The Wizards had the game in hand after 70 minutes. They were leading 3-0 on goals from Victorine, Lopez and Arnaud until Chivas got back into the game with a PK in the 73rd. Then just under 10 minutes later Chivas scored again on a header from one of their 12 corner kicks (KC had only 3). Kevin Hartman stepped up big for the final ten to twelve minutes and the Wizards held on for a 3-2 win.
The Wizards had chances to blow this game wide open the entire first half. But at the intermission it was only 2-0. Not bad at all of course, just could have been more. KC played much better this week.
I was impressed with Harrington at right mid (though I didn’t like it pre-game; now sure). He had speed up and down the field. Arnaud was workman yet again. He had an assist on Claudio’s 44th minute goal. Then Davy was persistent in getting the third goal of the game by heading in his own chip shot. Lopez was in and out of the entire game. Would make great runs and then take plays off when he should have chased down a ball. A goal and assist from him are great, but it was disconcerting to see him not hustle as much as he has in the past. Josh Wolff was decent. Kerry Zavagnin and Sasha Victorine were very good in the midfield. Sasha with the header goal to take the lead. Kerry broke the all time Wizards minutes played record(57th minute). Both calmed down the midfield. Marquess played well again at left back but I do believe it was his man that got the 2nd Chivas goal from the corner kick. Also Jack was responsible for the poor ball to Hartman that won the Penalty for Chivas. Jimmy and Aaron were solid. Espinoza got the most minutes off the bench and looked pretty good; he came on for Wolff. Pizarro was on for Lopez and looked like the unpolished rookie he is. Morsink was only on for a bit for Victorine and he did just fine.
My player of the game will be Davy Arnaud. Again he was the best on the field. He didn’t get on the score sheet but Micheal Harrington was very very good last night. I feel he was crucial the whole game. His speed made him dangerous the Wizards. So Harrington is the second player. The third player will have to be Kevin Hartman with his 5 saves overall and late game performance. Yes, he got the foul that caused the PK but when needed, he kept this game in the W column.
The Wizards now have 25 points and are in a 3-way tie for 4th in East. In the playoff race KC are tied for the last spot.
Next up for the Wizards are the Colorado Rapids.
OG
Kansas City Soccer Review 