Saturday, May 05, 2007

Jose, Jose Jose Jose

Kansas City continued their good form as of late, as they downed the previously unbeaten Crew 1-0 at Arrowhead Stadium this afternoon. The Wizards were able to control much of the flow of the game, carrying possession and keeping the Crew of mounting many attacks in the first half. Kansas City for it's efforts though had nothing to show for it. They did have a few chances, particularly Eddie Johnson who had a shot destined for the corner cleared away by a defender in the first half. The first half was also marred by some vicious challenges. Both Ricardo Virtuoso and Danny O'Rourke saw yellow for hard challenges on both Jimmy Conrad and Kerry Zavagnin.

In the second half, Columbus was able to get more of the play, and got 3 good chances for it. The first was on a slow ball through the middle that Hartman called off the defenders to clear. The problem was, he cleared it right into a Columbus player, luckily the ball did not have enough pace on it off the Crew player and Jack was able to pick it off. The other 2 chances came on breaks down KC's right side, one from Eddie Gaven that he put into the post and then off Jack Jewsbury for a corner. The second from new Crew signing Guillermo Barros Schelotto as he picked up a very poor back pass from Jimmy Conrad and forced Hartman into a save at the near post. Finally just before second half stoppage time, Jose Burciaga received a ball in the middle of the field, dribbled to his left, was able to cut onto his left just outside the box, and the ball low and to the left of Crew goalie Andy Gruenebaum to give the Wizards the only goal they'd need.

3 Stars of the Game
1. Kerry Zavagnin - KC - Played hard nosed and tackled well, also had a nice looking shot saved by Gruenebaum in the first half.
2. Jose Burciaga - KC - The game winning goal and a good performance defensively, as his continued work in that area of his game can be clearly seen on the field.
3. Andy Gruenebaum - Crew - The KC product is having a very good season so far, he's playing with confidence and is not allowing many goals, he's gonna do well in this league.

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