~ Biggest news of the day: Rookie Jonathan Leathers was named to the 22-player roster for the US U-23 team that will compete in the Toulan Invitational Tournament in France. The US will play Turkey, Italy and Ivory Coast later this month — all on FSC. The team arrives in Toulon on Thursday, so Leathers will be unavailable for the Wizards next two matches: Saturday at New York and next week at LA. Leathers has appeared for KC in four games this season (three starts), but has not played in the team’s last two games and was not on the 18-man roster at Columbus.
~ Following New York’s 2-1 victory over LA on Saturday night, an MSG network anchor previewed the Red Bulls next game: Saturday, May 17th against the Kansas City Lizards. Hmm.
~ Finally, Kansas City’s partner squad, Atlas AC in Mexico, advanced to the quaterfinals of Copa Libertadores with their 2-2 draw against Argentina’s Lanus last week, but will miss out on the Clausara league playoffs after drawing 0-0 yesterday in their two-leg series with Necaxa and losing out on the regular season record tiebreaker. Atlas faces Argentine superpower Boca Juniors on Wednesday in Copa Libertadores action.
Against the top team in the league and on the road, the Wizards couldn’t make many mistakes if they expected a positive result. The boys in blue made several on Saturday, the first coming in the 4th minute of the game as Columbus opened the scoring on a Guillermo Barros Schelotto freekick. Tyson Wahl hacked down the Argentine 30 yards from goal after being nutmegged, and then was beaten by Chad Marshall on the ensuing service to the backpost. Marshall’s high arching header looped across the goal mouth where three Wizards (Jimmy Conrad, Jack Jewsbury, and Michael Harrington) were outjumped by Adam Moffat, whose header beat a hesitant to come out Kevin Hartman.
The Crew’s lead was then doubled through a cheeky bicycle kick through ball played by Alejandro Moreno. Miscommunication between Hartman and rookie Chance Myers allowed the speedy Robbie Rogers to tap the ball into the open net in the 34th minute. Two minutes later, Myers’ fellow first round draft pick Roger Espinoza complicated matters when he was sent off for a deliberate forearm to the chest of Frankie Hejduk.
Lucky to be at the half only down two, the Wizards second-half performance was sparked by the halftime insertion of Scott Sealy. The Trinidadian drew a soft penalty when he went down after a Danny O’Rourke shirt tug was whistled instantly in the 78th minute. Claudio Lopez converted it for the Wizards, hitting it hard and low down the middle. Why didn’t Jewsbury step up to the spot, as he did in the Wizards only other penalty attempt of the season? Listeners to Thursday’s Jimmy Conrad Show know that there was some gamesmanship going on between Jewsbury and former Wizard and current Crew keeper Will Hesmer. The two bantered about their confidence facing a familiar foe should the situation arise on Saturday. Sure enough it did and Hesmer — 2 for 2 on pk saves this season prior to Saturday — was forced to face newly acquired and therefore unfamiliar El Piojo.
Video highlights here. KC Star and Columbus Dispatch both with separate stories by Shawn Mitchell. On Sunday, the Wizards reserves tied Columbus reserves 1-1. Ryan Pore missed a pk in the match.
The Wizards are off next week before returning to action at New York on May 17th. After starting 2-0, Kansas City has gone 1-3-1 in its last five, scoring just three goals in the stretch (two from the pk spot).
Greg Lalas featured KC in his April wrap-up piece earlier this week. His “Five Reasons to Watch KC” has some solid points and this particularly poignant line: “Claudio Lopez is the most exciting thing to hit KC since barbecue sauce.” He also credits Chance Myers, CommunityAmerica Ballpark, Bruce Arena, and the attacking mentality as deserving attention.
Reports out of Columbus say the Crew’s Argentine defender Gino Padula will not play tomorrow because of a knee ligament strain; he will likely be replaced by veteran Ezra Hendrickson. Also, goalkeeper and former Wizard Will Hesmer (2004-06) will be a gameday decision after suffering a dislocated shoulder last week against Houston. His backup is local boy Andy Gruenebaum (Overland Park, Blue Valley North HS).
Adding some spice to the Sunday reserves game, the Crew were interested in new developmental signing Kevin Souter but were under the impression he was ineligible. The Wizards waited until the new waiver order was set following week 4 and, due to Columbus’ hot start, had priority over the Crew.
Hillcrest Road links to a write-up on Ryan Pore in his hometown paper. Mansfield, Ohio is 65 miles from Columbus and the article says Ryan will have 600 supporters in attendance for the match — which could be his 50th MLS appearance. Ryan is returning from a broken nose.
The game is also a homecoming of sorts for rookie Roger Espinoza. The Ohio State product spent his junior year in Columbus, reaching the national championship before signing with Generation Adidas and entering the draft.
On a related note, Kevin Hartman was born in Athens, Ohio, approximately 75 miles from Columbus.
The matchup also features a reunion with former player and assistant/interim coach Brian Bliss, now in his first season as the Crew’s technical director.
And last but not least, let us all wish David Beckham a happy 33rd birthday today. MLS’ poster child gets to celebrate in, of all places, Salt Lake City.
Kansas City’s partner club, Atlas AC, won 1-0 yesterday in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16. The Mexican side was away to Lanus (Argentina) but secured the victory through Bruno Mariani’s cheeky first half finish. Highlights below.
