The Wizards continued their preseason tonight out at CAB in a game against NCAA Division 1 UMKC tonight in a friendly that Wizards season ticket holders were invited to. The Wizards started the game with a lineup almost exactly like the one used by the white team in last Thursday's intersquad scrimmage, but early on the game was back and forth as UMKC held their own. In fact they forced a very good kick save out of Jimmy Nielsen very early in the game. Things also got a little chippy as the half went on, with Davy Arnaud taking a hard foul that earned the UMKC player a yellow. Shortly after, Arnaud and another UMKC player saw yellow and we got a bit of a shoving match as Arnaud appeared to elbow the UMKC player trying to get a little retribution for the hard foul. The Wizards grabbed the lead late in the first 45 minute period as UMKC had some very lax defending as Ryan Smith took the ball right off the defenders own foot inside his own box, took a touch and slipped the ball past the keeper to give KC the lead.
The Wizards made only one change after 45 minutes with Pablo Escobar coming on for Jimmy Conrad. KC doubled their lead on a very nice play by Stephane Auvray after a through ball from Chance Myers. Auvray danced by a few defender in the box that sent the keeper the wrong way and Auvray slid the ball into the net to double the lead. KC began to really control the game more and more and UMKC got less of the ball. UMKC started to get more frustrated and Arnaud was once again fouled about 25 yards from goal. Arnaud stepped up on the free kick and put it off the post and into the net to the keepers right, a really nice free kick to make it 3-0. With KC continuing to dominate possession, UMKC loss a player to a second yellow card. They immediately replaced the player so the Wizards didn't play with a man advantage, but it showed the physicality that was taking place in the friendly. KC made it 4-0 before the end of the second 45 minute period as Michael Harrington streaked down the left and played a nice lofted cross where substitute Jonathan Leathers had time to place a looping header back across goal and over the head of the keeper into the net.
KC had made a few changes over the course of the second period, but made even more before the final period started. With UMKC not having as many players, the Wizards continued to be the team that controlled the game especially with the fresh legs. It did take a little while for those fresh legs to get underneath them in the offensive end, but finally Zoltan Hercegfalvi hit a rocket that made it 5-0. The ball only rarely got deep into KC's half as the period went on and KC continued to find ways into the Kangaroos box. Teal Bunbury got brought down on one of those runs being awarded a PK. Bunbury stepped up and placed the ball to the keepers left out of reach to make it 6-0. With less than 2 minutes left in the game, KC added the extra point as Santiago Hirsig knocked home a corner to give KC the 7-0 win.
Overall it was a good performance although the lack of goals in the first period against the college team was a little frustrating, still it was nice to see the team continue to play well and combine. Smith continues to be very impressive and Auvray really is a beast in the center of midfield, both these guys I think are going to have good seasons in MLS.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Rocastle Signed, Smith and Kostrov Official, More on Chhetri, and Pardo Waived
Quite a bit of player news from the Wizards today involving different players coming to and leaving Kansas City. First the Wizards have signed one of their latest trialists to a contract. While the rumors had been that Sunil Chhetri would be signing with KC, he's not the latest signing. Instead it's Craig Rocastle, the midfielder who came into camp around the same time as Chhetri. This move appears to be in the works for a week or so now. Rocastle has played for multiple English teams in his 9 year professional career, last playing with Forest Green Rovers. Of the moves the Wizards have made this preseason, this may be the one I am most underwhelmed with. Rocastle is on his 15th team in 10 years as a professional player, playing 174 for the previous 14 over the 9 years. He's also been going the wrong way down the table from his height at Chelsea as he was most recently playing in the English Conference, the 5th division in England. At 28 years old, the fact that he's not made his way back up the table is frustrating that we've gone and signed the player who 's better known as being the brother of David Rocastle. This move just doesn't make a lot of sense in my opinion.
Moving onto more official player signing news, news that had already been reported in other sources. That's the signing of midfielders Ryan Smith and Igor Kostrov. Smith has had an impressive preseason and appears to have won the starting left sided midfield spot, taking the place of Claudio Lopez. From what I've seen of Smith him and Espinoza are going to cause fits for teams down the Wizards left side, it was almost a seamless attack no matter which of the two was going forward. Kostrov had been with the Wizards for most of the team's preseason impressing enough to earn a contract. At this point it appears Kostrov will be coming off the bench playing anywhere in the midfield for the Wizards.
Yesterday I reported on the Wizards potential signing of Indian international, Sunil Chhetri. That news has continued today as more places pick up on the story making it appear more likely KC will be signing the striker. Some of the latest news talks about how Chhetri has an out clause in his contract with his I-League team that will allow him to leave to join the Wizards. While I'm a little cautious of this move as well based on where Chhetri has played, unlike Rocastle, Chhetri has at least consistently played at the top level and has been offered contracts with teams at high levels in England recently, unlike Rocastle.
Finally, the Wizards have parted ways with another former player, as the team has waived goalkeeper, Boris Pardo. Pardo had spent the past two years with the Wizards while the year before he was a league keeper and trained with Kansas City. In his 2 years with KC, Pardo appeared in one game for the Wizards, the team's 2009 US Open Cup game against the Minnesota Thunder. The Wizards won the game on penalty kicks in no small part due to Pardo who stopped 2 penalty kicks in the shoot out to put the Wizards through to the next round. He won man of the match for that performance. Also released was Louis Crayton. Neither of these moves is really surprising after the signings of Jimmy Nielsen and Eric Kronberg, while Pardo and Crayton were fighting for a roster spot their chances went far down with those signings.
Moving onto more official player signing news, news that had already been reported in other sources. That's the signing of midfielders Ryan Smith and Igor Kostrov. Smith has had an impressive preseason and appears to have won the starting left sided midfield spot, taking the place of Claudio Lopez. From what I've seen of Smith him and Espinoza are going to cause fits for teams down the Wizards left side, it was almost a seamless attack no matter which of the two was going forward. Kostrov had been with the Wizards for most of the team's preseason impressing enough to earn a contract. At this point it appears Kostrov will be coming off the bench playing anywhere in the midfield for the Wizards.
Yesterday I reported on the Wizards potential signing of Indian international, Sunil Chhetri. That news has continued today as more places pick up on the story making it appear more likely KC will be signing the striker. Some of the latest news talks about how Chhetri has an out clause in his contract with his I-League team that will allow him to leave to join the Wizards. While I'm a little cautious of this move as well based on where Chhetri has played, unlike Rocastle, Chhetri has at least consistently played at the top level and has been offered contracts with teams at high levels in England recently, unlike Rocastle.
Finally, the Wizards have parted ways with another former player, as the team has waived goalkeeper, Boris Pardo. Pardo had spent the past two years with the Wizards while the year before he was a league keeper and trained with Kansas City. In his 2 years with KC, Pardo appeared in one game for the Wizards, the team's 2009 US Open Cup game against the Minnesota Thunder. The Wizards won the game on penalty kicks in no small part due to Pardo who stopped 2 penalty kicks in the shoot out to put the Wizards through to the next round. He won man of the match for that performance. Also released was Louis Crayton. Neither of these moves is really surprising after the signings of Jimmy Nielsen and Eric Kronberg, while Pardo and Crayton were fighting for a roster spot their chances went far down with those signings.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
Chhetri Move Appearing Likely
It looks like the Wizards are definitely making a move to sign Indian national team player, Sunil Chhetri. Word out of India today is that Chhetri's I-League club, Dempo SC has released the striker so that he can make his move to MLS and the Kansas City Wizards. Chhetri will join what appears to be a growing strike force for KC. The Wizards already have Davy Arnaud, Teal Bunbury, Zoltan Hercegfalvi, Kei Kamara, and Josh Wolff as forwards. Adding Chhetri would give the Wizards another potential speed forward up top.
With the team's lack of scoring last season, I like that KC is bringing in more forwards. After the struggles in the middle of last season, the Wizards have brought in 3 new strikers (Bunbury, Hercegfalvi, and Kamara) so Peter Vermes obviously saw that area of the team as a position that needed some upgrading. The question now is who's going to make the starting position theirs. Right now it appears Arnaud and Wolff have that distinction, which is ok with me, but I'd personally rather have at least one "target" striker in there, a guy that can get on the end of crosses. That's the one thing I think was missing last Thursday in the intersquad scrimmage, the white team didn't have a guy that could hold the ball up back to goal really well. Chhetri, as I said, is a speed forward, so he wouldn't fill that gap, but I like that we continue to bring in other players to challenge for spots.
With the team's lack of scoring last season, I like that KC is bringing in more forwards. After the struggles in the middle of last season, the Wizards have brought in 3 new strikers (Bunbury, Hercegfalvi, and Kamara) so Peter Vermes obviously saw that area of the team as a position that needed some upgrading. The question now is who's going to make the starting position theirs. Right now it appears Arnaud and Wolff have that distinction, which is ok with me, but I'd personally rather have at least one "target" striker in there, a guy that can get on the end of crosses. That's the one thing I think was missing last Thursday in the intersquad scrimmage, the white team didn't have a guy that could hold the ball up back to goal really well. Chhetri, as I said, is a speed forward, so he wouldn't fill that gap, but I like that we continue to bring in other players to challenge for spots.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Open Tryout Call Backs
The first day of open tryouts finished up out at the Wizards Swope Park training complex and the Wizards have announced 47 players that have been invited back for the second day. I didn't make it out to the tryouts today due to weather and other commitments, I'll be out for a little bit of day 2 tomorrow though.
A couple of players that I mentioned earlier this week have been invited back for the second day of tryouts. Those names include Alain Matingou, Jose Ballesteros, Brendan Hanaphy, Jason Blocker, Cesar Zambrano, Mauricio Curiel Hernandez, Garrett Jahn, Jorge Faivre, Derek D'Agostino, Makai Werring, Sam Klos, Stiven Ospina, Addison Stonestreet, Tyler Kellogg, Vincent Torres, Yannick Araman, Robert Mueller, Paul Kihara, and Matt Stufflebeam. Along with Tshepo Edwin Mutlaneng and Dorian Caballero who tried out last year.
Did another look for the other players that made day two and found some that I missed, Ben Everson and Dominic Furness are from Davy Arnaud's alma mater, West Texas A&M. Charles Brooks played at UNC Wilmington. Found this video of Horace James. Another youtube video, this time of Josh Gable.
A couple of players that I mentioned earlier this week have been invited back for the second day of tryouts. Those names include Alain Matingou, Jose Ballesteros, Brendan Hanaphy, Jason Blocker, Cesar Zambrano, Mauricio Curiel Hernandez, Garrett Jahn, Jorge Faivre, Derek D'Agostino, Makai Werring, Sam Klos, Stiven Ospina, Addison Stonestreet, Tyler Kellogg, Vincent Torres, Yannick Araman, Robert Mueller, Paul Kihara, and Matt Stufflebeam. Along with Tshepo Edwin Mutlaneng and Dorian Caballero who tried out last year.
Did another look for the other players that made day two and found some that I missed, Ben Everson and Dominic Furness are from Davy Arnaud's alma mater, West Texas A&M. Charles Brooks played at UNC Wilmington. Found this video of Horace James. Another youtube video, this time of Josh Gable.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Wizards Win Intersquad Scrimmage
As was expected tonight, the Wizards won their game against, the Wizards. In a closed to the public scrimmage tonight out at CAB, the Wizards white defeated the Wizards blue 5-2. Chance Myers and Josh Wolff each had a brace while Ryan Smith added one. Blue got their goals from Kei Kamara and Teal Bunbury. Judging by the lineups I posted in the play-by-play posting, the white team would appear to be a likely starting lineup if the season starts on time. That team got a quick start with Myers opening the scoring in the 9th minute with his head off a cross from Michael Harrington after he worked a good sequence with Davy Arnaud. Harrington was involved in the second goal as well when he played in Wolff who got in front of his man enough to get a shot off that 5-holed Eric Kronberg in the blue net to double the lead in the 13th. Blue continued to dominate play, with Wolff having another goal called back for being offside. Blue did have some decent moments in the first half though, but didn't really test Jimmy Nielsen much. Their best chance in the first half came when Nielsen made a mess of a clearance, but recovered in time to keep Bunbury from scoring.
At half time, Jack Jewsbury (who is still recovering from offseason surgery) made way for Igor Kostrov. As the half wore on, Mauro Fuzetti came on for an injured Jonathan Leathers and Boris Pardo entered for Kronberg, but that was the extent of the subs. The rest of the players got their first 90 minute game of the season. Myers made it 3-0 in the 54th minute, and only a few minutes later Smith had to just tap the ball in after Arnaud had drawn the defenders to his side of the field making it 4-0. As the game wore on, both teams started to get tired and the game opened up a lot more with breaks for each time almost one after the other. During this time we got to see what Nielsen could do and he made some very good saves on shots by Graham Zusi and Kamara. You knew that blue was going to score the way the game was going, but it took a brilliant goal by Kamara to finally breach Nielsen's net. Kamara received the ball at the top of the penalty circle with his back to goal, faked to his right, cut back left, turned and hit a rocket into the upper 90 of Nielsen's near post. An amazing goal that left Nielsen with no chance, very nice.
White came back down the field immediately though and regained their 4 goal lead, as Myers was brought down in the box. Wolff stepped up and buried the PK making it 5-1. White continued to push for a 6th, with Wolff going wide and then having a shot nicely saved by Pardo. Bunbury finished off the scoring in the 86th. Kamara dribbled into the box, going at Harrington and turning him, Kamara picked out Bunbury about 10 yards from goal, he took a touch and shot, the ball deflected off the hand of Matt Besler, but still trickled into the net, as Nielsen had already committed himself the other way to try and save Bunbury's inital shot before it deflected.
Overall it was an impressive performance from both teams, even though the score appears lopsided. The Wizards are going to be extremely dangerous this year on the wings, Smith and Roger Espinoza did extremely well working together on their wing working 1-2s and overlapping runs. The same was true on the right for Myers and Harrington they're going to be threats all season. My one issue is I'd like a taller forward like Kamara on the field to get on the end of their crosses. Stephane Auvray and Birahim Diop controlled the center of midfield making it hard for blue to develop their attack. Zoltan Hercegfalvi for blue also had some very good moments in helping develop attacks for blue but couldn't get people on the end for shots. While Kamara showed a willingness to go at defender and try to beat them which is something the team sorely lacked last season.
Wizards Man of the Match - Ryan Smith - After seeing him tonight, I am becoming a big fan he looks extremely impressive. He's going to surprise a lot of teams I think, he's fast not just speed, but speed of play, he sees the field well and makes good decisions.
Honorable mention - Chance Myers, Josh Wolff, Kei Kamara
At half time, Jack Jewsbury (who is still recovering from offseason surgery) made way for Igor Kostrov. As the half wore on, Mauro Fuzetti came on for an injured Jonathan Leathers and Boris Pardo entered for Kronberg, but that was the extent of the subs. The rest of the players got their first 90 minute game of the season. Myers made it 3-0 in the 54th minute, and only a few minutes later Smith had to just tap the ball in after Arnaud had drawn the defenders to his side of the field making it 4-0. As the game wore on, both teams started to get tired and the game opened up a lot more with breaks for each time almost one after the other. During this time we got to see what Nielsen could do and he made some very good saves on shots by Graham Zusi and Kamara. You knew that blue was going to score the way the game was going, but it took a brilliant goal by Kamara to finally breach Nielsen's net. Kamara received the ball at the top of the penalty circle with his back to goal, faked to his right, cut back left, turned and hit a rocket into the upper 90 of Nielsen's near post. An amazing goal that left Nielsen with no chance, very nice.
White came back down the field immediately though and regained their 4 goal lead, as Myers was brought down in the box. Wolff stepped up and buried the PK making it 5-1. White continued to push for a 6th, with Wolff going wide and then having a shot nicely saved by Pardo. Bunbury finished off the scoring in the 86th. Kamara dribbled into the box, going at Harrington and turning him, Kamara picked out Bunbury about 10 yards from goal, he took a touch and shot, the ball deflected off the hand of Matt Besler, but still trickled into the net, as Nielsen had already committed himself the other way to try and save Bunbury's inital shot before it deflected.
Overall it was an impressive performance from both teams, even though the score appears lopsided. The Wizards are going to be extremely dangerous this year on the wings, Smith and Roger Espinoza did extremely well working together on their wing working 1-2s and overlapping runs. The same was true on the right for Myers and Harrington they're going to be threats all season. My one issue is I'd like a taller forward like Kamara on the field to get on the end of their crosses. Stephane Auvray and Birahim Diop controlled the center of midfield making it hard for blue to develop their attack. Zoltan Hercegfalvi for blue also had some very good moments in helping develop attacks for blue but couldn't get people on the end for shots. While Kamara showed a willingness to go at defender and try to beat them which is something the team sorely lacked last season.
Wizards Man of the Match - Ryan Smith - After seeing him tonight, I am becoming a big fan he looks extremely impressive. He's going to surprise a lot of teams I think, he's fast not just speed, but speed of play, he sees the field well and makes good decisions.
Honorable mention - Chance Myers, Josh Wolff, Kei Kamara
Strike Appears Much Closer
The start of the 2010 MLS season looks to be in deep jeopardy after all the news that has come out today regarding the collective bargaining agreement. For those that missed it, the players union has voted overwhelmingly in favor of supporting a strike. The final tally was 350+ to 2 in favor of supporting it. Quotes from players in different articles posted today don't sound too encouraging either, and form the sounds of it, the players are planning to walk out at midnight on March 25th, the day the season is supposed to kick off. The league and the players union have since gone back and forth trading comments about the recent news of a potential strike. The fans are getting stuck in the middle.
And while many people support the players and there want to have more freedom within the league, just as many seem to be support the owners. And with unemployment still hovering close to 10%, it's going to be hard for the players to win over some of those fans that support the owners. And for a history lesson on soccer strikes in this country, check out the end of this Sports Business Daily article for information on the NASL strike that was one of the reasons for the leagues demise. The quote from Steve Gans is very telling because it's still as true today as it was then, "not enough people cared about it to keep the momentum going. The critical mass wasn’t there; there weren’t enough roots set down." Hopefully a strike doesn't happen, but at this point I'm not holding my breath on that.
And while many people support the players and there want to have more freedom within the league, just as many seem to be support the owners. And with unemployment still hovering close to 10%, it's going to be hard for the players to win over some of those fans that support the owners. And for a history lesson on soccer strikes in this country, check out the end of this Sports Business Daily article for information on the NASL strike that was one of the reasons for the leagues demise. The quote from Steve Gans is very telling because it's still as true today as it was then, "not enough people cared about it to keep the momentum going. The critical mass wasn’t there; there weren’t enough roots set down." Hopefully a strike doesn't happen, but at this point I'm not holding my breath on that.
Chhetri Close to Contract
Word out of India today is that the Wizards are close to signing Indian national team forward Sunil Chhetri. Chhetri had trained with the Wizards down in Arizona, but has since returned to India. According to the report, though, Chhetri is close to securing a contract with KC. Chhetri had been on Celtic's radar and was close to signing with Coventry City and QPR but work permit issues got in the way. Chhetri would join a growing list of new international players in KC if he ends up signing.
Wizards Scrimmage Play-by-Play
In the Wizards press box getting ready to watch the Wizards closed door scrimmage. Play-by-play will be in this thread.
Lineups
Second half is under way.
48th minute, both sides have had chances, Arnaud tries for the glory shot from long range, well high and wide.
50th, Kraus with a nice tackle on Arnaud, springs a counter, Kamara shot deflected wide. Header over the bar.
52nd, blue getting more pressure. Now, earning a corner. Someone is down right now behind the boards, can't see who.
53rd, there has been a sub for blue, Kostrov or Fuzetti is in for blue Jewsbury is out.
54th, 3-0 white, Myers with the goal.
55th, another sub as whoever was hurt behind the goal is limping off.
57th, 4-0 white, Smith from Arnaud with an open goal. And it appears that Leathers went off hurt.
58th, Kraus tries to beat Harrington, but can't get past.
59th, shot wide by Fuzetti.
60th, first really nice reaction save by Nielsen, good reflexes to stop Zusi.
60th, white back down the field, Smith rounds Kronberg but puts it how.
63rd, Smith just off side on a fast break.
64th, Smith with a low cross, just too far out in front of Arnaud, Kronberg collects.
66th, Smith tries to cross over Kraus, earns a corner.
67th, on the corner Myers just misses
68th, Teal with a good turn, but shots right at Nielsen.
69th, Pardo on for Kronberg.
70th, good break by white, crosses is too far in front of Arnaud, but too far from Pardo, goes through the box.
71st, K finds Bunbury who beats his defender but then takes 1 too many touches and Conrad recovers.
72nd, GOAL, blue, Kamara gets the ball at the top of the circle, turns and fires a rocket that beats Nielsen near side, 4-1.
73rd, white back down the field, earns a PK when Myers facing away from the goal is fouled.
74th GOAL! white, Wolff from the spot, 5-1.
76th, getting a little chippy now, a few unneeded fouls, white with a free kick from 20 out to Pardo's left is headed just wide by Diop.
78th, Bunbury with a shot that hits Nielsen in the chest and is chested back to him by Conrad.
78th, Wolff with a volley just wide after a flick by Smith.
79th, blue with good possession, getting some crosses in but not getting on the end of it.
81st, blue earns another corner. Diop clears and then a foul on blue about 18 yards out.
82nd, free kick is off the wall. and then goes out for a goal kick
84th, Pardo with a nice save on Wolff for a corner. Pardo claims the corner.
86th, Kamara goes at Harrington, turns him, gets into box, crosses to Bunbury, shot is deflected on the way in off Besler's hand but still goes past Nielsen into the net. 5-2.
87th, blue continues to be dominate team right now, earns a corner after Bunbury misses from close range.
88th, white earns a corner after a through ball by Diop is deflected out.
88th, white plays short and holds in the corner, earns a foul.
89th, Kamara earns fast break, plays wide to Zusi who gets in box and shots at Nielsen, who parries shot high.
90th, blue tries to break one more time, but shot is blocked, and that's game, 5-2 final with white winning the game.
That's game, good performance by the first team, a little lax late with the lead and let blue get some goals, but a good performance overall, full write up coming tonight.
Lineups
White
Nielsen
Harrington - Conrad - Besler - Espinoza
Myers - Diop - Auvray - Smith
Wolff - Arnaud
Blue
Hercegfalvi - Bunbury
Zusi - Hirsig - Jewsbury - Kamara
Aiyegbusi - Hohlbein - Leathers - Kraus
Kronberg
Nielsen
Harrington - Conrad - Besler - Espinoza
Myers - Diop - Auvray - Smith
Wolff - Arnaud
Blue
Hercegfalvi - Bunbury
Zusi - Hirsig - Jewsbury - Kamara
Aiyegbusi - Hohlbein - Leathers - Kraus
Kronberg
Game is on, white is controling most of play. Wolff pushed a chance wide.
Harrington down the left, cross in, but Kronberg claims it.
9th GOAL! White, Harrington to Myers, give Arnaud the secondary assist.
I got my stopwatch started late so the times are guesses.
13th Goal! White, Wolff gets in on the right on a play from Harrington, 1v1 with Kronberg, 5 holed him to make it 2-0 White.
Corner kick to white after another play in from the right. Harrington takes it low and it's cleared.
16th, Blue gets in on goal but is called offside.
19th, Nielsen makes a bit of a mess of the play, it goes to Bunbury who can't finish. Blue getting better possession now.
21st, Blue with a good string of possession right now, no real chances from it, but it's making the game look better.
22nd, Smith fouled about 35 yards out from goal after a nice run, Arnaud over it, plays it in, Kamara heads back to Kronberg.
24th, blue deep in white's territory, foul 22 yards from goal.
25th, Kamara takes and puts it over the bar.
27th, Wolff plays in Myers whose first touch lets him down, white wins it back and is still controlling.
28th, Wolff with another shot just wide.
29th, Myers again played in nicely but about 18 yards from goal his touch again lets him down and Leathers catches him.
31st, good one two between Smith and Espinoza, Espinoza gets a cross in but Kronberg claims.
32nd, more great work down the left by Espinoza and Smith, Smith with the cross, Wolff heads back into the path of Arnaud whose shot was right at Kronberg.
34th, good work by white, little lofted back into the box, but Diop is a step off.
35th, cross in by blue, easily claimed by Nielsen.
35th, little shoving match between Jimmy and Teal I believe.
36th, free kick by blue easily claimed by Nielsen.
37th, cross in from right Diop heads over the bar.
38th, Smith with good speed down the line cross too deep for Wolff, Myers with a bad cross back in. White back down the left, earn a deep throw.
40th, Teal tries to beat 3 guys while going on goal, can't get by.
40th, White right back down the field, Myers pass to Wolff is deflected back to Myers who finds Wolff, Wolff scores but it's call back for offside.
41st, back and forth now, corner for blue, cleared fast break by white cleaned up, Besler with a foul to the left of Nielsen's goal.
42nd, free kick deflected wide for a corner, taken short and cleared.
43rd, blue deep in white territory, good work but no real dangerous shots.
44th, Wolff now on the left, Smith up top.
45th, that's half time, 2-0 white.
Harrington down the left, cross in, but Kronberg claims it.
9th GOAL! White, Harrington to Myers, give Arnaud the secondary assist.
I got my stopwatch started late so the times are guesses.
13th Goal! White, Wolff gets in on the right on a play from Harrington, 1v1 with Kronberg, 5 holed him to make it 2-0 White.
Corner kick to white after another play in from the right. Harrington takes it low and it's cleared.
16th, Blue gets in on goal but is called offside.
19th, Nielsen makes a bit of a mess of the play, it goes to Bunbury who can't finish. Blue getting better possession now.
21st, Blue with a good string of possession right now, no real chances from it, but it's making the game look better.
22nd, Smith fouled about 35 yards out from goal after a nice run, Arnaud over it, plays it in, Kamara heads back to Kronberg.
24th, blue deep in white's territory, foul 22 yards from goal.
25th, Kamara takes and puts it over the bar.
27th, Wolff plays in Myers whose first touch lets him down, white wins it back and is still controlling.
28th, Wolff with another shot just wide.
29th, Myers again played in nicely but about 18 yards from goal his touch again lets him down and Leathers catches him.
31st, good one two between Smith and Espinoza, Espinoza gets a cross in but Kronberg claims.
32nd, more great work down the left by Espinoza and Smith, Smith with the cross, Wolff heads back into the path of Arnaud whose shot was right at Kronberg.
34th, good work by white, little lofted back into the box, but Diop is a step off.
35th, cross in by blue, easily claimed by Nielsen.
35th, little shoving match between Jimmy and Teal I believe.
36th, free kick by blue easily claimed by Nielsen.
37th, cross in from right Diop heads over the bar.
38th, Smith with good speed down the line cross too deep for Wolff, Myers with a bad cross back in. White back down the left, earn a deep throw.
40th, Teal tries to beat 3 guys while going on goal, can't get by.
40th, White right back down the field, Myers pass to Wolff is deflected back to Myers who finds Wolff, Wolff scores but it's call back for offside.
41st, back and forth now, corner for blue, cleared fast break by white cleaned up, Besler with a foul to the left of Nielsen's goal.
42nd, free kick deflected wide for a corner, taken short and cleared.
43rd, blue deep in white territory, good work but no real dangerous shots.
44th, Wolff now on the left, Smith up top.
45th, that's half time, 2-0 white.
Second half is under way.
48th minute, both sides have had chances, Arnaud tries for the glory shot from long range, well high and wide.
50th, Kraus with a nice tackle on Arnaud, springs a counter, Kamara shot deflected wide. Header over the bar.
52nd, blue getting more pressure. Now, earning a corner. Someone is down right now behind the boards, can't see who.
53rd, there has been a sub for blue, Kostrov or Fuzetti is in for blue Jewsbury is out.
54th, 3-0 white, Myers with the goal.
55th, another sub as whoever was hurt behind the goal is limping off.
57th, 4-0 white, Smith from Arnaud with an open goal. And it appears that Leathers went off hurt.
58th, Kraus tries to beat Harrington, but can't get past.
59th, shot wide by Fuzetti.
60th, first really nice reaction save by Nielsen, good reflexes to stop Zusi.
60th, white back down the field, Smith rounds Kronberg but puts it how.
63rd, Smith just off side on a fast break.
64th, Smith with a low cross, just too far out in front of Arnaud, Kronberg collects.
66th, Smith tries to cross over Kraus, earns a corner.
67th, on the corner Myers just misses
68th, Teal with a good turn, but shots right at Nielsen.
69th, Pardo on for Kronberg.
70th, good break by white, crosses is too far in front of Arnaud, but too far from Pardo, goes through the box.
71st, K finds Bunbury who beats his defender but then takes 1 too many touches and Conrad recovers.
72nd, GOAL, blue, Kamara gets the ball at the top of the circle, turns and fires a rocket that beats Nielsen near side, 4-1.
73rd, white back down the field, earns a PK when Myers facing away from the goal is fouled.
74th GOAL! white, Wolff from the spot, 5-1.
76th, getting a little chippy now, a few unneeded fouls, white with a free kick from 20 out to Pardo's left is headed just wide by Diop.
78th, Bunbury with a shot that hits Nielsen in the chest and is chested back to him by Conrad.
78th, Wolff with a volley just wide after a flick by Smith.
79th, blue with good possession, getting some crosses in but not getting on the end of it.
81st, blue earns another corner. Diop clears and then a foul on blue about 18 yards out.
82nd, free kick is off the wall. and then goes out for a goal kick
84th, Pardo with a nice save on Wolff for a corner. Pardo claims the corner.
86th, Kamara goes at Harrington, turns him, gets into box, crosses to Bunbury, shot is deflected on the way in off Besler's hand but still goes past Nielsen into the net. 5-2.
87th, blue continues to be dominate team right now, earns a corner after Bunbury misses from close range.
88th, white earns a corner after a through ball by Diop is deflected out.
88th, white plays short and holds in the corner, earns a foul.
89th, Kamara earns fast break, plays wide to Zusi who gets in box and shots at Nielsen, who parries shot high.
90th, blue tries to break one more time, but shot is blocked, and that's game, 5-2 final with white winning the game.
That's game, good performance by the first team, a little lax late with the lead and let blue get some goals, but a good performance overall, full write up coming tonight.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Former Wizards Update
Another week of former Wizards updates, the indoor season is winding down, but the spring starting leagues are coming around with Chris Konopka and Yura Movsisyan joining the list with their seasons beginning. Elsewhere on the field, Herculez Gomez continues his very good run of form scoring another goal for Puebla. Kevin Hartman has joined the former Wizards list with his trade to Dallas. Also in Dallas, but not the MLS team, is Jose Burciaga who has become the owner/GM/player for Texas League Soccer team, Los Lobos FC.
Indoor
Sean Bowers - San Diego - Defeated Vitesse Dallas 11-7 in the US Arena Open Cup.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Played in Baltimore's 12-8 win over Philadelphia on Friday. Played in Baltimore's 12-11 win over Monterrey Saturday.
Vicente Figueroa - California - Did not have a game this week.
Paul Wright - San Diego - Defeated Vitesse Dallas 11-7 in the US Arena Open Cup.
International
Eloy Colombano - Ferrocarril Sud - Argentina - Started and played 59 minutes in Ferrocarril's 3-1 winn over Independiente Tandil
Herculez Gomez - Puebla FC - Mexico - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Puebla's 4-1 loss to UNAM.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Played in Harbour View's 3-2 win over Rivoli United.
Will John - NK Vinogradar - Croatia - Lost 1-0 to Segesta.
Eddie Johnson - Aris FC - Greece - Came off the bench and played 10 minutes in Aris' 1-1 draw with Kavala.
Chris Konopka - Waterford United - Ireland - Started and played 90 minutes recording the shut out in Waterford's 3-0 win over Wexford Youths.
Carlos Marinelli - CA Aldosivi - Argentina - Started and played 90 minutes in Aldosivi's 2-0 loss to Olimpo. Started and played 57 minutes inn Aldosivi's 2-0 winn over All Boys.
Yura Movsisyan - Randers FC - Denmark - Started and played 90 minutes in Randers 0-0 draw with Esbjerg.
Akeem Priestly - FK Mughan - Azerbaijan - Did not have a game this past week.
Matt Taylor - FSV Frankfurt - Germany - Did not dress in Frankfurt's 1-1 draw with Kaiserslautern.
Ivan Trujillo - Deportes Quindío - Columbia - Did not play in Quindío's 1-0 loss to Cúcuta Deportivo.
Diego Walsh - Wellington Phoenix - Australia - Came off the bench in the 109th minute, playing the final 11 minutes in Wellington's 3-1 win over the Newcastle Jets in the Minor Semifinal.
Indoor
Sean Bowers - San Diego - Defeated Vitesse Dallas 11-7 in the US Arena Open Cup.
Pat Healey - Baltimore - Played in Baltimore's 12-8 win over Philadelphia on Friday. Played in Baltimore's 12-11 win over Monterrey Saturday.
Vicente Figueroa - California - Did not have a game this week.
Paul Wright - San Diego - Defeated Vitesse Dallas 11-7 in the US Arena Open Cup.
International
Eloy Colombano - Ferrocarril Sud - Argentina - Started and played 59 minutes in Ferrocarril's 3-1 winn over Independiente Tandil
Herculez Gomez - Puebla FC - Mexico - Started and played 90 minutes, scoring a goal in Puebla's 4-1 loss to UNAM.
Jermaine Hue - Harbour View - Jamaica - Played in Harbour View's 3-2 win over Rivoli United.
Will John - NK Vinogradar - Croatia - Lost 1-0 to Segesta.
Eddie Johnson - Aris FC - Greece - Came off the bench and played 10 minutes in Aris' 1-1 draw with Kavala.
Chris Konopka - Waterford United - Ireland - Started and played 90 minutes recording the shut out in Waterford's 3-0 win over Wexford Youths.
Carlos Marinelli - CA Aldosivi - Argentina - Started and played 90 minutes in Aldosivi's 2-0 loss to Olimpo. Started and played 57 minutes inn Aldosivi's 2-0 winn over All Boys.
Yura Movsisyan - Randers FC - Denmark - Started and played 90 minutes in Randers 0-0 draw with Esbjerg.
Akeem Priestly - FK Mughan - Azerbaijan - Did not have a game this past week.
Matt Taylor - FSV Frankfurt - Germany - Did not dress in Frankfurt's 1-1 draw with Kaiserslautern.
Ivan Trujillo - Deportes Quindío - Columbia - Did not play in Quindío's 1-0 loss to Cúcuta Deportivo.
Diego Walsh - Wellington Phoenix - Australia - Came off the bench in the 109th minute, playing the final 11 minutes in Wellington's 3-1 win over the Newcastle Jets in the Minor Semifinal.
Tuesday, March 09, 2010
Podcast for 3/6/10
Last Friday Thad and I recorded the latest edition of the Game, Set, Match Report (we are looking for a new name). We talked more about the CBA negotiations, the Wizards new TV deal with KCWE, the Wizards continued preseason results and the upcoming St. Louis games, we finished up by discussing more of the Wizards roster moves that they continue to make this preseason. The podcast was divided into two parts (part 1, part 2).
FYI Thad and I have been noticing an issue with not hearing the whole thing when you play it on the site, but if you download it, you get the whole thing. If you got any name suggestions or if you know of a good site to host podcasts, please let us know.
FYI Thad and I have been noticing an issue with not hearing the whole thing when you play it on the site, but if you download it, you get the whole thing. If you got any name suggestions or if you know of a good site to host podcasts, please let us know.
Kings Fall Short at Nationals
The KC Kings made another good showing at the PASL Premier finals, but unfortunately once again the team fell short of the title, this year losing in the semifinals to the LA Bolts. In group play the Kings defeated the Bolts 10-1 and lost to Vitesse Dallas 5-3. Due to Alamo City not making it to the finals, the Kings got a bye into the quarterfinals where they defeated Ft. Collins 7-1 setting up a rematch with the Bolts. Unfortunately for the Kings, the Bolts had gotten their legs under them and put up a fight defeating the Kings in a shootout after drawing 2-2 in regulation.
This came after the Kings had to forfeit their US Open Cup Arena game against 1790 Cincinnati Express due to travel. The tournament as a whole that I've seen since following it is that the tournament was a complete clusterf*ck of a tournament.
This came after the Kings had to forfeit their US Open Cup Arena game against 1790 Cincinnati Express due to travel. The tournament as a whole that I've seen since following it is that the tournament was a complete clusterf*ck of a tournament.
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