Dax McCarty, Dave van den Bergh (Heath Pearce 62), Marvin Chavez (Daniel Hernandez 46), Jeff Cunningham

Substitutes not used: Ray Burse, Eric Avila, Bruno Guarda, Andre Rocha, Daniel Torres

Misconduct:
DAL – Marvin Chavez (caution; Reckless Foul) 13
KC – Kurt Morsink (caution; Reckless Foul) 19
DAL – Dax McCarty (caution; Shirt Removal) 45
DAL – Pablo Ricchetti (caution; Dissent) 89
KC – Claudio Lopez (caution; Dissent) 93+

KC                          FCD
Total Shots:                                        12                           12
Shots on Goal:                                  7                              5
Saves:                                                   3                              4
Fouls Committed:                             13                           9
Offside:                                                3                              2
Corner Kicks:                                     5                              6

Referee: Jeff Gontarek
Assistants: Nate Clement, Peter Manikowski
4th official: Chris Penso

Notables:

·         Kansas City is now 18-16-8 all-time against FC Dallas, including a 10-6-5 record at home.
·         The Wizards went 1-1-0 this season against FC Dallas.
·         Kansas City has won three of its last four games.
·         Kansas City recorded its 9th sellout of the season.
·         Peter Vermes is now 3-4-0 as the Interim Head Coach of the Wizards.
·         Midfielder Santiago Hirsig scored his 1st MLS goal Saturday to open the scoring.
·         Claudio Lopez recorded his 6th assist on the play, later registering assist number 7.
·         After Saturday’s matches, Lopez was tied for 6th in MLS in assists.
·         Lopez now has 14 assists for the Wizards after recording seven last season.
·         Striker Josh Wolff scored his 10th goal of the season, redirecting a ball from Zoltan after a Lopez corner kick.
·         Zoltan’s assist was his first in a Wizards uniform in his 5th game with Kansas City.
·         After Saturday’s games, Wolff is tied for 4th in MLS in goals this season.
·         Wolff’s 10 goals equal a career high, set three times previously.
·         He scored 10 goals in 1999 with the Chicago Fire and in 2004 and 2005 with the Wizards.
·         Wolff has now scored 72 goals in his career, 40 of them for Kansas City.
·         Wolff is alone in 3nd place for goals in a Wizards uniform, breaking a tie with Chris Klein.
·         Wolff’s 72 career goals put him alone in 14th in League history.
·         Wolff ranks 9th all-time among active players, one behind Edson Buddle who also scored Saturday.
·         Defender Jimmy Conrad scored the final goal, heading home a loose ball after FCD goalkeeper Dario Sala narrowly saved what would have been an own goal off the head of George John.
·         The strike was Conrad’s first goal of the season and the 18th of his career.
·         Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has now started 107 straight games and hasn’t missed any action in the last 9630 minutes his teams have played.
·         His minutes-played streak constitutes an MLS record.
·         Aug. 1, Hartman became just the 2nd player in MLS history to start 100 straight matches.
·         Hartman made three saves Saturday, increasing his career MLS record in saves to 1216.
·         Hartman is the first goalkeeper in MLS history to reach the 1200-save plateau.
·         Hartman also leads MLS in career wins (146).
·         Hartman is the only player to start all 25 games this season for the Wizards and the only player to play every minute of every game this year.
·         Hartman played in his 328th career game Saturday.
·         He ranks 2nd in League history, trailing only New England’s Steve Ralston (376).
·         Newly acquired forward Kei Kamara made his first appearance for the Wizards, playing the final 45 minutes and generating multiple chances in the second half.
·         Kansas City was without goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, midfielder Kevin Souter and forward Adam Cristman through injury.
·         Jack Jewsbury missed the game through yellow-card suspension.
·         With three goals, the Wizards
·         The USA Bid Committee Inc. announced August 4 that Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium are one of 27 cities and 32 venues, down from 70 initial stadia in 52 cities, on the short list to be included in the United States’ bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in either 2018 or 2022.
·         The Kansas City / USA Host City Bid Committee is Co-Chaired by Kansas City Chiefs Chairman of the Board Clark Hunt and Cerner Corporation’s Chairman and CEO and Kansas City Wizards co-owner Neal Patterson.
·         With the three goals scored Saturday, the Wizards activated the Planet Sub “Hat Trick Special” for fans. Any Wizards fan will receive a Planet Sub Sandwich, chips and a cookie for $3 at area Planet Sub locations Sunday simply by mentioning the “Hat Trick Special.”
·         By scoring three goals and winning, the Wizards won all fans in section 107 at CAB 10 free boneless wings at KC-area Hooter’s restaurants.
·         After the game, hundreds of area Scouts camped out on the field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Quotes:

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH PETER VERMES
On scoring two goals from corner kicks
“One of the places where we felt we could put pressure on them was set pieces, and getting that corner kick goal was something we really thought we could take advantage of. Where it got difficult was we didn’t put the hammer on after that. We needed to go at them because they were ripe for the picking at that point. But give credit to them, they found themselves back in the game when they tied it just before halftime. The two goals they scored were mistakes on our part, which is not a good thing, but we did a very good job outside of that by not giving them a lot.”

On second-half strategy
“We went into the second half and the big thing for us was that we wanted more diagonal balls because we thought that we could expose them wide, because they play so many guys tight in the middle. So then we started getting some playable balls. You could see Davy Arnaud and other guys were getting in, and it gave us a good rhythm, and finally we got that goal to tie the game. Once we got that you could really see the tide turn.”

On Jimmy Conrad’s goal
“I am happy for Jimmy [Conrad]. He struggled with two plays today, and he made up for it in regards to getting that goal. Sometimes the game bites you and then sometimes you get a chance to bite back, which he did.”

On Kansas City’s three subs: Kei Kamara, Zoltan and Graham Zusi
“Kei has a presence physically that puts defenses under major pressure, and then Zoltan is an extremely smart soccer player. You can see when balls get played out to him that very rarely does he lose the ball through the dribble or the pass. He winds up finding guys. Those two are a big help to our team. We will continue to evaluate things as we move forward, but they were great subs into the game. Additionally Graham Zusi did a great job in the middle of the field today. He kept possession for us, and he is a really smart soccer player.”

On Josh Wolff
He [Josh Wolff] has worked his butt off every game that we have played. He has never taken a play off, and it is really evident tonight. His type of attitude and management of the game is very important for us.

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On his goal
“It was a free kick at midfield. Claudio had it. Most of the time I take those, but he wanted it so I went out. I thought he was going to play it to me but he sent it to Harrington so I kept running. Fortunately it found me and I army crawled it into the goal.”

On his defensive performance
“We had to win this game for our season to continue. I had the weight of the world on my shoulders there for a while. There were no defensive mistakes tonight it was just two mistakes by me, which led to two goals. It hurts, but you move on. I am not pleased with my performance overall, but it was nice to get that back with a goal late.”

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD JOSH WOLFF
On the game
“Overall it was a scrappy game out there, but we were able to pull it out because we fought hard. We were able to get some goals, which is nice for our fans here at home.”

On the substitutions
“I think the reserves came in and did a great job of coming in and making plays and helping us get some goals. They did extremely well.”

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD KEI KAMARA
On his first appearance for the Wizards
“What I bring to the game is my speed and my physical game. Coach told me to make a difference every time I step on the field, which is what I try to do. It was great to get the win tonight in front of our fans.

On being new to the team
“Soccer is the same language everywhere you go. It will not take me long to get acclimated with the team. I have already trained with the team for three days and then the game tonight so going into this week of more training, I should be ready to go next weekend. Soccer is one language.”

Thursday After Stats

Wolff Named Player of Week

Emilio’s goal lifts United to 1-0 win over Wizards

DC United Graciously Accepts Wizards Gift of Three Points

United-Wizards thoughts 3) Take a Chance, go to jail. Second-half sub Chance Myers lasted 41 minutes, picking up two yellows in five minutes. Not awesome for just his third …

Matchnight #25: United-Wizard Might I ask what exactly Chance Myers was complaining about? That could have been a straight red for the tackle above the knee with the swing of the leg. …

Kansas City Wizards Fall to D.C. United 1-0 Wednesday

First-Half Goal from Emilio Sinks Wizards

MLS Game #23
Wednesday, September 9, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. (CT)
English TV: Metro Sports
Spanish TV: Time Warner Cable Channel 5
Spanish Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
RFK Stadium; Washington, D.C.
Weather: 74 and cloudy
Attendance: 8,033

Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
D.C. United (8-5-12, 36 pts)                                              1              0              1
Kansas City Wizards (6-11-6, 24 pts)                              0              0              0

Scoring Summary:

(September 9, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards (6-11-6, 24 pts) dropped a 1-0 decision to D.C. United (8-5-12, 36 pts) Saturday night at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The match marked the second game of a three-game road trip to the East Coast that will conclude Saturday with a game against the New York Red Bulls at 6:30 p.m. CT. Kansas City finished with a 16-12 advantage in shots but could not find the back of the net.

The Wizards nearly scored just two minutes into the game, when midfielder Jack Jewsbury played winger Claudio Lopez in behind the D.C. United defense with a long ball from the middle of the park. Lopez carried the ball into the area and played a cross along the ground for striker Davy Arnaud near the penalty spot. Arnaud hit a shot on the first touch, but D.C. United goalkeeper Josh Wicks held the opportunity for his first save of the match.

In the 14th minute, Lopez almost put the Wizards ahead when a free kick from the right winger was palmed just over the bar by Wicks after Lopez struck the bending shot well. D.C. United then headed a shot off the cross bar in the 24th minute, and Kansas City defender Jonathan Leathers had a shot saved by Wicks after a long run up the right wing.

Kansas City then generated multiple chances in the 36th and 37th minutes, but could not find the back of the net. Herculez Gomez unleashed a left-footed rocket that appeared destined for the top corner, but defender Bryan Namoff got a touch to the shot to push it off the bar and over. On the ensuing corner kick, the Wizards generated four shots but could not score. First, a Jimmy Conrad header went off the cross bar, then Conrad headed the ball again, which was saved by Wicks. The ball careened out to Jewsbury at the top of the penalty area, and his shot toward goal was chested down by a D.C. United defender. The ball popped free to striker Josh Wolff, who attempted a bicycle kick that was cleared off the line by United.

United promptly answered with a goal in the 39th minute after a corner kick of their own. The ball was first played short before Bryan Namoff met service into the box with a glancing header toward the back post. There, Chris Pontius dove to head the ball toward frame, but the shot struck the left upright and bounced toward the middle of the field. Brazilian striker Luciano Emilio was there to slam the loose ball into the open net from inside the six-yard area for a 1-0 lead D.C. would not relinquish.

Kansas City will be without a pair of players as the road trip concludes in New York. Rookie defender Matt Besler was shown his 5th caution of the season and will miss Saturday’s game. Second-year midfielder Chance Myers will also miss out after receiving a pair of second-half yellow cards, leading to the first ejection of his professional career.

Soccer United Marketing (SUM), Saral, the Kansas City Wizards (Major League Soccer) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), announced August 26 that Mexico’s most popular teams, Club América and Club Deportivo Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (Chivas), will add a new chapter to their storied rivalry when the clubs meet for another edition of Mexico’s “Clásico Nacional,” or national derby, on Wednesday, September 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game, which will celebrate Mexican Independence Day, will be presented by Bud Light.

Tickets are now on sale to the general public. Prices start at $25, and seats can be purchased by visiting the Kansas City Wizards front office at 8900 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206 or by calling the Wizards toll free at 1-877-828-7222 or 1-913-387-3400.

The Wizards conclude the three-game trip with a game against the New York Red Bulls Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT. The match  will be shown live on Metro Sports (English) and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish).  The Wizards will not return to Kansas City until after the New York match. Media requiring phone interviews with Wizards players should contact Kyle Rogers in the Kansas City Wizards Media Relations Department at (913) 568-2213 or krogers@kcwizards.com.

Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Jonathan Leathers, Jimmy Conrad©, Matt Besler, Michael Harrington; Herculez Gomez (Chance Myers 46), Santiago Hirsig (Graham Zusi 78), Jack Jewsbury, Claudio Lopez; Josh Wolff, Davy Arnaud (Zoltan 69)

Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Kurt Morsink, Aaron Hohlbein, Lance Watson

D.C. United Line-Up: Josh Wicks; Bryan Namoff, Julius James (Avery John 62), Devon McTavish, Anthony Wallace; Santino Quaranta (Fred 85), Clyde Simms, Christian Gomez (Ben Olsen 46), Chris Pontius; Luciano Emilio, Jaime Moreno©

Substitutes not used: Milos Kocic (GK), Andrew Jacobson, Tiyiselani Shipalene, Danny Szetela

Misconduct:
DC — Christian Gomez (caution; Reckless Foul) 27
KC — Michael Harrington (caution; Reckless Foul) 69
KC — Matt Besler (caution; Reckless Foul) 74
KC — Chance Myers (caution; Reckless Tackle) 81
DC — Avery John (caution; Reckless Tackle) 84
KC — Chance Myers (ejection; Second Caution) 86
DC — Josh Wicks (caution; Delaying a Restart) 93+

DC                          KC
Total Shots:                                        12                           16
Shots on Goal:                                  5                              5
Saves:                                                   5                              4
Fouls Committed:                             13                           15
Offside:                                                1                              2
Corner Kicks:                                     7                              7

Referee: Terry Vaughn
Assistants: Adam Wienckowski, Cyril Madukanya
4th official: Niko Bratsis

Notables:

·         Kansas City is now 13-17-8 all-time against D.C. United, including a 4-11-4 record on the road.
·         The Wizards are 0-1-1 this season against United.
·         The two teams wrap up the season series on the final day of the regular season when the Wizards host D.C. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark October 24.
·         Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has now started 105 straight games and hasn’t missed any action in the last 9250 minutes his teams have played.
·         His minutes-played streak constitutes an MLS record.
·         Aug. 1, Hartman became just the 2nd player in MLS history to start 100 straight matches.
·         Hartman made three four Saturday, increasing his career MLS record in saves to 1208.
·         Hartman is the first goalkeeper in MLS history to reach the 1200-save plateau.
·         Hartman is the only player to start all 23 games this season for the Wizards and the only player to play every minute of every game this year.
·         Hartman played in his 326th career game Saturday.
·         He ranks 2nd in League history, trailing only New England’s Steve Ralston (375).
·         Midfielder Chance Myers received his first career red card Wednesday for receiving two cautions.
·         He will miss the road trip finale Saturday at New York due to suspension.
·         Defender Matt Besler received his 5th caution of the season Wednesday and will also miss the  New York game on suspension.
·         Kansas City was without goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, midfielder Kevin Souter and forward Adam Cristman through injury.
·         The USA Bid Committee Inc. announced August 4 that Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium are one of 27 cities and 32 venues, down from 70 initial stadia in 52 cities, on the short list to be included in the United States’ bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in either 2018 or 2022.
·         The Kansas City / USA Host City Bid Committee is Co-Chaired by Kansas City Chiefs Chairman of the Board Clark Hunt and Cerner Corporation’s Chairman and CEO and Kansas City Wizards co-owner Neal Patterson.
·         Soccer United Marketing (SUM), Saral, the Kansas City Wizards (Major League Soccer) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), announced last Wednesday that Mexico’s most popular teams, Club América and Club Deportivo Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (Chivas), will add a new chapter to their storied rivalry when the clubs meet for another edition of Mexico’s “Clásico Nacional,” or national derby, on Wednesday, September 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game, which will celebrate Mexican Independence Day, will be presented by Bud Light.
·         Tickets are now on sale. Prices start at $25, and seats can be purchased by visiting the Kansas City Wizards front office at 8900 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206 or by calling the Wizards toll free at 1-877-828-7222 or 1-913-387-3400.

Quotes:

KANSAS CITY HEAD COACH PETER VERMES
On the game
Definitely in the first half we drove the game being away from home, which is a really good thing. That was a real positive for us. And then the amount of chances we created, not just the amount but the quality of chances we created were excellent so from that perspective, very positive. The negative is the fact that we should have put one of those away and that would have taken some pressure of us and maybe that would have opened them up a little more. But they did a good job sort of locking down and in the second half especially, bringing Ben [Olsen] on – I think Ben is a guy who manages the game extremely well. So it kind of put the game, I don’t want to say out of reach for us, but it changed a little bit sort of the momentum went their way a little bit the first couple of minutes in the second half.

KANSAS CITY MIDFIELDER DAVY ARNAUD
On the game
Overall, I thought we played well. We came in and played with a lot of heart. We created a ton of chances. On another night, I think the way we played, I think we walk out of here, not just with a tie, but a win. But I think the way we played and the chances we created, I don’t think we deserved to lose. It’s frustrating.

On whether there’s frustration
I don’t think we were frustrated with each other. It gets frustrating when you create some of those chances and you don’t score but I don’t think at any point we stopped pushing and putting ourselves in spots to get goals. We continued to push until the end of the game and I don’t think we fully got what we deserved out of it.

KANSAS CITY MIDFIELDER GRAHAM ZUSI
On his substitution
Well at that point of the game you’re just trying to score one for your team so I was trying to push the game and get the tempo up a little bit. And just provide a pop off the bench.

On playing in front of friends and family
It felt good having gone to Maryland. A couple of the Maryland guys came by after the game so it was nice to have their support.

AG

Slideshow photography tells the story of Revolution’s 4-2 loss to Kansas City Wizards

Dallas, New England Players Dominate GOW Ballot

We Scored!!!

Major League Soccer Week 25 Power Rankings: Rapids and Wizards move up

Sunday After Stats

Kansas City Wizards beat the New England Revolution 4-2

Wizards snap streak

New England Revolution v Kansas City Wizards Highlights

Kansas City finds the goal!

Kansas City Wizards Roll Past New England Revolution 4-2 Behind Fantastic Effort From Striker Josh Wolff
Wolff Scores 2, Creates 2 More as Wizards Snap Skid; Wizards 600th MLS Goal Comes From Wolff in Second-Half Stoppage Time

MLS Game #22
Saturday, September 5, 2009 – 6:30 p.m. (CT)
English TV: Metro Sports
Spanish TV: Time Warner Cable Channel 5
Spanish Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
Gillette Stadium; Foxborough, Massachusetts
Weather: 76 and clear
Attendance: 9,489

Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
New England Revolution (9-7-6, 33 pts)                        0              2              2
Kansas City Wizards (6-10-6, 24 pts)                              2              2              4

Scoring Summary:
KC — Claudio Lopez 6 (unassisted) 3
KC — Own Goal (Jay Heaps) 29
NE — Edgaras Jankauskas 2 (unassisted) 64
KC — Josh Wolff 7 (Claudio Lopez 5) 73
NE — Kheli Dube 7 (Sainey Nyassi 1) 81
KC — Josh Wolff 8 (Chance Myers 1, Jack Jewsbury 5) 91+

(September 5, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards (6-10-6, 24 pts) topped the New England Revolution (9-7-6, 33 pts) Saturday in a budding rivalry between the two clubs. Kansas City Striker Josh Wolff was the star of the game, scoring a pair of second-half goals and creating both goals in the first half during an outstanding performance. Kansas City opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute, avoiding tying the club record for longest scoreless streak in a single season. The Wizards are now 7-1-5 all-time at Gillette Stadium in MLS play. Kansas City had not scored four goals in an MLS game since May 26, 2007 in a 4-3 win at Gillette.

Kansas City opened the scoring in just the 3rd minute through former Argentina international Claudio Lopez. Wolff started the play, getting onto a loose ball behind the New England defense and playing a pass toward the center of the field. Wolff’s pass deflected perfectly into the path of Lopez in the center of the area, and the veteran striker buried the ball underneath New England goalkeeper Brad Knighton for his 6th goal of the season and an early 1-0 lead. The goal came just in time for the Wizards to avoid matching the team record for the longest scoreless streak in a single season. The former mark of 427 minutes was set during the 2000 MLS season. Lopez’s early strike stopped the 2009 streak at 426 minutes.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman then made the first of his three saves to keep the Wizards ahead early. Hartman came quickly off his line in the 17th minute to stone Revs striker Edgaras Jankauskas from the top of the six-yard area after a second ball fell nicely to the Lithuanian forward. New England was reduced to 10 men shortly thereafter when Shalrie Joseph was shown a straight red card for a challenge against Jack Jewsbury.

Wolff again created a goal in the 29th minute to put the Wizards ahead 2-0, a lead they would take into halftime. Wolff took a ball in space at the top of the penalty area, then promptly split the New England defense to win the end line. His cross back toward Davy Arnaud making a near-post run was deflected into the net by New England defender Jay Heaps.

Jankauskas converted a beautifully taken chance in the 64th minute to bring the Revs back within a goal. After a second ball fell to him 25 yards from goal, he struck a first-time lazer inside the back post for his 2nd goal of the season.

The Wizards restored a two-goal advantage in the 73rd minute on a perfect counter attack orchestrated by Claudio Lopez. Lopez received an outlet pass at full speed up the right wing, carry the ball to the top of the 18 yard area. Lopez had Arnaud and Wolff with him as Lopez pulled the ball back onto his left foot to change the pace. As Lopez slowed up, Wolff completed a long diagonal run across the face of goal near the penalty spot. Lopez deftly slid the ball into Wolff’s path as Wolff got position on his defender. Wolff then dragged the ball past the Knighton, though the young goalkeeper got a touch to the ball, and fired into the open net from a sharp angle for his 7th strike of the season.

New England again pulled within a goal in the 81st minute, when substitute striker Kheli Dube did well to head home a pass from substitute winger Sainey Nyassi. Kansas City sealed victory in the 91st minute when Wolff completed the brace off passes from Chance Myers and Jack Jewsbury. The goal was the 600th for Kansas City in regular-season MLS play. Myers’ helper marked his first career assist in his 12th game, while Jewsbury assist moved him into the team lead with five on the season. Jewsbury now has 20 career assists, breaking a tie to move alone into 8th place on the team’s all-time list. Wizards assistant Kerry Zavagnin is next in Jewsbury’s sights after he retired prior to the 2009 season with 22 assists in Wizards colors.

Soccer United Marketing (SUM), Saral, the Kansas City Wizards (Major League Soccer) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), announced last Wednesday that Mexico’s most popular teams, Club América and Club Deportivo Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (Chivas), will add a new chapter to their storied rivalry when the clubs meet for another edition of Mexico’s “Clásico Nacional,” or national derby, on Wednesday, September 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game, which will celebrate Mexican Independence Day, will be presented by Bud Light.

Tickets went on sale to the general public Thursday. Prices start at $25, and seats can be purchased by visiting the Kansas City Wizards front office at 8900 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206 or by calling the Wizards toll free at 1-877-828-7222 or 1-913-387-3400.

Saturday’s win comes at the start of a 3-game East-coast road trip that includes a match at D.C. United (September 9) and a trip to the New York Red Bulls (September 12). Both upcoming matches will be shown live on Metro Sports (English) and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish).

The Wizards will not return to Kansas City until after the New York match. Media requiring phone interviews with Wizards players should contact Kyle Rogers in the Kansas City Wizards Media Relations Department at (913) 568-2213 or krogers@kcwizards.com.

Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Lance Watson, Jimmy Conrad©, Matt Besler, Michael Harrington; Herculez Gomez (Chance Myers 63), Santiago Hirsig, Jack Jewsbury, Claudio Lopez (Graham Zusi 89); Josh Wolff (Zoltan 93+), Davy Arnaud

Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Kurt Morsink, Aaron Hohlbein, Abe Thompson

New England Revolution Line-Up: Brad Knighton; Kevin Alston, Darrius Barnes, Emmanuel Osei (Sainey Nyassi 63), Jay Heaps; Wells Thompson, Shalrie Joseph (ejection 23), Jeff Larentowicz, Mauricio Castro (Pat Phelan 32); Steve Ralston, Edgaras Jankauskas (Kheli Dube 74)

Substitutes not used: Bobby Shuttlesworth (GK), Kenny Mansally, Chris Tierney, Michael Videira

Misconduct:
NE — Shalrie Joseph (ejection; Serious Foul Play) 23
NE — Wells Thompson (caution; Fails to Respect Distance) 50
KC — Lance Watson (caution; Persistent Infringement) 63

NE                          KC
Total Shots:                                        8                              12
Shots on Goal:                                  5                              7
Saves:                                                   4                              3
Fouls Committed:                             8                              8
Offside:                                                2                              3
Corner Kicks:                                     2                              4

Referee: Jasen Anno
Assistants: Joe Fletcher, Peter Balciunas
4th official: Lee Suckle

Notables:

·         Kansas City is now 19-11-8 all-time against New England, including a 10-5-5 record on the road.
·         The game marked the first win as a Head Coach for Technical Director/Interim Head Coach Peter Vermes.
·         The Wizards are an impressive 7-1-5 all-time at Gillette Stadium.
·         Kansas City’s four goals give the team 600 goals in MLS play.
·         Kansas City scored four goals in a game for the first time since May 26, 2007 in a 4-3 win at Gillette.
·         Striker Claudio Lopez scored his 6th goal of the season and his 12th in a Wizards uniform.
·         Josh Wolff scored two goals for his 3rd multi-goal game of the season.
·         He is tied with Colorado’s Conor Casey for the MLS lead with three multi-goal games this season.
·         He now has eight goals on the season and 70 in his MLS career.
·         His eight goals put him in a tie for 9th place in MLS this season.
·         His 70 career goals tie him for 15th in MLS history with Cobi Jones.
·         Wolff is 9th among active MLS players, one behind LA’s Edson Buddle.
·         Wolff has scored 38 goals in a Wizards uniform, good for 3rd place behind Preki (71) and Chris Klein (39) and one ahead of current teammate Davy Arnaud (37).
·         Wolff has five multi-goal games for Kansas City, tied for 3rd on the all-time list.
·         His nine game-winning goals for KC put him alone in 3rd place on the club list, breaking a tie with Arnaud and Takawira.
·         Wolff leads the team in game-winners this season with two.
·         The Wizards goalless streak reached 426 minutes, the second longest such streak in club history.
·         Kansas City last scored July 25 against the Los Angeles Galaxy through Claudio Lopez.
·         Lopez scored both goals surrounding the streak.
·         The longest goalless streak (427 consecutive minutes) was set between 6/24/2000 and 7/22/2000.
·         Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has now started 104 straight games and hasn’t missed any action in the last 9360 minutes his teams have played.
·         His minutes-played streak constitutes an MLS record.
·         Aug. 1, Hartman became just the 2nd player in MLS history to start 100 straight matches.
·         Hartman made three saves Saturday, increasing his career MLS record in saves to 1204.
·         Hartman is the first goalkeeper in MLS history to reach the 1200-save plateau.
·         Hartman is the only player to start all 22 games this season for the Wizards and the only player to play every minute of every game this year.
·         Hartman played in his 325th career game Saturday.
·         He ranks 2nd in League history, trailing only New England’s Steve Ralston (375).
·         Midfielder Chance Myers recorded his first career assist on the night, setting up the final goal with a perfectly placed pass to Josh Wolff.
·         Kansas City was without goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, midfielder Kevin Souter and forward Adam Cristman through injury.
·         The USA Bid Committee Inc. announced August 4 that Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium are one of 27 cities and 32 venues, down from 70 initial stadia in 52 cities, on the short list to be included in the United States’ bid to host the FIFA World Cup™ in either 2018 or 2022.
·         The Kansas City / USA Host City Bid Committee is Co-Chaired by Kansas City Chiefs Chairman of the Board Clark Hunt and Cerner Corporation’s Chairman and CEO and Kansas City Wizards co-owner Neal Patterson.
·         Soccer United Marketing (SUM), Saral, the Kansas City Wizards (Major League Soccer) and the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL), announced last Wednesday that Mexico’s most popular teams, Club América and Club Deportivo Guadalajara S.A. de C.V. (Chivas), will add a new chapter to their storied rivalry when the clubs meet for another edition of Mexico’s “Clásico Nacional,” or national derby, on Wednesday, September 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri at 8:30 p.m. CT. The game, which will celebrate Mexican Independence Day, will be presented by Bud Light.
·         Tickets are now on sale. Prices start at $25, and seats can be purchased by visiting the Kansas City Wizards front office at 8900 State Line Road, Leawood, KS 66206 or by calling the Wizards toll free at 1-877-828-7222 or 1-913-387-3400.

Quotes:

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH PETER VERMES
On tonight’s win:
“We’ve been due for quite some time now and I think it’s sort of a monkey off the team’s back. More importantly, I think the guys got rewarded for some good play today and making the commitment to get forward.”

On the rivalry with New England:
“I think – and you know, I hate to use it this way – but last year, the tackle that happened between (Steve) Ralston and (Herculez) Gomez. I think and rightfully so, I understand, players on the Revs got to protect their guy and that turned into something. I think that everybody didn’t want to get into that situation. But the good thing is that tonight was a hard-fought match between both teams, and there wasn’t really any dirty play; I think it was just a hard fought battle, so it’s good for this league to have rivalries. It’s a great thing.”

The importance of getting a win on the start of a three-game road trip:
“It definitely gives us a little breathing room in regards to the next game. The guys can enjoy it for a little while. We talked about this being a three-game road swing. It wasn’t just the fact that it would be nice to get off to a good start, but I think the other piece of it is, when you have three games where you play Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday, the nice thing about it is you don’t have too much to think about in your past performance. If you’ve done well, you have a good chance to build off of it pretty quickly. If you haven’t done well, you can get on with it at the next game pretty quickly, as well. So there is a benefit to both sides of it, and for us right now, it gives us a little confidence going into it next game.

On Wednesday’s game against D.C. United:
“They’re a very good team. They have a great history in a very short time in our league. Obviously it’s an opponent we respect very, very much and for us, we just have to go into it with the same mindset: defend well and take our opportunities when we can.”

On the importance of the early goal…
“I think the big thing in that regard is that we’ve worked hard, and out of the four games that we’ve been a part of so far – excluding our first game against Chicago when the guys were really tired and fatigued. Based on the fact that it was from the training that we did for two weeks. We had to create a foundation, getting the early goal put us into a position today where we sort of could be out in front and then take a little bit of the pressure off and allow the other team to have to come and then maybe we can get the second one. That’s sort of what happened throughout the course of the game which was pretty fortunate. We look at it a little bit of giving up two, that was getting them back in the game and that’s something that we need to continue to work on as well.”

On the impact of the red card:
“Whenever you get a guy thrown out, it always puts a lot of pressure on your team to play. And the other side of it was that we had already been up a by a goal at that point, and now what are they going to do? They’re going to really have to string themselves out. I thought the one thing that we did really well today was up front we had really great runs into space by our forwards and especially Josh (Wolff). There were just some great balls being played from the outside so I think it put the team under pressure.”

On finally getting a win:
“We played in San Jose and we had a very good performance there. We talked to the guys about that. It was a 94-minute game, with four minutes of extra time, and in the 92nd-and-a-half minute, they scored on us. We as a staff felt extremely disappointed for the guys because they worked so hard. But it was a really good lesson to learn, as well. And now to be rewarded for all the work they’ve put in is a great thing.”

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD JOSH WOLFF
On importance of getting an early goal after such a long scoring drought:
“It’s disturbing when you go 420-some minutes (without a goal).  We haven’t played well in the last six or eight weeks, and haven’t created many chances. And when we have, we didn’t finish them. So it’s good to get the early one; it’s important for us. These are the things we talked about coming in here. We’ve had a lot of success in New England – for whatever reason, we’ve come here and got points. Albeit tonight they had a red card and that helped our cause, but we worked hard for it and deservedly got the three points.”

On spacing that the Revolution allowed the Wizards:
“They’re a committed group. New England works hard, they work toward the ball a lot and sometimes that pulls them out of position and allows a little more space. Again, I think our connection and passing was a little bit better, our coordination off the ball with the runs was a bit better. It’s been a long time coming, and it’s satisfying but obviously it’s just one game, and hopefully we can build on it.”

On the great runs made by the Wizards all night:
“For me that’s a big part of my game obviously.  I’m not getting younger; I’m getting older, and the speed will go a little bit. But I think it’s always been one of my strengths. You’ve got to have guys like Jack (Jewsbury) and Claudio (Lopez) and Davy (Arnaud). It’s a big part of the game, and obviously you’ve got to make the proper runs, but also get the proper delivery. I think we had that in sync tonight better than we have in the past.”

On carrying forward after the win:
“It’s a long week, but if you get off with a win it propels you a bit more. We all looked at these nine days as a chance to have fun and get some points, obviously. We’ve been dismal. We’ve been miserable for the last two months and we can only go up. So this is a good start to the trip, and we’ll come out against DC and see what we can do.”

On the players only meeting held Thursday:
“I think we’ve said everything we could say over the last two months. We’ve exhausted the words, and different people spoke up. It’s an unusual league; it’s an unusual season so there’s a lot of ups and downs. But we were on a real low and hopefully this gets us on our way up.”

AG

Neste fim-de-semana 3 partidas pela Major League Soccer que vai chegando em sua reta final nesta temporada regular.

New England Revolution x Kansas City Wizards: jogando fora de casa o Wizards estragou os planos do New England de colar nos líderes da Conferência Leste. Neste sábado o Kansas venceu por 4×2 com boas atuações de Josh Wolff e também do argentino Claudio López – veja os melhores momentos

FC Dallas x DC United: mesmo com uma ótima atuação do jogador Jeff Cunningham, o FC Dallas empatou em 2×2 e deixou o time de Washington sair com 1 ponto. Resultado bom principalmente para o DC que segue entre os melhores da Leste.

Colorado Rapids x Toronto FC: o Rapids que segue fazendo seus jogos atrasados venceu neste sábado a boa equipe do Toronto por 1×0 com gol do matador Conor Casey. Com essa vitória o Colorado assume a terceira posição da Oeste e fica a 4 pontos do líder Dynamo, porém com duas partidas a menos.

The goalkeeper was extremely off his line, but it was still superb.

Well, that was quite a weekend of soccer.   My eyes hurt.

“Cero a Cinco”

Surrounded as I am by a large Colombian family of in-laws, I understand and revel in the “Cinco a Cero” (5-0) hysteria that rang down as a high-note of 1994 World Cup Qualifying when Colombia downed Argentina by that score in Buenos Aires.   Any Colombian of the right age will remember that night, or at least remember the hang-over from the partying that ensued.   And why not?

I never expected that today’s Gold Cup final could be the flip side of that for the USA vs. Mexico. Since this wasn’t a World Cup Qualifier, it certainly doesn’t carry the same weight as that Colombian victory . . . but Mexico really needed a victory like this against the US to set them back on the right path.  And I’m sure they are delirious South of the Border.  (Well, or in lots of places North of the border too, like Giants Stadium which looked like an Azteca preview party today.)  

On Friday, I acknowledged that we didn’t yet know enough about our USA “B” team and that “. . . it’s Sunday against Mexico for the final where we’ll really learn something.”  Well, lesson learned.

Stepping back . . . a questionable penalty tilted the field toward the US goal and then the flood gates opened. The US team on that field is further away from the best 11 we’d start than the Mexican team was (which certainly included a handful of first team starters.) And for good stretches of the match, the US looked as dangerous as Mexico.  At 0-5 though, none of that will matter, nor should it. 

There is a bigger picture here, both in terms of the Gold Cup and the US v Mexico rivalry.

Gold Cup: As I noted on Friday, the pressure in the Mexico/Costa Rica Semi-Final was much higher than what the USA faced against Honduras – a representation of the fact that the USA’s group stages overall shouldn’t have been that hard to get through. Reaching the final inflated expectations which were brought down to earth in a hurry today. When we started this competition, everyone acknowledged this was NOT the best eleven for the USA but would provide an excellent growth opportunity and learning experience for a (mostly) young US Squad. Well, this is one lesson the players on that field won’t ever forget.

US v. Mexico: US fans have had it easy for a while. The USA has “owned” Mexico on our soil, beat them at the World Cup and overall had a pretty clear sense of superiority about them recently.  Is that real though? Are we better than Mexico? Probably need to define “better” . . . our best eleven can beat Mexico’s best eleven, we’ve proven that. But be it the National teams or club teams (as evidenced in Superliga, CONCACAF Champions League, etc.), what was proven today is that there remains a pretty serious experience gap after you dig deeper into the roster.

Again, I’ll avoid player ratings here, as there will be too many offering opinions already. I heralded Jay Heaps for his improved play after a rough start . . . if I were clairvoyant, I’d have begged him to take the accolades and run for the hills.  Missed opportunities in the final third and tackles that needed to be all or nothing but missed that mark were shared by many. Risks were inevitable after the team was a down by a couple goals  . . . but the disintegration of the back line screamed for experience. Too bad Jimmy Conrad’s bell was rung against Panama, he might have helped.

The real question is what will happen on August 12th in Mexico City. Can new found confidence push Mexico to leverage the Azteca advantage and romp once more?  Will the USA “first-eleven” feel the need for some “revancha” in Mexico and be even more motivated than they already were?

MLS Games

Funny things happen when the New England Revolotuion can get some of their better players (Shalrie Joseph, Steve Ralston) on the field.   They win.   I have a secret (and perhaps unreasonable) hope that this season has some potential left. Why? Based on no-data to prove this it seems to me that many teams which start out gangbusters tend to run out of luck (injuries) or otherwise lose their way by the playoffs, whereas the teams who work through early season injuries/issues are fresher and more focused come playoff time. Hmmm, perhaps all we need to do is sneak into the playoffs and keep recovering from injuries.

David Beckham played and even shook a fan’s hand, but he didn’t score.  His captain did.  Both were out done by the more than half-field goal by Claudio Lopez.

I didn’t see the Red Bulls / Colorado game, but I didn’t really have to, did I?  RBNY really is THAT bad.  Unfortunate for MLS.   Hysterical for a Revs fan.

World Football Challenge

I struggled to care about these games. How is it possible that some of the best teams in the world are visiting and I struggle to care?  Frankly, it’s sad to me that the crowds are coming out for a pre-season warm up “competition” in such numbers as to suggest they had no other soccer to watch in this country. I thought Taylor Twellman’s (whose team gets maybe a third of today’s crowd) tweet said it all “gosh I wish the stadium filled like this for OUR games be so cool.”   Yes, it would . . .

Taylor also tweeted on the joys of playing on natural grass. Which makes me wonder . . . if it is feasible to install a grass field for some of these one-off games is it really out of the question for MLSto do something for the part of their season that doesn’t conflict with the NFL?

As for the AC Milan / Inter Minal game, the idea that this game was anything like a true ”derby” is laughable if I’m being generous. I’ve been to a European derby (Chelsea/Arsenal), a Brazilian Derby (Fluminense/Flamengo — OK, preseason, but still) and actually stood in the last row of Inter’s Ultras at the amazing San Siro.   The intensity of those games is hard to describe.   What happened at Gillette earlier today pre-season warm up with a little extra juice than the others we’ve seen in this tournament.  But not much more.

Seattle Sounders FC x Chicago Fire: jogo com tensão alta, Freddie Ljungberg e John Thorrington receberam cartão vermelho no segundo tempo e as duas equipes empataram em 0×0. Pior para o Chicago que perdeu a ponta da tabela nesta rodada. O lance mais emocionante foi aos 35′ do segundo tempo quando Fredy Montero chutou na trave.

Columbus Crew x Toronto FC: jogão! Essa é a palavra que melhor define a partida. Jogando em casa o Crew bateu a boa equipe do Toronto por 3×2, teve virada de placar dos dois lados e gol da vitória do Crew aos 47′ do segundo tempo. Com essa vitória o Columbus assume a liderança da Conferência Leste da MLS.

Houston Dynamo x New England Revolution: o o Revolution segue sem perder a três partidas. O Houston foi surpreendido em casa e perdeu por 1×0 com gol de Kheli Dube, mas o grande destaque ficou por conta do goleiro do New England, Matt Reis que simplesmente parou o ataque do Dynamo.

Kansas City Wizards x Los Angeles Galaxy: Claudio Lopez talvez tenha marcado o gol mais bonito da temporada 2009 da MLS, em uma saída rápida o argentino chutou do meio-campo e marcou um golaço! O Galaxy chegou ao empate com o craque Landon Donovan ainda no primeiro tempo. Resultado interessante pro Los Angeles que segue entre os primeiros da Oeste, já o Wizards segura a vice-lanterna da Leste.

Colorado Rapids x New York Red Bulls: o Rapids simplesmente não tomou conhecimento do Bulls. O Colorado aplicou a sonora goleada de 4×0 com gols de Jacob Peterson, Pat Noonan, Nick LaBrocca e Mehdi Ballouchy. Com essa vitória o Colorado Rapids cola nos líderes da Conferência Oeste.

San Jose Earthquakes x DC United: praticamente fora dos playoffs em 2009 o Earthquakes até que mostrou um bom futebol neste sábado, mas só no segundo tempo. A equipe do DC saiu na frente com dois gols de Christian Gomez; O San Jose chegou ao empate com os gols de Ryan Johnson e Cornell Glen. Um resultado que não agradou muito o DC, já que vencia por 2×0 e buscava a liderança da Leste – veja os melhores momentos

I made the trip up to Foxboro this weekend for the Gold Cup Tripleheader.  It was a night of perfect weather, a great US/Hati match and a stinker of an MLS game.  I made the trip with a buddy with whom I played soccer in college.  While I have immersed myself in MLS and US soccer over the past decade, he had been neither to an MLS game nor a US game.  He drove up from the City of Brotherly Love and is a big Philadelphia sports fan.  He has expressed some lukewarm interest in the Union, but wanted to “see the product” before he buys.

His experience was unfortunately instructive.  The US game was scintillating.  Fans of both teams were into the game, the soccer was back and forth and there was tension throughout.  The Revs/Wizards game was a different animal.  The soccer was of poor quality, the crowd quiet and the match lacked drama.  On the way back (sorry Grenada, we didn’t catch the third game), my buddy expressed how entertaining the US match was, while noting that he almost fell asleep during the Revs game.

In defense of MLS, both teams were missing many of their best players both to injury and the Gold Cup, and every League, all over the world, puts up stinkers. Yet a common issue on this blog is the big question facing MLS; how does the League bring the multitudes of American soccer fans into the fold?  Displays like Saturday night are not the answer.

The new franchises (TFC, Seattle, RSL) have managed to bridge this divide.  The Revs, Red Bulls, etc… have not.  Behind me at the game was a teenage youth player of an apparently high level.  He was at the game with a relative who knew little about soccer, yet this youth player regaled his relative with the biography and history of all of the US players.  This youth knew nothing about the MLS teams involved, knew none of the players and was dismissive of their skill. “Individually they are ok, but they can’t play in tight spaces.”  Of course the player that commented was directed at was two time Argentinian World Cup veteran Claudio Lopez.  This youth player had no idea that athletes of that caliber were plying their trade in MLS.

The League is making strides; we’ve documented those repeatedly.  Yet it was remarkable how many fans came to the triple header after the Revs game was over because they had zero interest in MLS.  I’m not describing anything new; we’ve certainly posted about this issue many times.  However, I thought the anecdotes were instructive.  My friend? He promised to give the Union a try, but has decided against season tickets.

World Cup at Arrowhead?

Matt Besler Joins MLS Daily

Kansas City Wizards: Photos From Loss To Columbus Crew

Take Me Out to the Ballgame – Week 12

With Cheerleaders This Hot, Soccer Can’t Be That Boring, Right?

Iminsi iteka inzovu mu rwabya

Kansas City Turning into a Soccer Town

 Wizards try to regroup after losing to Crew

Defensive breakdowns cost Wizards

Columbus Crew v Kansas City Wizards

MLS Weekend Recap: Week 12

Columbus Shuts Out Wizards

Referee Shows Yellow Card to Farting Footballer

Kansas City Wizards Fall to Defending MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew 2-0

Wizards Generate 14 Second-Half Shots, Held Scoreless by Blue Valley North Graduate Andy Gruenebaum and Columbus Defense
 
Major League Soccer Game 13
Saturday, June 6, 2009 – 7:30 p.m. (CT)
English TV: Metro Sports
Español TV: Time Warner Cable Channel 5
Español Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
CommunityAmerica Ballpark – Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 82 and clear
Attendance: 10,385 – Sold Out
 
Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
Kansas City Wizards (4-5-4, 16 pts)                                0              0              0
Columbus Crew (3-2-7, 16 pts)                                        1              1              2
                                                                                                   
Scoring Summary:
CLB – Guillermo Barros Schelotto 7 (unassisted) 14
CLB – Guillermo Barros Schelotto 8 (penalty kick) 64
 
(June 6, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards fell to the 2008 MLS Cup champion Columbus Crew 2-0 Saturday despite generating a season-high 17 shots, 14 of which came in the second half. Columbus won the match on the strength of two goals by Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Schelotto is now tied for the League lead with eight strikes on the season. Three of Schelotto’s tallies this season have come against the Wizards.
 
Columbus opened the scoring in the 14th minute when a bouncing ball in the penalty area fell to the feet of Schelotto for an easy finish into the open net. A pair of defenders collided with Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman as the ball fell to Schelotto.
 
Hartman then made an outstanding save shortly after halftime to keep the Wizards within a goal. Columbus winger Emmanuel Ekpo cut into the center of the field from his station on the right, firing a bending ball toward the back post. Hartman extended fully to parry the shot wide of goal for the Crew’s only corner kick of the match. On the ensuing restart, Columbus defender Chad Marshall was ejected for serious foul play after he appeared to knee Wizards defender Aaron Hohlbein in the groin.
 
The Crew added to its lead in the 64th minute through a Schelotto penalty kick. Crew midfielder Eddie Gaven drew a foul one step into the penalty area on the right before Schelotto buried a shot into the right side of the goal after sending Hartman to the left.
 
Kansas City answered with 12 shots after the Crew’s final tally, but the Wizards could not crack the score sheet. The Wizards best opportunity of the flurry came in the 73rd minute when Kansas City striker Claudio Lopez served a ball from the right wing to the center of the penalty area. Midfielder Jack Jewsbury ran into the cross, hitting a snap header toward the back post the Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum dove to push wide.
 
One minute later, midfielder Santiago Hirsig hit a hard shot along the ground from 20 yards out that was cleared off the goal line by defender Eric Brunner after eluding Gruenebaum. Substitute midfielder Graham Zusi also tested Gruenebaum with a hard-hit shot in the 82nd minute that the Columbus ‘keeper did well to tip wide.
 
The Wizards remain at home for an MLS showdown next Saturday with the New England Revolution. The match kicks off at 7:30 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. After the game, Kansas City has two weeks off from Major League Soccer competition to compete in the 3rd edition of SuperLiga, the competition that brings the USA-Mexico soccer rivalry to the club level.
 
Kansas City kicks off SuperLiga against FC Atlas of Mexico’s first division Sunday, June 21 at 3:30 p.m. CT at Hermann Stadium on the campus of St. Louis University. Tickets for the match start at $20 and are now available at all MetroTix locations. Charge by phone (314) 534-1111 or purchase online at www.metrotix.com. Additional information is also available by calling the Kansas City Wizards toll free at 1-877-828-7222. The Wizards then travel to play the New England Revolution in a SuperLiga match Wednesday, June 24 at Gillette Stadium before hosting Mexican team Santos Laguna Sunday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City.
 
 
Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Lance Watson (Michael Harrington 69), Jimmy Conrad ©, Aaron Hohlbein (Graham Zusi 80), Matt Besler; Jack Jewsbury, Santiago Hirsig, Davy Arnaud, Herculez Gomez (Abe Thompson 60); Josh Wolff, Claudio Lopez
 
Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Rauwshan McKenzie, Kurt Morsink, Kevin Souter
Columbus Crew Line-Up: Andy Gruenebaum; Eric Brunner, Chad Marshall (ejection 51), Gino Padula; Emmanuel Ekpo (Jason Garey 89), Eddie Gaven, Danny O’Rourke, Jed Zayner, Robbie Rogers; Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Steven Lenhart 86), Pat Noonan
Misconduct: Alec Dufty (GK), Kevin Burns, Cory Elenio, Alex Grendi, Stanley Nyazamba
 
                                                                KC                          CLB
Total Shots:                                        17                           6                             
Shots on Goal:                                  5                              3
Saves:                                                   1                              3
Fouls Committed:                             11                           17
Offside:                                                1                              2Corner Kicks:                                     9                              1             
 
Referee: Baldomero Toledo
Assistants: Nate Clement, James Conlee
4th official: Andrew Chapin

Quotes:

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game“I actually thought we played very well in the first half, except for the mess on the goal. That part is disappointing. I thought we created some good chances. We were just a little bit off or unlucky all evening. They got a red card, and then I felt like we were really going to be able to push the game. The penalty kick hurt. It really enabled them to sit into a defensive shell and not have to play.”
 
On the strong start early
“I thought we exerted a lot of energy early on. I thought we played well and we moved the ball well, but unfortunately we didn’t put the ball in the back of the net. If you score in those situations all of a sudden you put yourself in a much better situation. We put some good early services into the box and we just had to continue with that.”
 
On not picking up points at home
“This is a dog-fight league. It’s obviously disappointing. In this business you have to stay even keeled. We have to pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and keep plugging away. That’s how we make our living in MLS.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On the game“We gave up two soft goals, and we lost. Giving up soft goals has been the bane of our existence this season. Until we can eradicate that, it’s going to be hard to move up the table.”
 
On the first goal
“The ball squirted through. There were three of us that could have made a play on it. I was going to go, and then I heard Kevin coming. I tried to stop and I guess it was too late. It fell right to Schelotto. That’s part of the game and we need to be able to solve that. That was pretty much their only chance in the first half. We’re dropping valuable points at home, and that’s not good.
 
On not being able to score despite having a season-high 17 shots
“Columbus did a good job of blocking the passing lanes and any shooting lanes into the goal. They battled, they scrapped and they got the three points. Unless we can finish and punish them for their mistakes, like they did to us, it’s hard to get a result.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS STRIKER JOSH WOLFF
On the game“You want to get the first goal here, because it’s tough to break the other team if they get into their shell. We certainly gave them the first one. It’s frustrating. We wanted to get three points, but obviously we didn’t do enough today to do that.”
 
On moving on from this loss
“We need to look at this game and figure out the things we need to work on. You’ve got to put it behind you. Hopefully it will spur us on for the next game. In our division every game is a battle and three points is a premium. There are a lot of points in our division that we feel like we’ve let go, but we’ve got to move forward. That’s the name of the game, and there’s a lot of season left.”
 
COLUMBUS CREW HEAD COACH ROBERT WARZYCHA
On the road win“I told the guys before the game that I don’t want to go home empty handed. Even one point was going to be very good for us. It’s a tough place to play here and they are a very well coached team. They are a very dangerous opponent. We are happy with the win.”

On Columbus regaining last season’s form
“The thing is if you look at the games since the beginning of the season, we are playing more exciting soccer. We have been playing very well but we weren’t getting any results. If I look back at those games, we were giving up goals in the last minutes. The first win away from home is always important, especially when you’re down a man for 35 minutes.” 
 
COLUMBUS CREW GOALKEEPER ANDY GRUENEBAUM
On the match“The guys in front of me did a great job blocking shots, like they have all year. Getting in front of stuff and just doing their  best to block everything and minimize what I have to do.”

On winning both games against Kansas City this season
“Obviously we go into every match with the same mentality home or on the road. We want results on the road but we play to win, so I think that maybe because it was Kansas City, it’s a game I kind of circle, and I really want to win a little bit more but because I’m from here.”

On his 2nd career appearance in Kansas City
“A couple years back I started in Kansas City which, and we lost in the 90th minute. It was Guillermo’s first match with us and it was Cinco de Mayo. It was like 99 degrees out at Arrowhead. I love coming back, whether or not I’m playing.  It’s my home and my fiancé and family is here. I love it here.”
 
On recording his 1st shutout in two seasons
“I only played one game last year on the way to the championship. It feels great. Anytime you get in there and get a shutout, it feels great. And to do it on your hometown city, it’s that much better.”

AG

Claudio Lopez: Maradona Is Doing Things Well

2009 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Structure Finalized

‘Special 1,’ ‘Sven’ and the Flu ”And the Special 1 gives a shout out to a fan at a Kansas City Wizards game who was photographed holding up a “Be Champions” sign. Who is that guy?” 

Adam Cristman interview — 04/29/2009

SCOUT NIGHT with the Kansas City Wizards Soccer Team!

Friday’s Daily: No Comment

KC Wizards Starting 11 Girls

Self Pimpin’

AG

March/April Player of the Month

Take a look

MLS Power Rankings: Week 7

Dog’s Night at the Wizards!

Major League Soccer All-Star Kevin Hartman Campaigns for Parental Involvement

Videos: MLS Funny Men

AG

O defensor do Red Bull New York, Carlos Johnson (de branco, à esquerda), foi expulso na partida contra os Wizards e prejudicou os Taurinos

Esta semana foi totalmente inversa da anterior, ou seja, quem ganhou, perdeu e quem perdeu ganhou.

No hemisféreo norte, na Major League Soccer (MLS), o Red Bull New York sofreu duas derrotas em uma semana: em 23 de abril, perdeu para o Kansas City Wizards, na casa do adversário, por 1×0. Logo no início da partida, o zagueiro taurino Carlos Johnson fez uma falta dentro da grande área. Penalti e expulsão de Johnson, que prejudicou muito a equipe. O argentino Claudio López cobrou com perfeição para os Wizards e deu o placar do jogo. Hoje, 26 de abril, os Taurinos de Nova York jogaram contra o DC United, em Washington e sofreram nova derrota, desta vez por 3×2. Os estadunidenses Rodney Wallace, Chris Pontius, e o brasileiro Luciano Emílio marcaram para o DC, enquanto o colombiano Juan Pablo Ángel e o jamaicano Dane Richards descontaram para o Red Bull. A maré está mesmo brava para os novaiorquinos… O próximo jogo do Red Bull New York será dia 2 de maio contra o Los Angeles Galaxy. 

Veja o gol e melhores momentos da partida contra o Kansas City Wizards (narração original em inglês):

Veja os gols e melhores momentos da partida contra o DC United (narração original em espanhol):

Apesar de todo o esforço do suíço Johan Vonlanthen, o Red Bull Salzburg não resisitiu ao SV Ried

No outro lado do Atlântico Norte, na Bundesliga austríaca, o Red Bull Salzburg também teve uma semana ruim, pois perdeu para um de seus fregueses no campeonato, o SV Ried, e perdeu de goleada: 3×0 para os donos da casa.

Desta vez o artilheiro taurino Marc Janko não marcou

Mesmo estando com sua força máxima – inclusive o artilheiro Marc Janko – os Taurinos de Salzburg foram surpreendidos pelos anfitriões e não tiveram forças para reagir. Apesar do mau resultado, o Red Bull mantém ainda sete pontos de vantagem sobre seu adversário mais próximo, o Rapid Wien, com cinco jogos para o final da temporada. Basta não sofrer novas surpresas e manter a média que o caneco está garantido.

O próximo jogo do Red Bull Salzburg será contra o SK Karnten no próximo dia 3 de maio.

Red Bull Brasil

Aqui no Atlântico Sul, o Red Bull Brasil recuperou-se da derrota da rodada anterior e venceu o SEV-Hortolândia no estádio Moisés Lucarelli por 2×1. Henrique e Emerson marcaram para os Taurinos brazucas, enquanto Hernam Faria diminui para a equipe adversária. Com o resultado e a obtenção de seus primeiros pontos, o Red Bull está em 5º lugar no grupo 4 com 3 pontos. A próxima partida do Red Bull Brasil será dia 10 de maio contra o Desportivo Brasil fora de casa.

João Carlos Correia é o autor dos textos, administrador e editor do blog Red Bull Football

O Kansas City Wizards recebeu nesta quinta-feira o New York Red Bulls, o time do Texas logo aos 3′ de partida teve um penalti a seu favor e convertido pelo argentino Claudio López.

A equipe do Wizards teve outras boas chances na partida, mas não soube aproveitar a fragilidade que a defesa do Bulls tem nesta temporada 2009 da Major League Soccer. Com esse resultado o Wizards assume a liderança da Conferência Leste, já o New York conhece sua terceira derrota em apenas 6 partidas.

Escalações:

New York Red Bulls — Jon Conway, Carlos Johnson, Kevin Goldthwaite, Carlos Mendes (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 77), Alfredo Pacheco, Matthew Mbuta, Jorge Rojas (Luke Sassano 46), Seth Stammler, Danleigh Borman, Juan Pablo Angel, Macoumba Kandji (Dane Richards 59).

Kansas City Wizards — Kevin Hartman, Lance Watson, Jimmy Conrad, Aaron Hohlbein, Matt Besler (Roger Espinoza 67), Santiago Hirsig, Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury (Michael Harrington 32), Herculez Gomez (Michael Kraus 77), Josh Wolff, Claudio Lopez.

Wizards Magically Appear At Top Of Eastern Conference Table

RED BULLS AT KANSAS CITY WIZARDS: POST MATCH

Local Stadiums Express Interest in Hosting World Cup

More Thursday Night Hype: Stammler, Mendes on K.C.

Wizards Hold On For Victory Against Ten-Man New York

Red Bulls Have red-Card problem

Kansas City Wizards Defeat New York Red Bulls 1-0 Thursday on ESPN2 to Move Into 1st Place in East
 
Claudio Lopez Converts Penalty Kick in 3rd Minute, Wizards Defense Posts 3rd Shutout in Last 4 Matches
 
Major League Soccer Game 6
Thursday, April 23, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. (CT)
English TV: ESPN2
Español TV: ESPN Deportes
English Radio: Sports Radio 810 WHB
Español Radio: ESPN Deportes (National)
CommunityAmerica Ballpark – Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 78 and clear
Attendance: 10,385 – SOLD OUT
 
Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
Kansas City Wizards (3-2-1, 10 pts)                            1              0              1
New York Red Bulls (1-3-2, 5 pts)                                0              0              0
 
                                                                                                   
Scoring Summary:
KC – Claudio Lopez 2 (penalty kick) 3’
 
(April 23, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0 Thursday in a nationally televised match on ESPN2. Kansas City striker Claudio Lopez converted a 3rd minute penalty kick in front of a packed house at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, and the Wizards defense allowed New York just two shots on goal for a shutout. The Wizards moved into 1st place in the East with the victory and have posted three shutouts in their last four matches.
 
Kansas City started quickly in front of a raucous crowd that was brought to its feet before the game by a B2 Bomber flyover from Whiteman Air Force Base. In the 2nd minute, striker Josh Wolff pushed Herculez Gomez through on the left side of the penalty area. As Gomez looked to collect the ball on his way toward goal, New York defender Carlos Johnson clipped Gomez, bringing the Kansas City attacker down for a penalty kick. Since Gomez was clear of the last man, Johnson was shown a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Lopez stepped to the penalty spot and calmly slotted the ball home inside the left post for a 1-0 lead the Wizards would not relinquish.
 
Kansas City nearly scored again in the 24th minute off a corner kick. Lopez took the restart from the right corner flag, curling a pass toward Herculez Gomez at the back post. Gomez dove to head the ball on frame, but New York goalkeeper Jon Conway made a quick reaction save to keep the Red Bulls within a goal.
 
New York star Juan Pablo Angel nearly brought the Red Bulls level in the 52nd minute, hitting a dangerous half volley from the six yards out at the back post. Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made his first save of the night, however, punching Angel’s point-blank effort clear.
 
The Wizards again proved dangerous off a set piece from Claudio Lopez in the 68th minute. Lopez curled a ball to the back post from 25 yards out, with central defender Aaron Hohlbein heading the ball on goal at the back post. Conway again came up big, parrying the shot wide for a Wizards corner kick.
 
Angel nearly helped New York earn a late point, first sending a free kick over the bar from a dangerous position in the 84th minute, and then making Hartman again come up big in second-half stoppage time. After a New York cross was flicked on by Matthew Mbuta, Angel slid to re-direct a shot on goal, but Hartman was there to block the effort and keep his 3rd clean sheet of the season. With the shutout victory, Hartman extended his MLS records in wins (141), shutouts (80) and saves (1150). The Wizards honored Hartman before the match for breaking the MLS career saves record March 28 at Colorado.
 
Kansas City faces a quick turnaround, flying to Toronto Friday for a Sunday match against Toronto FC at BMO Field at 4 p.m. CT on Metro Sports. Coach’s Bar and Grill on 103rd street near Wornall will again host a watch party for Wizards fans. Toronto defeated Kansas City 3-2 in the 2009 season opener, Toronto’s first-ever win in Kansas City. The Reds also face a busy week after handing Chivas USA their first loss of the season Wednesday night at home.
 
Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Lance Watson, Jimmy Conrad ©, Aaron Hohlbein, Matt Besler (Roger Espinoza 67); Santiago Hirsig, Jack Jewsbury (Michael Harrington 32), Davy Arnaud, Herculez Gomez (Michael Kraus 77); Josh Wolff, Claudio Lopez
 
Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Rauwshan McKenzie, Kurt Morsink, Abe Thompson
New York Red Bulls Line-Up: Jon Conway; Carlos Johnson (ejection 3), Kevin Goldthwaite, Carlos Mendes (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 77), Alfredo Pacheco; Matthew Mbuta, Seth Stammler, Jorge Rojas (Luke Sassano 46), Danleigh Borman; Macoumba Kandji (Dane Richards 59), Juan Pablo Angel ©
 
Substitutes not used: Danny Cepero (GK), Andrew Boyens, Khano Smith, John Wolyniec
Misconduct:
NY – Carlos Johnson (ejection; Denied Goal Scoring Opportunity (Foul)) 2
KC – Jimmy Conrad (caution; Reckless Foul) 29
KC – Matt Besler (caution; Persistent Infringement) 64
 
                                                                KC                          NY
Total Shots:                                        13                           11                          
Shots on Goal:                                  6                              2
Saves:                                                   2                              5
Fouls Committed:                             12                           10
Offside:                                                5                              1Corner Kicks:                                     5                              2             
 
Referee: Michael Kennedy
Assistants: Anthony Vasoli, Jeff Muschik
4th official: Abbey Okulaja
 
Notables:
 
·         With the win, Kansas City improves to 3-2-1, 10 pts and occupies 1st place in the Eastern Conference.
·         Kansas City is now 15-14-9 all-time against New York, including a 13-6-2 record at home.·         The Wizards are 2-1-0 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on the season and 11-3-4 all-time at the stadium.·         Kansas City posted its 3rd shutout of the season, moving into a tie for 1st in MLS. ·         The Wizards have not been shutout in the last 18 MLS regular-season matches, dating back to 8/2/08 at D.C. United.·         Kansas City’s record for most consecutive games without being shutout is 20, set between 8/19/06 – 6/20/07.·         Kansas City has posted six shutouts of its own during that stretch.·         Argentine striker Claudio Lopez scored his 2nd goal of the season, converting a 3rd minute penalty kick for the game-winning goal.·         Lopez’s strike was the earliest Kansas City goal in a game this year and the 2nd fastest penalty kick in team history. ·         Preki took a penalty kick that was stopped in the 1st minute 9/12/97.·         Saturday’s penalty was the fastest ever converted by a Wizards player.·         Lopez now has 2 goals and 3 assists on the year and 8 goals and 10 assists in MLS play since joining the Wizards.·         Lopez is tied for 2nd on the team in goals with Josh Wolff and is tied for the MLS lead in assists.·         Lopez has converted 3 penalty kicks in a Wizards uniform.·         New York defender Carlos Johnson brought down Herculez Gomez in the 2nd minute, creating the penalty kick.
·         Johnson was also ejected on the play for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
·         Johnson’s red card was the fastest in MLS history.
·         The Wizards have now seen two opposing players sent off in the last three games. Herculez Gomez has been the Wizards player involved in both plays.
·         Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made 2 saves on the night, including a last-second save on Juan Pablo Angel from close range.
·         Hartman now has 1150 career saves and ranks 1st all-time in MLS in this category.
·         The Wizards honored Hartman before the match for breaking the MLS career saves record March 28 at Colorado.
·         Hartman also ranks 1st in shutouts. With tonight’s clean sheet, Hartman becomes the 1st MLS goalkeeper to reach the 80-shutout plateau.
·         Hartman now has 141 career wins, another MLS record.
·         Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury left the match in the 32nd minute with a concussion after a 19th minute collision. He was taken to an area hospital for tests and released shortly thereafter.
·         Jewsbury had not missed a minute previously for Kansas City in 2009.
·         Jimmy Conrad and Kevin Hartman are the only Wizards players to play all 540 minutes on the season.

 
Quotes:
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game“We wanted to have a good start, and we certainly had a great start. Drawing the PK and then getting the goal right away was great. Credit to New York, I thought they did an excellent job once they went a player down to make it really hard on us. It was one of those games where if we would have just got that second goal then maybe we could put the game away, but we weren’t able to do that. Credit to New York, they really dug it out and fought hard with 10 players.”
 
On the day
“We had some chances we just didn’t have that final finish or final pass. That part of it was disappointing. But for me, this has been an unbelievable day. I had a nasty car accident on the way here with my family (in the car). Fortunately everybody’s healthy and we got our three points tonight. We have ten points, and we’re sitting in first place. We’ll figure out the things that we need to do better and get ourselves ready for a tough game on Sunday.”
 
On defending Juan Pablo Angel
“I thought we did well. He’s one of those players where you never relax, because if he has one chance, he usually finishes it. But for the most part I thought we did a solid job against him.”
 
On the quick turnaround for Sunday’s game at Toronto
“We may have to play some other players depending on where we are with fatigue. There are some fresh bodies on our bench that may see more time. Roger Espinoza came in tonight and had a real impact on the game, and that’s good to see. Michael Harrington again came in and did a good job. Our reserve players have done well.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS STRIKER CLAUDIO LOPEZ
On the early penalty kick“It was a clear PK call. I just tried to see the keeper and try to shoot it the other way.”
 
On having the PK so early in the game
“You always have to concentrate because you always have to be ready for something like that. It’s an opportunity that you can’t miss. It was really good that it happened to us early.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On the quick turnaround for Sunday’s game at Toronto“After Sunday, we don’t have another game for 10 days, so we can push it a little bit knowing that we have a couple of days off afterwards. We do have a deep bench, but I think we’ll continue to have a similar lineup knowing that we’ll have time to rest the next week.”
 
On climbing into first place in the East
“We’re confident, but we’re aware that we need to get better. 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.”
 
On the atmosphere inside CommunityAmerica Ballpark
“It was really loud, and the atmosphere was great. It was one of the best atmospheres that we’ve ever had here at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. I’m really excited because we were trying to put on a good show for the rest of the country and we came out and got a win.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS GOALKEEPER KEVIN HARTMAN
On the game“We put them under pressure early and put them in a precarious situation, and I thought the referee gave a justified call. We wish we would have done better and gone ahead and secured a second goal. That being said, we finished it off without giving up a ton a shots and we were pretty secure in the back.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER HERCULEZ GOMEZ
On the atmosphere at CommunityAmerica Ballpark“That’s the way we want it to be every game. The crowd definitely gives us a boost. It’s fun playing in front of a packed stadium and an exciting crowd like that. It feels good to get the fans a win.”
 
NEW YORK RED BULLS HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS OSORIO
On the Wizards attack”One thing we were aware of was the counterattack; obviously they had their chances when we had three in the back. When were playing four in the back I think we controlled them quite well. We also did very well on set-plays. We defended very well against a team that is very good on set-plays.”
On goalkeeper Jon Conway’s play”I think Conway did well. He made a couple of good saves. A credit to him, he has kept himself in good shape throughout the suspension.”

NEW YORK RED BULLS STRIKER JUAN PABLO ANGEL On the game”The whole course of the game changed with that first play. 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.”

NEW YORK RED BULLS GOALKEEPER JON CONWAY On the game”As a goalkeeper it wasn’t something that you expect that early in the match, it was unfortunate to go down a man. We did well. I thought our back line did great in limiting their chances. With ten men they are going to get chances to score, but we did well.”

AG

Non so perchè….probabilmente tutto questo è dovuto all’aver indossato una maglia della Lazio durante una partita di calcetto, la maglia era quella di Claudio “el piojo” Lopez, un mito.

Eh si, perchè da “bambino” (nel 2000 avevo 12 anni) ero tifoso della Lazio, perchè era una squadra veramente micidiale, o forse è solo una mia convinzione mia…

In questi giorni sono andato a prendere la formazione di quegli anni, dal 1997 al 2002, il periodo in quei tifavo la formazione biancoceleste e ho avuto proprio bei ricordi….i giocatori simbolo (quelli che mi hanno segnato l’adolescenza) sono questi:

Portieri:

Marchegiani

Luca Marchegiani

Difensori:

Paolo Negro
Alessandro Nesta
Giuseppe Favalli
Guerino Gottardi
Giuseppe Pancaro
Sinisa Mihajlovic
Fernando Couto

Centrocampisti:

Nedved

Lombardo

Giuseppe Venturin
Diego Fuser
Pavel Nedved
Roberto Baronio
Matias Almeyda
Sergio Conceiçao
Dejan Stankovic
Attillio Lombardo
Ivan de la Penà
Diego Simeone
Juan Sebastian Veron
Karel Poborsky
Dino Baggio
Stefano Fiore
Gaizka Mendieta

Vieri

Attaccanti:

S. Inzaghi

Pierluigi Casiraghi

Alen Boksic
Roberto Mancini
Marcelo Salas
Christian Vieri
Simone Inzaghi
Claudio Lopez
Hernan Crespo

Allenatore:

Sven Goran Eriksson

Il migliore di tutti: Claudio Lopez

Volevo chiedervi un favore: se avete la maglia originale di Claudio Lopez mi potete contattare, perchè sarei disposto a comprarla (se il prezzo è ragionevole)…

]]> http://mlsbr.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/rodada-do-fim-de-semana/ Sun, 05 Apr 2009 14:37:13 +0000 bruno http://mlsbr.wordpress.com/2009/04/05/rodada-do-fim-de-semana/

SÁBADO

Toronto FC x Seattle Sounders FC: o caçula da MLS consegue sua terceira vitória em três jogos, desta vez a vítima foi o Toronto FC que normalmente jogando em casa não perde, mas parece que o Sounders está impossível. Neste saábado eles venceram pelo placar de 2×0 com gols de Freddie Ljungberg e Steve Zakuani.

NE Revolution x FC Dallas: o Dallas tem o pior ínicio de temporada da história do clube, terceira derrota seguida da equipe, desta vez os texanos perderam de 2×1 para o New England Revolution que segue bem neste ínicio – veja os melhores momentos

DC United x Houston Dynamo: depois de dois empates o DC finalmente consegue sua primeira vitória na Major League Soccer. A equipe de Washington venceu o Dynamo pelo placar básico, 1×0 com gol do brasileiro Luciano Emilio.

LA Galaxy x Colorado Rapids: jogão em Los Angeles, o Galaxy recebeu o Colorado Rapids e perdeu por 3×2 com show de Conor Casey que balançou as redes três vezes. A equipe de Los Angeles agora tem 1 derrota e 1 empate, já o Rapids vem de duas vitórias e 1 derrota – veja os melhores momentos

DOMINGO

Chicago Fire x NY Red Bulls: os donos da casa fizeram o básico na tarde de domingo, Marco Pappa marcou o único gol da partida e somou 3 pontos para o Chicago Fire que dividem a liderança da Leste com o Revolution, já o Red Bulls (atual vice-campeão da MLS) não começa bem 2009 e é o lanterna da conferência.

KC Wizards x SJ Earthquakes: o Wizards desencanta na MLS 2009, neste domingo eles venceram o San Jose pelo placar de 2×0 com gols de Aaron Hohlbein e Claudio Lopez.

Chivas USA x Columbus Crew: 100% de aproveitamento, esta é a campanha do Chivas neste temporada. Neste domingo a equipe recebeu os atuais campeões da MLS e venceram pelo placar de 2×1. Ao Crew resta lembrar as coisas boas de 2008, porque nesta temporada a equipe em 4 partidas soma apenas 2 pontos – veja os melhores momentos

Season Tickets are Here!

Give & Go: KC Wizards’ Jimmy Conrad

This weekend in Kansas City

MLS season begins tonight in Seattle

‘09 Season Preview: De Ro brings new attitude to TFC

MLS gears up for action

Better Luck Next Year, MLS…

2009 MLS Season Preview: Prediction Edition

Playing the MLS guessing game

Columbus likely to rule the Eastern Conference once again

McCarthy’s Musings: MLS Award Predictions

SBI MLS Fantasy Corner: Week One

MLS 09: Some Storylines

In M.L.S., Designated Players Do Not Guarantee Great Expectations

Village West area serves as inspiration to KCMO councilman

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – March 18

Kansas City Wizards Become 1st MLS Club to Launch a Team-Specific “Boom” for Firefox Web Browsers
 
MLS Partnership with Innovative Web-Technology Company Brand Thunder Allows Fans to Remain Better Connected to Team Websites
 
(March 18, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards became the first Major League Soccer club to launch a team-themed Firefox web browser Wednesday through a partnership with innovative web-technology firm Brand Thunder. By using the “Boom,” as the plug-in is known, Firefox users will be able to navigate directly to key pages at kcwizards.com from anywhere on the web. Visit www.kcwizards.com/browser to download the Boom and see screen shots of a Firefox browser with the Wizards Boom installed.
 
“We are very proud to be the first MLS team to work with Brand Thunder on a custom Firefox Boom,” Wizards New Media Manager Kyle Rogers said. “Soccer supporters are technology-minded and have embraced all previous additions to our online portfolio from our official blog Hillcrest Road to the January launch of our Twitter page and our other social-media components. Our fans will also make great use of this new web-based feature.”
 
Kansas City’s Boom will include RSS feeds from kcwizards.com and hillcrestroadblog.com and links to the team’s social media pages on Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. Booms are lightweight active customizations that can include themes, toolbars, sidebars and other content or functionality.  Users can dynamically switch between Booms without restarting their browser. Other MLS clubs will produce their own customized Booms in the weeks to come, and MLS will create a Boom for League fans.
 
Kansas City begins the 2009 Major League Soccer season this Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT against Toronto FC at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. A limited number of single-game tickets for the Home Opener are still available, as are season ticket packages for 2009 that start as low as $180. Contact the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 for tickets or visit www.kcwizards.com. For individual tickets, contact Ticketmaster via phone at (816) 931-3330 or online at Ticketmaster.com.
 
About Brand Thunder
Formed in April 2007, Brand Thunder creates a more persistent presence between corporate brands and their Internet consumer through its branded-browser customization, which leads to increased website visits and revenue.  Through a software installation, end users change the look and feel of their Internet browser into an immersive experience from their favorite sports team, entertainment franchise or internet site.  The customized browsers feature official logos, colors, content and functionality, but can also extend capabilities including video, music players or other Internet widgets. Current business partners and clients include the Huffington Post, Major League Soccer, NASCAR, NCAA, NHL, Starpulse.com, Universal Music and Yahoo!. Samples can be found at http://brandthunder.com/gallery/.
 
About the Kansas City Wizards
In 2009, the Kansas City Wizards enter their fourteenth season in Major League Soccer (MLS) and the third full season under the innovative vision of Kansas City-based ownership group OnGoal. The organization possesses the drive to spearhead new ideas and make the Wizards the premier organization in MLS through an entrepreneurial spirit and first-class customer service.  Kansas City was introduced as one of the 10 charter members of MLS on June 6, 1995. The League continues to grow and will contain 15 teams in 2009 and 16 teams in 2010. The Wizards have captured two major championships in team history, the 2000 MLS Cup and the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup trophies. The Wizards continue to strive for excellence on and off the field and pride themselves on their ability to touch lives in the Midwest and make Kansas City a better place to live through philanthropic activities.

AG

Major League Soccer 2009 preview

Reardon to proclaim Kansas City Wizards Week

United Soccer Leagues Week in Review

Conrad’s fail-safe predictions for the 2009 MLS season

Do it Joe