Thursday, April 26, 2007

Wizards/Rain wash away TFC

The Canadians came into Kansas City, and were beat all over the field, as the Wizards went on to a 3-0 win over the expansion side. The Wizards started early, as Davy Arnaud picked out an overlapping Sasha Victorine who played the ball into the box, where it was headed in by Eddie Johnson, who has now equaled his goal output for all of last season in the first 3 games of this season, which is a good sign for Wizards fans. Through the rest of the half, Carlos Marinelli dictated much of the Wizards play, having a stellar match in his first MLS start. The Wizards though were unable to grab another goal. But unlike the first 2 games this season, the Wizards did not concede a goal in the first half, even though Toronto had some decent chances.

In the second half, Marinelli continued to dictate the tempo, but it was an unsung player who got goal number 2. Eddie Johnson drove into the box and has his shot saved by Sutton, the ball fell to Marinelli, who's volley was blocked on the line by TFC keeper Greg Sutton, the ball bounced right out to Kerry Zavagnin who settled, turned and put the ball into the far right corner for his first goal since the 2003 season, to make it 2-0 Wizards. The Wizards dominance continued, as Marinelli found Johnson again but his finish was off, and a Marinelli corner was headed into the cross bar by Jimmy Conrad. Finally in the 70th minute, the Wizards finished the game off. A long ball from Michael Harrington found Yura Movsisyan, who beat his defender then beat Sutton near side to make it 3-0.

The shutout by Kevin Hartman was his 63rd of his MLS career, giving him the all time shutouts record, passing former Wizard Tony Meola.

3 Stars of the Game
1. Carlos Marinelli - KC - Dictated possession for the entire game for KC, his passes were on all night and should have had 2 assists, setting up both Johnson and Conrad who didn't finish.
2. Kevin Hartman - KC - The Wizards keeper gets his first shutout of the season, the 63rd of his career, setting a new MLS record.
3. Eddie Johnson - KC - With his goal tonight he equaled his goal output for all of last season, and still looked dangerous the rest of the game, he made the 2nd goal happen with his drive into the box.

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