Saturday, April 28, 2007

Spoilers

The Wizards played the role of spoilers today as Toronto FC opened their new soccer specific stadium, BMO Field. Eddie Johnson's third goal of the season in the 81st minute to give KC the 1-0 win. This game was much more difficult for the Wizards then their 3-0 win at Arrowhead on Wednesday.

Toronto came out pumped for this game, and a sell out, boisterous crowd at BMO Field helped to create a fantastic atmosphere for TFC as they opened their home stadium. In the first half, KC looked completely out of the game, as TFC fed off the noise and energy from the crowd to dominate possession. TFC had a few decent chances, including Maurice Edu going close, and Jack Jewsbury saving a goal off the line late in the first half. The first half was marred by fouls as there were 23 combined fouls in the first half, including a rather rough foul on Wizards keeper Kevin Hartman by TFC forward Danny Dichio. Hartman came out of the box to clear the ball with his head. Dichio came into Hartman not going for the ball with his forearms up around his head pushing into Hartman, who hurt his shoulder on the play. As if not playing well in the first half was enough, Carlos Marinelli came out after only 16 minutes with a tweaked hamstring. It doesn't sound serious, but you never know.

In the second half, it was a completely different game, the Wizards came out confident and controlled the possession of the game. Unlike the first half, the Wizards spent the majority of the half in the Toronto end of the field. Johnson throughout the game had a few chances in each half, but put the ball at Sutton's feet on each those chances. Until the 81st when he made it into a box on a cross by Michael Harrington. Johnson cut inside his defender and then beat TFC goalkeeper Greg Sutton near post to make it 1-0. The Wizards were able to hold off a late onslaught by TFC to win their second road game of the season. That second win is the same number of wins the rest of MLS has in away games this season.

The best part of the game was at the end when all the Wizards players got together at the end of the game. Davy Arnaud is then seen on camera motioning for the rest of the team to come join them in this as the team had a conversation. This shows a great team spirit between the team as they look to be really together and ready for the season. And after an intensity filled game in a hostile environment, even if the team isn't that good (let's face it TFC is not that good a team), it shows that the team is together.

3 Stars of the game
1. TFC Fans - Toronto - Can't give it to anyone but them, the entire stadium was loud and active, it was one of the best atmosphere's I've seen for an MLS game, kudos to them.
2. Eddie Johnson - KC - Even though he missed 5 chances, he finished the one that counted and KC took the win. Eddie looked very good today outside the finishing, the main thing he needs to improve on is just not shooting at the keepers feet.
3. Michael Harrington - KC - The assist man on KC's goal, Harrington had a great game for KC. In the fourth week of the season it currently looks like the Rookie of the Year race could be down to Harrington and Dane Richards.

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