It's just more exciting, in my opinion. Shots of the fans, goal celebrations, stats comparing two big stars, announcers who seem excited about the match itself.
Highlights of the Crew/Wizards match in English.
Highlights in the language that does it right.
Showing posts with label Wizards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Wizards. Show all posts
Friday, July 18, 2008
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Crew/Wizards running blog
The Crew are still near the top of their conference, while the Wizards are at the other end. Nothing is promised in MLS, though, so lets follow the bouncing ball.
Kickoff!
Wizards
* 1 - Kevin Hartman (GK)
* 2 - Michael Harrington
* 6 - Lance Watson
* 7 - Claudio Lopez
* 9 - Sasha Victorine
* 11 - Kurt Morsink
* 12 - Jimmy Conrad
* 14 - Jack Jewsbury
* 15 - Aaron Hohlbein
* 17 - Roger Espinoza
* 22 - Davy Arnaud
Crew
* 1 - William Hesmer (GK)
* 2 - Frankie Hejduk
* 5 - Danny O'Rourke
* 6 - Andy Iro
* 7 - Guillermo Barros Schelotto
* 10 - Alejandro Moreno
* 14 - Chad Marshall
* 15 - Stefani Miglioranzi
* 16 - Brian Carroll
* 17 - Emmanuel Ekpo
* 19 - Robbie Rogers
1 - Moreno offside almost immediately. Who will take a bet that he gets five of those this match?
3 - Wolff is on the bench - looks like old times for the boys in blue.
5 - Hejduk looks like a hyperactive lion with that hair. Somehow, it works for him.
6 - AleMo is appealing for a handball, but the replay is a poor angle and inconclusive.
8 - Yikes, what did Harrington do to his hair? He looks like Johnny Rotten. The punk platinum makes his eyes look buggy.
10 - Harkes is talking about his West Ham days. It's pretty boring, but so far, the game's not much better.
11 - Teams are testing each other out - Hejduk can't save a ball from rolling out of bounds.
12 - Schellotto gets caught by Holbein, who basically can't check his run after Schellotto bring the ball down.
13 - AleMo beats a defender, but bends an easy cross into Hartman's gloves.
14 - Lopez passes to space, but Watson leaves the space empty.
16 - Ekpo looks great when he has room, not so much when he runs into traffic.
17 - Rogers! He gets a flick pass from AleMo and races into the box, where a quick cutback shakes his defender and then he cracks a shot - wide, but not by a lot.
18 - Now both teams have settled down and are creating chances. Lopez is talking a lot on TV. I'm not sure to whom, though, since he's obviously speaking Spanish, but besides Espinoza, his teammates probably don't understand much.
20 - Harrington and Hejduk are having a hair battle - is the bleach bottle or the length superior? We shall see who will claim the victory.
21 - Arnaud is fouled by Ekpo near the corner of the box. Appetizing for Lopez here. Arnaud takes it, though, Crew clear.
22 - GOAL! Hejduk's lion locks have let him down. Morsink serves the Crew clearance right back into the box, where Sasha Victorine is well-positioned between two Crew defenders, Hejduk and O'Rourke, to fight for the header. Hejduk leaps for it, but sends it into his own net. 1-0 Wizards
24 - GOAL! Wizards score their own! Espinoza gets on to the end of a skipping Jewsbury cross, just beating Marshall to the ball. 2-0 Wizards.
26 - GOAL! Crew set up a FK and take it quickly. Schellotto loops it over the wall and into the sidenetting past Hartman's gloves. 2-1 Wizards still lead, but their two-goal advantage has vanished.
28 - Hejduk shows Samson-like strength on an outside shot that is way, way high.
32 - Rogers is down in the box and Abbe Okulaja lets it go. Of course. It's Abbe. Harkes disagrees with the non-call. Rogers as well, but more vehemently and probably with more profanity involved.
33 - GOAL! Rogers springs Schellotto behind the defense on the wing, who holds the ball into the box, then releases the ball for AleMo, who gets a little bit on the ball as his KC defender goes down on a tackle. But the ball blips to the right of Hartman, headed toward the net. Hartman scrambles and just gets a glove on the ball to shovel it away from goal, but right to the feet of AleMo, who had sprung back up. AleMo gets the easiest of finished for the tying goal 2-2.
35 - Hesmer saves an outside shot.
38 - GOAL! Crew corner - Schellotto serves the ball in and Marshall beats Conrad to the ball, diving to finish it into the roof of the goal. Columbus leads. 3-2.
40 - Rogers yellow carded for a tackle from behind.
42 - Harkes mentions Harrington's hair. He also thinks that it might be "psyching him out" instead of helping. Well, it seemed to help at 2-0. Not so much at 2-3. Hejduk's lion locks have struck back.
43 - Ekpo and Conrad down after a collision.
45 - As Jimmy rises, JP mentions that Jimmy writes for espn.com. Hey, that's almost a shout-out to me. Sorta. I write for espn.com, too.
45 + FK for the Crew who are keeping the pressure on the Wizards. Schellotto is tricky by sending the ball square for Carroll, whose shot is blocked back.
Halftime!
Kansas City came out racing, but then the momentum shifted drastically. Now the Wizards look stunned. The Crew deserve their lead, but they got a bit lucky with the bounce on the second goal. No matter. They also refused to let the early deficit discourage them and roared back with three unanswered goals.
48 - Wolff is in for the second half for the Wizards.
49 - Schellotto with a shot, but Hartman stops it and the offside flag was up anyway.
53 - Wolff is already back to his old form - getting into good positions, but not getting a shot off.
54 - AleMo misses on a diving header. He protests that he was held.
55 - Hejduk on the break, getting a pass from Ekpo, Frankie is alone on goal but Hartman snuff the shot.
58 - KC with a corner chance. Lopez has to deal with a few streamers, but nothing like the showers of before. Crew clear.
59 - Another corner. This one looks like it has a chance, but the Crew clear again and then Ekpo is cleared by a Morsink tackle. Yellow.
69 - Hartman! Save. He's keeping KC in the game. He has 70 saves this season.
72 - Schellotto takes down Jewsbury and sees yellow. Harkes goes on an Etcheverry soliloquy. He manages to bring DC into games even when they aren't playing. Also, as Harkes goes on about how much better Etch is than Guille, I recall the final days of Marco in MLS. They weren't pretty much of the time.
76 - GOAL! Hartman's saves were not in vain! Morsink with a great field crossing pass to Jewsbury, who remains calm as O'Rourke leaps and misses the ball. Jewsbury brings it down, moves into the box and slides the ball in front of goal perfectly, leaving Wolff with a tap in. 3-3 Even.
79 - Lopez in the box! He gets a shot off at a tough angle, but it doesn't quite go in.
80 - Ryan Pore comes in for Roger Espinoza.
81 - Who called Crew/Wizards to be the game that lights up ESPN Thursdays? Victorine shoots from outside, bangs the boards.
84 - The shift now is for Kansas City, and it's the Crew who look a bit shaky now.
85 - So the Crew turn to their lucky charm - Steve Lenhard, and he replaces Miglioranzi. Lenhart has the knack for late-game goals, but he can't catch up to a long pass from Schellotto.
86 - The Wizards turn to that blue-eyed midfield maestro, Kerry Zavagnin.
87 - Conrad's head gets pulled by Lenhart as he latches on to a ball, gets his goal called back for the foul.
88 - Shoving breaks out in front of Abbe as the Crew set up for a FK. The Wizards clear, Zavagnin finding Wolff on the outlet run.
90 - Carroll down in the box, trying to meet a Schellotto pass. Abbe waves off the contact.
90+ Again the tides of fortune have shifted - the Crew have the late attacks. The Wizards complicate a clearance and Rogers gets fouled. A FK for the Crew. It leads to a corner. Iro goes up for it, but Iro doesn't get good direction on it, popping it over the goal.
Final whistle!
A draw is probably a fair result, but it also means that KC still doesn't really advance very far up the table, though they continue their unbeaten streak.
I guess the hairdos of Harrington and Hejduk cancelled each other out - neither claimed supremacy.
Kickoff!
Wizards
* 1 - Kevin Hartman (GK)
* 2 - Michael Harrington
* 6 - Lance Watson
* 7 - Claudio Lopez
* 9 - Sasha Victorine
* 11 - Kurt Morsink
* 12 - Jimmy Conrad
* 14 - Jack Jewsbury
* 15 - Aaron Hohlbein
* 17 - Roger Espinoza
* 22 - Davy Arnaud
Crew
* 1 - William Hesmer (GK)
* 2 - Frankie Hejduk
* 5 - Danny O'Rourke
* 6 - Andy Iro
* 7 - Guillermo Barros Schelotto
* 10 - Alejandro Moreno
* 14 - Chad Marshall
* 15 - Stefani Miglioranzi
* 16 - Brian Carroll
* 17 - Emmanuel Ekpo
* 19 - Robbie Rogers
1 - Moreno offside almost immediately. Who will take a bet that he gets five of those this match?
3 - Wolff is on the bench - looks like old times for the boys in blue.
5 - Hejduk looks like a hyperactive lion with that hair. Somehow, it works for him.
6 - AleMo is appealing for a handball, but the replay is a poor angle and inconclusive.
8 - Yikes, what did Harrington do to his hair? He looks like Johnny Rotten. The punk platinum makes his eyes look buggy.
10 - Harkes is talking about his West Ham days. It's pretty boring, but so far, the game's not much better.
11 - Teams are testing each other out - Hejduk can't save a ball from rolling out of bounds.
12 - Schellotto gets caught by Holbein, who basically can't check his run after Schellotto bring the ball down.
13 - AleMo beats a defender, but bends an easy cross into Hartman's gloves.
14 - Lopez passes to space, but Watson leaves the space empty.
16 - Ekpo looks great when he has room, not so much when he runs into traffic.
17 - Rogers! He gets a flick pass from AleMo and races into the box, where a quick cutback shakes his defender and then he cracks a shot - wide, but not by a lot.
18 - Now both teams have settled down and are creating chances. Lopez is talking a lot on TV. I'm not sure to whom, though, since he's obviously speaking Spanish, but besides Espinoza, his teammates probably don't understand much.
20 - Harrington and Hejduk are having a hair battle - is the bleach bottle or the length superior? We shall see who will claim the victory.
21 - Arnaud is fouled by Ekpo near the corner of the box. Appetizing for Lopez here. Arnaud takes it, though, Crew clear.
22 - GOAL! Hejduk's lion locks have let him down. Morsink serves the Crew clearance right back into the box, where Sasha Victorine is well-positioned between two Crew defenders, Hejduk and O'Rourke, to fight for the header. Hejduk leaps for it, but sends it into his own net. 1-0 Wizards
24 - GOAL! Wizards score their own! Espinoza gets on to the end of a skipping Jewsbury cross, just beating Marshall to the ball. 2-0 Wizards.
26 - GOAL! Crew set up a FK and take it quickly. Schellotto loops it over the wall and into the sidenetting past Hartman's gloves. 2-1 Wizards still lead, but their two-goal advantage has vanished.
28 - Hejduk shows Samson-like strength on an outside shot that is way, way high.
32 - Rogers is down in the box and Abbe Okulaja lets it go. Of course. It's Abbe. Harkes disagrees with the non-call. Rogers as well, but more vehemently and probably with more profanity involved.
33 - GOAL! Rogers springs Schellotto behind the defense on the wing, who holds the ball into the box, then releases the ball for AleMo, who gets a little bit on the ball as his KC defender goes down on a tackle. But the ball blips to the right of Hartman, headed toward the net. Hartman scrambles and just gets a glove on the ball to shovel it away from goal, but right to the feet of AleMo, who had sprung back up. AleMo gets the easiest of finished for the tying goal 2-2.
35 - Hesmer saves an outside shot.
38 - GOAL! Crew corner - Schellotto serves the ball in and Marshall beats Conrad to the ball, diving to finish it into the roof of the goal. Columbus leads. 3-2.
40 - Rogers yellow carded for a tackle from behind.
42 - Harkes mentions Harrington's hair. He also thinks that it might be "psyching him out" instead of helping. Well, it seemed to help at 2-0. Not so much at 2-3. Hejduk's lion locks have struck back.
43 - Ekpo and Conrad down after a collision.
45 - As Jimmy rises, JP mentions that Jimmy writes for espn.com. Hey, that's almost a shout-out to me. Sorta. I write for espn.com, too.
45 + FK for the Crew who are keeping the pressure on the Wizards. Schellotto is tricky by sending the ball square for Carroll, whose shot is blocked back.
Halftime!
Kansas City came out racing, but then the momentum shifted drastically. Now the Wizards look stunned. The Crew deserve their lead, but they got a bit lucky with the bounce on the second goal. No matter. They also refused to let the early deficit discourage them and roared back with three unanswered goals.
48 - Wolff is in for the second half for the Wizards.
49 - Schellotto with a shot, but Hartman stops it and the offside flag was up anyway.
53 - Wolff is already back to his old form - getting into good positions, but not getting a shot off.
54 - AleMo misses on a diving header. He protests that he was held.
55 - Hejduk on the break, getting a pass from Ekpo, Frankie is alone on goal but Hartman snuff the shot.
58 - KC with a corner chance. Lopez has to deal with a few streamers, but nothing like the showers of before. Crew clear.
59 - Another corner. This one looks like it has a chance, but the Crew clear again and then Ekpo is cleared by a Morsink tackle. Yellow.
69 - Hartman! Save. He's keeping KC in the game. He has 70 saves this season.
72 - Schellotto takes down Jewsbury and sees yellow. Harkes goes on an Etcheverry soliloquy. He manages to bring DC into games even when they aren't playing. Also, as Harkes goes on about how much better Etch is than Guille, I recall the final days of Marco in MLS. They weren't pretty much of the time.
76 - GOAL! Hartman's saves were not in vain! Morsink with a great field crossing pass to Jewsbury, who remains calm as O'Rourke leaps and misses the ball. Jewsbury brings it down, moves into the box and slides the ball in front of goal perfectly, leaving Wolff with a tap in. 3-3 Even.
79 - Lopez in the box! He gets a shot off at a tough angle, but it doesn't quite go in.
80 - Ryan Pore comes in for Roger Espinoza.
81 - Who called Crew/Wizards to be the game that lights up ESPN Thursdays? Victorine shoots from outside, bangs the boards.
84 - The shift now is for Kansas City, and it's the Crew who look a bit shaky now.
85 - So the Crew turn to their lucky charm - Steve Lenhard, and he replaces Miglioranzi. Lenhart has the knack for late-game goals, but he can't catch up to a long pass from Schellotto.
86 - The Wizards turn to that blue-eyed midfield maestro, Kerry Zavagnin.
87 - Conrad's head gets pulled by Lenhart as he latches on to a ball, gets his goal called back for the foul.
88 - Shoving breaks out in front of Abbe as the Crew set up for a FK. The Wizards clear, Zavagnin finding Wolff on the outlet run.
90 - Carroll down in the box, trying to meet a Schellotto pass. Abbe waves off the contact.
90+ Again the tides of fortune have shifted - the Crew have the late attacks. The Wizards complicate a clearance and Rogers gets fouled. A FK for the Crew. It leads to a corner. Iro goes up for it, but Iro doesn't get good direction on it, popping it over the goal.
Final whistle!
A draw is probably a fair result, but it also means that KC still doesn't really advance very far up the table, though they continue their unbeaten streak.
I guess the hairdos of Harrington and Hejduk cancelled each other out - neither claimed supremacy.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Off from the Wizards
And on to the wonderful world of San Jose. Scott Sealy is an Earthquakes player now. The forward was traded for allocation money, probably to help the club meet the salary cap now that Josh Wolff has returned.
Sealy scores goals, so that should help the Quakes, who can't seem to manage that very often.
Sealy scores goals, so that should help the Quakes, who can't seem to manage that very often.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Help for a lousy offense
Josh Wolff is back from his stint abroad as he signed a four-year deal with Kansas City on Monday. Wolff gives the Wizards some much-needed help as KC has one of the worst offenses in all of MLS. The Wizards have 11 goals in 13 games this season and the 11th goal wasn't even one they scored themselves.
Wolff isn't the most prolific scorer and his inclusion on the US national team recently has been questioned. But Wolff has three seasons of double-digit goals, including one of 10 goals and 10 assists. If he comes anywhere near 10 goals this year, it'll be a successful return to MLS considering the sad state of KC's offense.
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Galaxy/Wizards running blog
Hi folks. It's actually a bit chilly here in LA. Las chance for LA fans to see Becks and Donovan for a bit.
Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Abel Xavier, Greg Vanney, David Beckham, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Joe Franchino, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan (someone said the nicknames were anoying, so I'm desisting for a bit).
KC - Kevin Hartman, Chance Myers, Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl, Michael Harrington, Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury, Carlos Marinelli, Sasha Victorine, Claudio Lopez, Scott Sealy
Kickoff!
1 - Wow, Galaxy in trouble from the start - can't clear their box well, but KC isn't quite able to work a shot out of it.
2 - Offside called on Lopez
4 - Pretty lively crowd right from the start, but it doesn't look like a sell-out. Course, LA crowds typically fill in late.
6 - KC with the majority of possession so far. Galaxy in their own half a lot.
7 - Interesting sequence, Klein overlapped Beckham, who passed to LD, who tried to onetime to Klein off his chest. Didn't come off - ball went out for throw, but it would have looked cool had it worked.
8 - Nice LA counter - almost. Beckham to Buddle, to LD, who gets a step on his defender and shoots towards goal. Hartman is on it and blocks. Crowd a bit confused. they don't want to boo Hartman, but they can't cheer the save, either, because he plays for KC no. So they're oddly silent.
11 - Handball! Well, I guess not if the ref doesn't call it. But it was pretty clear. Cronin stops the shot anyway, and Xavi clears.
13 - Galaxy defending a lot. Anytime anything gets going for them, a pass goes wrong. But they do earn a deep throw on a counter just now. Nothing comes of it.
16 - Beckham to Buddle - whose header goes wide.
20 - Galaxy keep getting caught offside. THe KC line is almost to centerfield.
21 - Whoa - on a deep throw - two Galaxy defenders miss clearing headers, but somehow escape without a KC shot on goal.
25 - Lopez shoot from outside the box - Cronin saves, but it looked like it might have gone a bit wide anyway.
28 - Free kick for the galaxy. Bit far, bit of an extreme angle - Becks lines it up, steps to it - serves it - All the Galaxy guys miss it, but LD chases it down, and then tries to go back into the box - and then things get weird and confusing. the whistle blows, but we're not sure why and then Buddle gets a yellow card. We're still not sure why.
33 - Interesting - Becks got fouled, but there was no call for about a minute. I guess play-on applied. finally Victorine got a yellow.
34 - Looks like the ref misses another handball, this one in the box by Jack Jewsbury. Galaxy scrum around in the box, but the final shot is wide.
40 - GOAL! The Wizards are a much more mobile and skilled team than they once were. Fun to watch, really, -- Ohhh - wow, Lopez jukes at the top of the box and no one shuts him down. So he winds up and sends a scorcher of a shot at an excellent angle that beats Cronin. 1-0.
44 - Galaxy attacking furiously now. Where was this a few minutes ago?
45 + Donovan overhits Becks badly with a pass.
Halftime
Wizards hold off the Galaxy charge, go into the locker room with their lead intact.
49 - Becks freekick - Pires with a weak header - Hartman catches.
52 - Scrappy play by both sides - Wizards have a FK. Cronin catches it.
54 - Penalty! LD in the box. Wahl with the foul. LD will take against his old teammate, Hartman.
55 - GOAL! LD slams it just slightly right while Hartman dives the other way. 1-1.
56 - Gordo in for McDonald. Becks leads out a counter, pases to Buddle, whose shot is parried by Hartman over the bar. Corner. foul leads to goal kick.
60 - Corner for KC. Marinelli sets up. Cleared. Becks sends long pass to LD on the counter, who manages to settle against two defenders in the box and lays off to Allen, open on the trailing run - Allen's shot is weak and wide. Poor.
63 - Galaxy comdy on defense just now, but they finally clear and pass to Gordo, who is offside.
66 - KC FK in a prime spot. Franklin's poor pass set up the fould situation. Marinelli sets up - and sends the kick over everybody and out. Lucky escape for LA.
70 - Yikes - The Galaxy go box to box - they nearly let in a goal because they expect an offside call that doesn't come, then, then on the counter, an LD pass goes begging by both Allen and Gordon.
72 - Becks FK. Everyone misses it.
74 - GOAL! Becks to Gordon to LD, who flicks it past the final line for Buddle. Perhaps the hat trick wasn't a fluke. 2-1 Galaxy.
77 - Gordo gets a yellow for a late and clumsy tackle on Jewsbury.
79 - KC charging, the Galaxy looking for chances on the counter. Still an open game.
81 - SAVE! Off the line by Klein after Galaxy got caught on a counter and Sealy beat a scrambling Cronin to the ball - Cronin couldn't quite grab it and Sealy kept at it until he got his shot, but Klein managed to clear it from behind. Amazing.
82 - KC FK. Hits the wall.
84 - Ruiz returns. Enters for LD.
85 - Buddle off the post! So close to sealing up the game.
86 - Klein in the box - somehow doesn't see Ruiz, Klein's soft shot caught by Hartman.
88 - KC corner. marinelli, becks fights for ball, in on the run on a counter, swept from behind, pops up angrily. Sure - he doesn't want an injury before going to England. He has words and the ref has to break things up.
90 - I'm aurprised Donovan was taken out, the Galaxy have trouble controlling the ball without him. Galaxy counter finds Ruiz, who fights the hold of Conrad until he finally gets a foul call.
90 + Four minutes stoppage.
Buddle misses a great Becks pass in the box. Just whiffs it.
That would have been a great defense-breaking pass, but Allen held it too long and Ruiz was caught offside.
OOOh, KC have a late corner. Hartman comes up for it.
GOAL! The Galaxy clear. It's on Becks' foot. He lines it up and hits it from behind the centerline as Hartman runs desperately back. It bounces perfectly into the goal. 3-1 Galaxy
The Galaxy get over .500 for the first time this season, sending Becks and LD off to their international duty with a victory.
Steve Cronin, Chris Klein, Sean Franklin, Abel Xavier, Greg Vanney, David Beckham, Alvaro Pires, Brandon McDonald, Joe Franchino, Edson Buddle, Landon Donovan (someone said the nicknames were anoying, so I'm desisting for a bit).
KC - Kevin Hartman, Chance Myers, Jimmy Conrad, Tyson Wahl, Michael Harrington, Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury, Carlos Marinelli, Sasha Victorine, Claudio Lopez, Scott Sealy
Kickoff!
1 - Wow, Galaxy in trouble from the start - can't clear their box well, but KC isn't quite able to work a shot out of it.
2 - Offside called on Lopez
4 - Pretty lively crowd right from the start, but it doesn't look like a sell-out. Course, LA crowds typically fill in late.
6 - KC with the majority of possession so far. Galaxy in their own half a lot.
7 - Interesting sequence, Klein overlapped Beckham, who passed to LD, who tried to onetime to Klein off his chest. Didn't come off - ball went out for throw, but it would have looked cool had it worked.
8 - Nice LA counter - almost. Beckham to Buddle, to LD, who gets a step on his defender and shoots towards goal. Hartman is on it and blocks. Crowd a bit confused. they don't want to boo Hartman, but they can't cheer the save, either, because he plays for KC no. So they're oddly silent.
11 - Handball! Well, I guess not if the ref doesn't call it. But it was pretty clear. Cronin stops the shot anyway, and Xavi clears.
13 - Galaxy defending a lot. Anytime anything gets going for them, a pass goes wrong. But they do earn a deep throw on a counter just now. Nothing comes of it.
16 - Beckham to Buddle - whose header goes wide.
20 - Galaxy keep getting caught offside. THe KC line is almost to centerfield.
21 - Whoa - on a deep throw - two Galaxy defenders miss clearing headers, but somehow escape without a KC shot on goal.
25 - Lopez shoot from outside the box - Cronin saves, but it looked like it might have gone a bit wide anyway.
28 - Free kick for the galaxy. Bit far, bit of an extreme angle - Becks lines it up, steps to it - serves it - All the Galaxy guys miss it, but LD chases it down, and then tries to go back into the box - and then things get weird and confusing. the whistle blows, but we're not sure why and then Buddle gets a yellow card. We're still not sure why.
33 - Interesting - Becks got fouled, but there was no call for about a minute. I guess play-on applied. finally Victorine got a yellow.
34 - Looks like the ref misses another handball, this one in the box by Jack Jewsbury. Galaxy scrum around in the box, but the final shot is wide.
40 - GOAL! The Wizards are a much more mobile and skilled team than they once were. Fun to watch, really, -- Ohhh - wow, Lopez jukes at the top of the box and no one shuts him down. So he winds up and sends a scorcher of a shot at an excellent angle that beats Cronin. 1-0.
44 - Galaxy attacking furiously now. Where was this a few minutes ago?
45 + Donovan overhits Becks badly with a pass.
Halftime
Wizards hold off the Galaxy charge, go into the locker room with their lead intact.
49 - Becks freekick - Pires with a weak header - Hartman catches.
52 - Scrappy play by both sides - Wizards have a FK. Cronin catches it.
54 - Penalty! LD in the box. Wahl with the foul. LD will take against his old teammate, Hartman.
55 - GOAL! LD slams it just slightly right while Hartman dives the other way. 1-1.
56 - Gordo in for McDonald. Becks leads out a counter, pases to Buddle, whose shot is parried by Hartman over the bar. Corner. foul leads to goal kick.
60 - Corner for KC. Marinelli sets up. Cleared. Becks sends long pass to LD on the counter, who manages to settle against two defenders in the box and lays off to Allen, open on the trailing run - Allen's shot is weak and wide. Poor.
63 - Galaxy comdy on defense just now, but they finally clear and pass to Gordo, who is offside.
66 - KC FK in a prime spot. Franklin's poor pass set up the fould situation. Marinelli sets up - and sends the kick over everybody and out. Lucky escape for LA.
70 - Yikes - The Galaxy go box to box - they nearly let in a goal because they expect an offside call that doesn't come, then, then on the counter, an LD pass goes begging by both Allen and Gordon.
72 - Becks FK. Everyone misses it.
74 - GOAL! Becks to Gordon to LD, who flicks it past the final line for Buddle. Perhaps the hat trick wasn't a fluke. 2-1 Galaxy.
77 - Gordo gets a yellow for a late and clumsy tackle on Jewsbury.
79 - KC charging, the Galaxy looking for chances on the counter. Still an open game.
81 - SAVE! Off the line by Klein after Galaxy got caught on a counter and Sealy beat a scrambling Cronin to the ball - Cronin couldn't quite grab it and Sealy kept at it until he got his shot, but Klein managed to clear it from behind. Amazing.
82 - KC FK. Hits the wall.
84 - Ruiz returns. Enters for LD.
85 - Buddle off the post! So close to sealing up the game.
86 - Klein in the box - somehow doesn't see Ruiz, Klein's soft shot caught by Hartman.
88 - KC corner. marinelli, becks fights for ball, in on the run on a counter, swept from behind, pops up angrily. Sure - he doesn't want an injury before going to England. He has words and the ref has to break things up.
90 - I'm aurprised Donovan was taken out, the Galaxy have trouble controlling the ball without him. Galaxy counter finds Ruiz, who fights the hold of Conrad until he finally gets a foul call.
90 + Four minutes stoppage.
Buddle misses a great Becks pass in the box. Just whiffs it.
That would have been a great defense-breaking pass, but Allen held it too long and Ruiz was caught offside.
OOOh, KC have a late corner. Hartman comes up for it.
GOAL! The Galaxy clear. It's on Becks' foot. He lines it up and hits it from behind the centerline as Hartman runs desperately back. It bounces perfectly into the goal. 3-1 Galaxy
The Galaxy get over .500 for the first time this season, sending Becks and LD off to their international duty with a victory.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Conrad on soccer
Got this link off of Martin Rogers' blog.
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad participated in a Q & A with USA Today's Beau Dure in which Conrad was his usual thought-provoking self. But what most caught my interest was what apparently caught Martin's as well as Conrad held back few words about his feelings toward Rafa Marquez, whom he called "the most consistently arrogant Mexican player."
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad participated in a Q & A with USA Today's Beau Dure in which Conrad was his usual thought-provoking self. But what most caught my interest was what apparently caught Martin's as well as Conrad held back few words about his feelings toward Rafa Marquez, whom he called "the most consistently arrogant Mexican player."
Friday, March 28, 2008
Abracadabra
Which MLS team has the 2nd thickest media guide?
Which MLS team has a columnist on the field?
Which MLS team did not play most games for twelve seasons in the state that makes up part of its name?
Which MLS team is the favorite of Brit Tim Lovejoy?
Which MLS team could conceivably feature a "Cat in a hat-trick"?
Click to preview.
Which MLS team has a columnist on the field?
Which MLS team did not play most games for twelve seasons in the state that makes up part of its name?
Which MLS team is the favorite of Brit Tim Lovejoy?
Which MLS team could conceivably feature a "Cat in a hat-trick"?
Click to preview.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Claudio Lopez compilation
Claudio Lopez officially joined the Kansas City Wizards earlier this week. It's been a couple of years now that he's been gone from Club America but I found some highlights of some of the goals he scored with America.
In total, he scored 4 goals in his first season, then went on to post 14, 3, 2 and 4 goals in successive seasons. Each season, incidentally is roughly 20 games. His full bio that shows his complete stats with America is here.
Anyway, here are the clips.
* Claudio Lopez sends a bicycle kick into the back of the net here.
* Note the three current MLS players in this clip. Duilio Davino sends the cross in from the right flank, Lopez finishes and Cuauhtemoc Blanco goes in and celebrates with his teammates.
* A playoff goal at Estadio Jalisco against Atlas in 2006. Kinda quiet.
* Lopez had a goal and set up another in this clip.
In total, he scored 4 goals in his first season, then went on to post 14, 3, 2 and 4 goals in successive seasons. Each season, incidentally is roughly 20 games. His full bio that shows his complete stats with America is here.
Anyway, here are the clips.
* Claudio Lopez sends a bicycle kick into the back of the net here.
* Note the three current MLS players in this clip. Duilio Davino sends the cross in from the right flank, Lopez finishes and Cuauhtemoc Blanco goes in and celebrates with his teammates.
* A playoff goal at Estadio Jalisco against Atlas in 2006. Kinda quiet.
* Lopez had a goal and set up another in this clip.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
More on Piojo
Kansas City technical director Peter Vermes spoke highly of Claudio Lopez on Monday but I wonder if his words are accurate.
"When you talk worldwide, it’s obvious Claudio is a bigger name than anyone in our league outside Beckham,” Wizards technical director Peter Vermes said. “His success on the field — in playing two World Cups, the Olympics and two of the biggest leagues in the world in Serie A and LaLiga — creates an aura around him.”
Lopez is a fine player, no question about it. He can and will contribute. Perhaps he will come in and start scoring in a pace as quickly as Juan Pablo Angel or maybe it will take him a little more time to adjust.
But as far as name players go, I wouldn't say it's obvious that Lopez is Big Name No. 2. The aforementioned Angel was a star in England and Argentina before heading to MLS and those are two pretty big leagues. Marcelo Gallardo had fine careers in France and Argentina as well while Cuauhtemoc Blanco is a recognizable name outside of North America. Even Abel Xavier is a pretty recognizable name, if only for his eccentric hairstyles.
Names alone, though, don't win anything and don't draw much in this league. So it surprised me that Vermes would throw that out there. Still, I'd be more concerned about ensuring that Lopez settles into the Kansas City area smoothly and eases into the club in equally smooth fashion than touting him as an obvious big name.
"When you talk worldwide, it’s obvious Claudio is a bigger name than anyone in our league outside Beckham,” Wizards technical director Peter Vermes said. “His success on the field — in playing two World Cups, the Olympics and two of the biggest leagues in the world in Serie A and LaLiga — creates an aura around him.”
Lopez is a fine player, no question about it. He can and will contribute. Perhaps he will come in and start scoring in a pace as quickly as Juan Pablo Angel or maybe it will take him a little more time to adjust.
But as far as name players go, I wouldn't say it's obvious that Lopez is Big Name No. 2. The aforementioned Angel was a star in England and Argentina before heading to MLS and those are two pretty big leagues. Marcelo Gallardo had fine careers in France and Argentina as well while Cuauhtemoc Blanco is a recognizable name outside of North America. Even Abel Xavier is a pretty recognizable name, if only for his eccentric hairstyles.
Names alone, though, don't win anything and don't draw much in this league. So it surprised me that Vermes would throw that out there. Still, I'd be more concerned about ensuring that Lopez settles into the Kansas City area smoothly and eases into the club in equally smooth fashion than touting him as an obvious big name.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Kansas City gets their man
(Photos courtesy of MLS)
Claudio Lopez was just signed by the Wizards as their new designated player. I have to admit, I feel the better about this that I did about FC Dallas signing Dulio Davino. I think DP money should be spent on midfielders and fowards - real difference makers on a team.
When I played, I was a defender, and I respect them tremendously, but I think they simply don't make the splash that attacking players do. A DP spot should be about substance, sure, but a little flash needs to justify the higher salary as well.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Hop aboard
Chivas USA front office, take note:
The Kansas City Wizards, who like Chivas USA have also suffered terribly at the gate, announced a new program that seems like it could be successful.
From the press release:
The Kansas Wizards and First Student will partner on a program providing FREE “Legends Express” buses to Kansas City Wizards matches at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for groups of 50 or more. As part of the Wizards Soccer Shuttle program, groups will be picked up from anywhere inside the Kansas City metropolitan and surrounding areas, dropped off at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at the Legends in KCK and then returned to their initial location after the match.
“We are pleased to form a relationship with First Student and provide large groups the opportunity for free transportation to Wizards matches via the Legends Express,” Wizards Executive Vice President Greg Cotton said. “The Wizards Soccer Shuttle program will help us create a party atmosphere at the stadium that all fans of Kansas City's team enjoy.”...
Alcohol will be permitted, but not included, on the Legends Express vehicles for patrons 21 and older, excluding kegs. Tailgating at the stadium will also be available and encouraged in a special Legends-Express parking section. Participants in the Wizards Soccer Shuttle program will receive commemorative T-shirts as part of the package. Ticket prices for groups of 50+ start at $500 for berm seats.
Now, some observers feel that if Chivas USA played closer to the Coliseum that the club would draw more fans. I have my doubts about that, but if the team would provide a similar busing program it could have some success, if anything to avoid paying the $15 for parking, or whatever the cost is.
Maybe, though, it's not so easy for Chivas USA to get things like this through since they don't actually own their stadium, and maybe there are hurdles that they can't get past. But if they have the option to provide free busing, it could boost attendance.
As far as Kansas City fans go, will this program succeed? Fifty people seems like a rather large contingent to get together. Will this translate into solid attendance figures?
The Kansas City Wizards, who like Chivas USA have also suffered terribly at the gate, announced a new program that seems like it could be successful.
From the press release:
The Kansas Wizards and First Student will partner on a program providing FREE “Legends Express” buses to Kansas City Wizards matches at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for groups of 50 or more. As part of the Wizards Soccer Shuttle program, groups will be picked up from anywhere inside the Kansas City metropolitan and surrounding areas, dropped off at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at the Legends in KCK and then returned to their initial location after the match.
“We are pleased to form a relationship with First Student and provide large groups the opportunity for free transportation to Wizards matches via the Legends Express,” Wizards Executive Vice President Greg Cotton said. “The Wizards Soccer Shuttle program will help us create a party atmosphere at the stadium that all fans of Kansas City's team enjoy.”...
Alcohol will be permitted, but not included, on the Legends Express vehicles for patrons 21 and older, excluding kegs. Tailgating at the stadium will also be available and encouraged in a special Legends-Express parking section. Participants in the Wizards Soccer Shuttle program will receive commemorative T-shirts as part of the package. Ticket prices for groups of 50+ start at $500 for berm seats.
Now, some observers feel that if Chivas USA played closer to the Coliseum that the club would draw more fans. I have my doubts about that, but if the team would provide a similar busing program it could have some success, if anything to avoid paying the $15 for parking, or whatever the cost is.
Maybe, though, it's not so easy for Chivas USA to get things like this through since they don't actually own their stadium, and maybe there are hurdles that they can't get past. But if they have the option to provide free busing, it could boost attendance.
As far as Kansas City fans go, will this program succeed? Fifty people seems like a rather large contingent to get together. Will this translate into solid attendance figures?
Monday, February 25, 2008
Last chance
The Kansas City Wizards will train today and Tuesday at Swope Park before heading down to Argentina for a pair of weeks, so you might want to check them out if you're within driving distance.
Myself, I'm not anywhere near the Wizards nor do I know where Swope Park is. But I get KC Wizards press releases and thought I'd pass the word along to the handful of KC supporters that peruse this board. Tuesday's training session might be at the KC Sports Lodge, apparently.
Who knows - maybe the Wizards will return from Argentina with El Piojo in tow.
Myself, I'm not anywhere near the Wizards nor do I know where Swope Park is. But I get KC Wizards press releases and thought I'd pass the word along to the handful of KC supporters that peruse this board. Tuesday's training session might be at the KC Sports Lodge, apparently.
Who knows - maybe the Wizards will return from Argentina with El Piojo in tow.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Slip of the tongue
Eddie Johnson is on his way to Fulham FC and the Kansas City Wizards sent out a press release on the matter. Then, they sent out a corrected version. Here's what the Wizards sent out initially:
(January 23, 2008) – Forward Eddie Johnson completed an agreement today to transfer from the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer to English Premier League club Fulham FC. Johnson led the Wizards with 15 goals and recorded a career-high six assists in 2007. He was named team MVP and MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
Per team and league policy, specific financial details of the transfer will not be disclosed. The Wizards will, however, receive two-thirds of the transfer fee to use for a variety of purposes that improve on-field product, pending league approval. Money can be applied as allocation money (up to $500,000), toward a designated-player signing or for the KCW Juniors Youth Development Program.
"When a player of Eddie Johnson's caliber signs with an English Premier League team, it speaks to the level of play in Major League Soccer," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "Eddie grew as a player in Kansas City...
And now the corrected version:
(January 23, 2008) – Forward Eddie Johnson completed an agreement today to transfer from the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer to English Premier League club Fulham FC. Johnson led the Wizards with 15 goals and recorded a career-high six assists in 2007. He was named team MVP and MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
Per team and league policy, specific financial details of the transfer will not be disclosed. The Wizards will, however, receive a replacement allocation.
"When a player of Eddie Johnson's caliber signs with an English Premier League team, it speaks to the level of play in Major League Soccer," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "Eddie grew as a player in Kansas City...
Interesting. I'm guessing what they said in the first release is accurate but was too much information to pass out apparently so they snipped all evidence of that out and re-sent the release.
Since they have a Designated Player slot, the Wizards could potentiall sign a DP and use some of these allocation funds to nab themselves a pair of good players. Or they could put it towards player salaries. Or they could put it towards scouting. Whatever the case, the Wizards could use this bit of a windfall to improve their team.
Now back to the issue of self-policing whatever information that can or cannot be released to the public. Does it really do any harm to let people know that the Wizards get to use up to $500,000 to improve the quality of soccer on the field? Where is the harm in that?
(January 23, 2008) – Forward Eddie Johnson completed an agreement today to transfer from the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer to English Premier League club Fulham FC. Johnson led the Wizards with 15 goals and recorded a career-high six assists in 2007. He was named team MVP and MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
Per team and league policy, specific financial details of the transfer will not be disclosed. The Wizards will, however, receive two-thirds of the transfer fee to use for a variety of purposes that improve on-field product, pending league approval. Money can be applied as allocation money (up to $500,000), toward a designated-player signing or for the KCW Juniors Youth Development Program.
"When a player of Eddie Johnson's caliber signs with an English Premier League team, it speaks to the level of play in Major League Soccer," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "Eddie grew as a player in Kansas City...
And now the corrected version:
(January 23, 2008) – Forward Eddie Johnson completed an agreement today to transfer from the Kansas City Wizards of Major League Soccer to English Premier League club Fulham FC. Johnson led the Wizards with 15 goals and recorded a career-high six assists in 2007. He was named team MVP and MLS Comeback Player of the Year.
Per team and league policy, specific financial details of the transfer will not be disclosed. The Wizards will, however, receive a replacement allocation.
"When a player of Eddie Johnson's caliber signs with an English Premier League team, it speaks to the level of play in Major League Soccer," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "Eddie grew as a player in Kansas City...
Interesting. I'm guessing what they said in the first release is accurate but was too much information to pass out apparently so they snipped all evidence of that out and re-sent the release.
Since they have a Designated Player slot, the Wizards could potentiall sign a DP and use some of these allocation funds to nab themselves a pair of good players. Or they could put it towards player salaries. Or they could put it towards scouting. Whatever the case, the Wizards could use this bit of a windfall to improve their team.
Now back to the issue of self-policing whatever information that can or cannot be released to the public. Does it really do any harm to let people know that the Wizards get to use up to $500,000 to improve the quality of soccer on the field? Where is the harm in that?
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Heading west
Kansas City will look quite a bit different in 2008 than it has in recent years. Eddie Johnson is gone as he is headed to England and Fulham. The defense will also undergo a huge transition as mainstays Jose Burciaga and Nick Garcia are now on their way out. Burciaga is headed to Colorado and Garcia is property of San Jose.
For the latter, Kansas City picked up the first overall pick in Friday's SuperDraft. Giving up a proven defender for a draft choice is risky but KC needed to change over their roster. The writing for Burciaga's exit was also on the wall late in the season as he stopped being a regular starter.
For San Jose, the trade is clear that Frank Yallop wants to win now. RSL got nothing out of their draft pick, the first overall in 2005, and Toronto struck gold with Maurice Edu a year ago. But there's a better shot of drafting a Nik Besagno than an Edu, as the first overall pick has more often than not been a bust.
Colorado gets a good left back, a bit of a rarity in MLS. However, their problems are well-rooted and Burciaga isn't the tip of the iceberg that needs to crash into the Dick for things to change there.
For the latter, Kansas City picked up the first overall pick in Friday's SuperDraft. Giving up a proven defender for a draft choice is risky but KC needed to change over their roster. The writing for Burciaga's exit was also on the wall late in the season as he stopped being a regular starter.
For San Jose, the trade is clear that Frank Yallop wants to win now. RSL got nothing out of their draft pick, the first overall in 2005, and Toronto struck gold with Maurice Edu a year ago. But there's a better shot of drafting a Nik Besagno than an Edu, as the first overall pick has more often than not been a bust.
Colorado gets a good left back, a bit of a rarity in MLS. However, their problems are well-rooted and Burciaga isn't the tip of the iceberg that needs to crash into the Dick for things to change there.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Wizards/Dynamo running blog
Hey, hey, ho, ho, here we go. Pre-game rounds up the usual suspects of plot lines. Now we're watching goals of the season. Nice stuff. Kerry Zavagnin may never score a better goal than that.
Houston's Stuart Holden looks like such a baby in in interview, but he is enthusiastic about the match. Craig Waibel is interviewed next - the tough defender admits speed is not his forte, but explains he is able to out-think most opponents.
I'm glad that DeRosario dances when he scores. I think that's a nice touch of flair more players should try. I wish I liked his dance better, though.
Kevin Hartman! The Wizards goalkeeper is interviewed. He gives a shout-out to his daughter, Chloe. He says that the team is ready for the pressure. EJ is on talking about how his team gets "no respect".
Word on the street is that EJ is moving to England. I hope he gets more playing time than Bobby Convey or Benny Feilhaber are getting right now.
Hey, it's Lalas at the Ruud Gullit presser. Now they're showing the Dynamo cheerleaders. Oh, and a Brian Ching interview. He says the team is excited. They should be. They have a sell-out crowd on hand. His playoff beard is still pretty sparse, but hey, it didn't matter last year.
Teams march out to the field. The crowd looks great - a lot of orange. Gullit would feel comfy.
Maybe it's just me pulling for the underdog, but I think that the Wizards could pull this game out.
Clips from the misty night where Kansas City held off Chivas USA. Hartman and Pat Onstad are being profiled. Onstad is a success story from the USL. Heartwarming stuff.
2- Wizards seem to have conceded the midfield. They have two forwards, but everyone else is back.
3- Mullan is on the ground - EJ's cleat caught his leg. He's back up.
5- Hartman with an acrobatic push of the ball from a corner - saving a goal, perhaps.
10- On both ends, teams have chances, but shots are blocked.
12- FK for Wizards - Johnson had a shot, because the deflection fell to him. He was wide of the goal by a few feet. He'll regret that one. Going the other way, DeRosario puts one over the ball that he'll aslo regret. Yikes. The goal was open on that one.
15- Houston working the ball around very comfortably. They don't seem panicked. Jaqua finally shoots, but it's wide.
16- KC the other way - EJ misses the sliding shot. A cross to Ching in front of the goal barely misses.
21- Hatman comes way off his line to punch a ball out - looks like he might have hurt his shoulder.
23- Ching had another shot - wide. He's mad at himself now.
25- It's weird to see Houston play without Rico Clark. I keep expecting to see him. Dom Kinnear is getting really chatty with the officials. He's not happy about something.
29-Crazy - Houston had seemingly six players in the box and couldn't get the shot off. Ching tries another shot, but this one is also wide. The Dynamo are all over the Wizards, but the scoreboard doesn't show that yet.
32- Dynamo players are doing a good job of pushing the ball up in front of the attack, but they hesitate in front of the goal and the Wizards keep poking the ball away. They can't keep getting away with that kind of last-ditch defending. Can they?
34- DeRosario shot - Hartman parries. Good on both counts, but again, it took too long for DeRosario to pull the trigger.
35- GOAL! Jaqua can use his his freaking head! Eddie Robinson distracts and Jaqua elevates to put the ball in.
38- Game opens up a bit. Kansas City is finally moving up - which leaves space for Houston to counter.
40- EJ should not be dribbling the ball upfield. Where is Carlos Marinelli?
41- Jair Marrufo pulls a yellow for Jaqua after he fouls Jack Jewsbury. That was a hard forearm- could easily have been a red and changed the game completely.
44- Jewsbury could be unconcious. He's been down for minutes. He finally walks off the field. Chris Sullivan diagnoses a tweaked neck from the booth.
45+ NO GOAL - Hartman spilled the ball from Mullen's shot, but DeRosario was offsides on the follow.
The game has nearly been all Houston, but I wonder - considering how the earlier series against Dallas changed so much after the Arturo Alvarez red card, what would have happened if Marrufo had pulled the red card on Jaqua?
2nd half
50- Marinelli is on. KC still doesn't look terribly dangerous, though.
54- Kansas City was really an attacking team early this season, but I simply don't see that now.
56- Nick Garcia gets a yellow. He argues with Marrufo, because it sure looked like he was the one who got kicked. In the but, no less.
57- Mullen comes in from behind on Harrington, but there's no call. KC is going to complain about the calls after this game.
58- Marinelli with a pretty pointless yellow. I guess KC figures they're not getting the calls, they're going to get revenge.
61- KC with a nice little sequence, but it doesn't quite cumulate in a shot on goal.
63- CK for Houston - finally ends up in a goal kick for KC.
65- KC can't get a touch on the ball in front of goal, though it's bouncing all round then.
69- Dvis crosses in front of goal, ball is loose, but it is finally corralled by Hartman. Ching is down on the grass, but he looks just shaken up. Actually, I was wrong. Ching limps off and Joe Ngwenya comes in.
73- FK from way out. Marinelli takes, it sneaks wide of the far post.
74- Apparently Ching complained of a "pop". It could be his tendon, which is bad, but it could be an exhausted muscle, which is no biggie.
77- Conrad nearly scores an own goal - he cuts off DeRosario's cross, and nearly puts it into net. The corner kick yields an awkward bicycle kick from Jaqua, but KC finally gets a goal kick.
80- DeRo nearly reaches a long pass, but it gets cut off.
81- GOAL! Houston gets the ball back and DeRo slots a low shot past Hartman. I'm watching the game with three other people. "Too slow," says one of Hartman. "Too old," says another. "Too lazy," says one. Any which way, Hartman's reflexes weren't up to snuff there.
84- KC is going for a goal of honor here.
86- Shot of KC's assistant coach looking super-pissed on the sidelines about the calls versus KC.
87- Columbano with a chip pass to EJ, but EJ can't connect. He's just not playing with confidence right now.
90- Weirdly, KC is dribbling away from goal. Oh, finally the ball goes in. And gets cleared out. Falls to Johnson outside the box and he fires over the goal.
90+ It's all over but the shouting. Holden on the break - Babyface gets fouled. FK. Davis doesn't even shoot for goal. They're just looking to secure the win, running out the clock.
Arnaud with a fed-up foul on Davis. Ngwenya takes the ball to the corner, running out the clock.
It's done!
REMATCH. NE and Houston for the Cup. It's deja-vu all over again in RFK.
Houston's Stuart Holden looks like such a baby in in interview, but he is enthusiastic about the match. Craig Waibel is interviewed next - the tough defender admits speed is not his forte, but explains he is able to out-think most opponents.
I'm glad that DeRosario dances when he scores. I think that's a nice touch of flair more players should try. I wish I liked his dance better, though.
Kevin Hartman! The Wizards goalkeeper is interviewed. He gives a shout-out to his daughter, Chloe. He says that the team is ready for the pressure. EJ is on talking about how his team gets "no respect".
Word on the street is that EJ is moving to England. I hope he gets more playing time than Bobby Convey or Benny Feilhaber are getting right now.
Hey, it's Lalas at the Ruud Gullit presser. Now they're showing the Dynamo cheerleaders. Oh, and a Brian Ching interview. He says the team is excited. They should be. They have a sell-out crowd on hand. His playoff beard is still pretty sparse, but hey, it didn't matter last year.
Teams march out to the field. The crowd looks great - a lot of orange. Gullit would feel comfy.
Maybe it's just me pulling for the underdog, but I think that the Wizards could pull this game out.
Clips from the misty night where Kansas City held off Chivas USA. Hartman and Pat Onstad are being profiled. Onstad is a success story from the USL. Heartwarming stuff.
2- Wizards seem to have conceded the midfield. They have two forwards, but everyone else is back.
3- Mullan is on the ground - EJ's cleat caught his leg. He's back up.
5- Hartman with an acrobatic push of the ball from a corner - saving a goal, perhaps.
10- On both ends, teams have chances, but shots are blocked.
12- FK for Wizards - Johnson had a shot, because the deflection fell to him. He was wide of the goal by a few feet. He'll regret that one. Going the other way, DeRosario puts one over the ball that he'll aslo regret. Yikes. The goal was open on that one.
15- Houston working the ball around very comfortably. They don't seem panicked. Jaqua finally shoots, but it's wide.
16- KC the other way - EJ misses the sliding shot. A cross to Ching in front of the goal barely misses.
21- Hatman comes way off his line to punch a ball out - looks like he might have hurt his shoulder.
23- Ching had another shot - wide. He's mad at himself now.
25- It's weird to see Houston play without Rico Clark. I keep expecting to see him. Dom Kinnear is getting really chatty with the officials. He's not happy about something.
29-Crazy - Houston had seemingly six players in the box and couldn't get the shot off. Ching tries another shot, but this one is also wide. The Dynamo are all over the Wizards, but the scoreboard doesn't show that yet.
32- Dynamo players are doing a good job of pushing the ball up in front of the attack, but they hesitate in front of the goal and the Wizards keep poking the ball away. They can't keep getting away with that kind of last-ditch defending. Can they?
34- DeRosario shot - Hartman parries. Good on both counts, but again, it took too long for DeRosario to pull the trigger.
35- GOAL! Jaqua can use his his freaking head! Eddie Robinson distracts and Jaqua elevates to put the ball in.
38- Game opens up a bit. Kansas City is finally moving up - which leaves space for Houston to counter.
40- EJ should not be dribbling the ball upfield. Where is Carlos Marinelli?
41- Jair Marrufo pulls a yellow for Jaqua after he fouls Jack Jewsbury. That was a hard forearm- could easily have been a red and changed the game completely.
44- Jewsbury could be unconcious. He's been down for minutes. He finally walks off the field. Chris Sullivan diagnoses a tweaked neck from the booth.
45+ NO GOAL - Hartman spilled the ball from Mullen's shot, but DeRosario was offsides on the follow.
The game has nearly been all Houston, but I wonder - considering how the earlier series against Dallas changed so much after the Arturo Alvarez red card, what would have happened if Marrufo had pulled the red card on Jaqua?
2nd half
50- Marinelli is on. KC still doesn't look terribly dangerous, though.
54- Kansas City was really an attacking team early this season, but I simply don't see that now.
56- Nick Garcia gets a yellow. He argues with Marrufo, because it sure looked like he was the one who got kicked. In the but, no less.
57- Mullen comes in from behind on Harrington, but there's no call. KC is going to complain about the calls after this game.
58- Marinelli with a pretty pointless yellow. I guess KC figures they're not getting the calls, they're going to get revenge.
61- KC with a nice little sequence, but it doesn't quite cumulate in a shot on goal.
63- CK for Houston - finally ends up in a goal kick for KC.
65- KC can't get a touch on the ball in front of goal, though it's bouncing all round then.
69- Dvis crosses in front of goal, ball is loose, but it is finally corralled by Hartman. Ching is down on the grass, but he looks just shaken up. Actually, I was wrong. Ching limps off and Joe Ngwenya comes in.
73- FK from way out. Marinelli takes, it sneaks wide of the far post.
74- Apparently Ching complained of a "pop". It could be his tendon, which is bad, but it could be an exhausted muscle, which is no biggie.
77- Conrad nearly scores an own goal - he cuts off DeRosario's cross, and nearly puts it into net. The corner kick yields an awkward bicycle kick from Jaqua, but KC finally gets a goal kick.
80- DeRo nearly reaches a long pass, but it gets cut off.
81- GOAL! Houston gets the ball back and DeRo slots a low shot past Hartman. I'm watching the game with three other people. "Too slow," says one of Hartman. "Too old," says another. "Too lazy," says one. Any which way, Hartman's reflexes weren't up to snuff there.
84- KC is going for a goal of honor here.
86- Shot of KC's assistant coach looking super-pissed on the sidelines about the calls versus KC.
87- Columbano with a chip pass to EJ, but EJ can't connect. He's just not playing with confidence right now.
90- Weirdly, KC is dribbling away from goal. Oh, finally the ball goes in. And gets cleared out. Falls to Johnson outside the box and he fires over the goal.
90+ It's all over but the shouting. Holden on the break - Babyface gets fouled. FK. Davis doesn't even shoot for goal. They're just looking to secure the win, running out the clock.
Arnaud with a fed-up foul on Davis. Ngwenya takes the ball to the corner, running out the clock.
It's done!
REMATCH. NE and Houston for the Cup. It's deja-vu all over again in RFK.
Off to see the Wizards
In 2000, the Kansas City Wizards won the MLS Cup championship, in large part on the strength of Tony Meola in goal.
The assumption from many is that Houston will win today and set up a rematch of last year's championship, but I've seen Houston start off slowly in both their playoff games this year. Maybe the rush of goals towards the end of the Dallas game got that out of their system, but I'm skeptical. I also think that Kansas City is building the kind of teamwork and momentum that a squad needs to pull off this kind of upset.
Their current goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, talked about some of those aspects - guys stepping up to do the little things - after the series win against Chivas USA.
The assumption from many is that Houston will win today and set up a rematch of last year's championship, but I've seen Houston start off slowly in both their playoff games this year. Maybe the rush of goals towards the end of the Dallas game got that out of their system, but I'm skeptical. I also think that Kansas City is building the kind of teamwork and momentum that a squad needs to pull off this kind of upset.
Their current goalkeeper, Kevin Hartman, talked about some of those aspects - guys stepping up to do the little things - after the series win against Chivas USA.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Waltzing Wizards
I don't expect many KC fans to be happy with my latest SI column.
But facts are facts: KC's defense was bad all season long. Their playoff run has been fueled by a bunker mentality. KC hung on for dear life after winning their home leg 1-0. Funny thing how both Dallas and Chicago actually did something offensively in their second legs and didn't resort to dropping everyone behind the ball from the third minute on.
That's all well and good. Do what you can to get a win, right? Well, we'll see how that works against Houston when they can't hid all game long.
But facts are facts: KC's defense was bad all season long. Their playoff run has been fueled by a bunker mentality. KC hung on for dear life after winning their home leg 1-0. Funny thing how both Dallas and Chicago actually did something offensively in their second legs and didn't resort to dropping everyone behind the ball from the third minute on.
That's all well and good. Do what you can to get a win, right? Well, we'll see how that works against Houston when they can't hid all game long.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Talkety Talk
Sasha Victorine on KC.
Klejestan on KC: We didn’t give them any respect? They sit back and defend the whole time.
Preki on KC: I know we’re a better team.
Marsch on KC: They do way too much talking and not enough playing. They have five or six guys who spent that series talking and talking. We approached this series in an honest way. We wound up losing, but I feel that the better team did not advance.
Klejestan on KC: We didn’t give them any respect? They sit back and defend the whole time.
Preki on KC: I know we’re a better team.
Marsch on KC: They do way too much talking and not enough playing. They have five or six guys who spent that series talking and talking. We approached this series in an honest way. We wound up losing, but I feel that the better team did not advance.
Monday, November 5, 2007
Gato
When the Galaxy used to be the Galaxy, this was their 'keeper.
If there's one guy on KC I'm happy to see succeed on a personal level, it's Kevin Hartman.
If there's one guy on KC I'm happy to see succeed on a personal level, it's Kevin Hartman.
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