Kansas City Wizards 0-0 Chicago Fire

by Dan Gaichas

KANSAS CITY, KS--The Chicago Fire and the Kansas City Wizards played to a goalless draw at Community America Ballpark, but that perhaps will not be the major story.  Chad Barrett did not make the trip to Kansas City likely in anticipation of being traded to Toronto FC for Brian McBride once McBride signs with MLS.  The other main story is that the Fire will lose Diego Gutierrez and Cuauhtémoc Blanco for the next league match against Chivas USA due to yellow card accumulation. 

Chris Rolfe had the best chance for the Fire in the 14th minute as his shot from outside the area forced a save by Wizards keeper Kevin Hartman.

Davy Arnaud had the best shot of the night for the Wizards in the 15th minute as he got a foot off Claudio Lopez’s corner kick, but his effort was saved by Fire keeper Jon Busch.  Roger Espinoza also came close for the Wizards in the 52nd minute, but Busch was able to push his effort onto the crossbar. 

A few minutes later, the Fire would receive two yellow cards to two players who will miss next Saturday’s match against Chivas USA on what Fire head coach Denis Hamlett labeled “ridiculous calls.”  Gutierrez was booked in the 55th minute for what looked like a harmless foul on Davy Arnaud.  Two minutes later, Blanco picked up his first (and only) foul of the match on Kurt Morsnik, compared to the three he suffered at the hands of the Wizards for a league-leading 53, and was booked by referee Mark Geiger. 

The second half saw more of the same with both teams creating chances and taking none of them.  The Fire did see some enterprising play from substitutes Patrick Nyarko and Stephen King.  Both got in shots at the Wizards’ goal.  Nyarko’s shot was saved by Hartman while King’s was wide of the target.

This is just the start of a busy week for the Fire.  On Wednesday, the Fire take on English Premiership side Everton FC at Toyota Park.  Then on Saturday, the Fire host Chivas USA without Diego Gutierrez and without Cuauhtémoc Blanco.  Kickoff for both matches is at 7:30pm.  The latter of the two matches will be on WPWR (my50) and HDNet. 

SCORING SUMMARY:

None

BOOKING SUMMARY:

CHI-John Thorrington (caution, pushing) 21

CHI-Diego Gutierrez (caution, professional foul) 55

CHI-Cuauhtémoc Blanco (caution, dissent) 57

KC-Roger Espinoza (caution, tackle from behind) 59

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (4-4-2):  #1-Kevin Hartman, #14-Jack Jewsbury, #12-Jimmy Conrad (C), #15-Aaron Holbein (#33-Nelson Pizzaro 80), #2-Michael Harrington, #9-Sasha Victorine, #11-Kurt Morsnik,  #17-Roger Espinoza, #22-Davy Arnaud, #7-Claudio Lopez (#23-Ivan Trujillo 84), #16-Josh Wolff (#29-Ryan Pore 84)

Subs not used:  #18-Eric Kronberg, #5-Kerry Zavagnin, #6-Lance Watson, #20-Tyson Wahl

CHICAGO FIRE (4-4-2):  #1-Jon Busch, #25-Gonzalo Segares (#24-Daniel Woolard 89), #4-Bakary Soumare, #22-Wilman Conde, #8-Diego Gutierrez, #7-Logan Pause, #11-John Thorrington, #10-Cuauhtémoc Blanco (C), #21-Justin Mapp, #17-Chris Rolfe (#33-Stephen King 77), #9-Tomasz Frankowski (#12-Patrick Nyarko 63)

Subs not used:  #28-Nick Noble, #20-Mike Banner, #23-Lider Marmol, #26-Andy Herron

TOTAL SHOTS:  KC 13-9 CHI

SHOTS ON GOAL:  KC 8-5 CHI

FOULS:  KC 8-8 CHI

OFFSIDES:  KC 2-2 CHI

CORNER KICKS:  KC 3-4 CHI

SAVES:  KC 5-8 CHI

Referee: Mark Geiger

Referee’s Assistants:  Thomas Supple; Michael Salyers

4th Official: Terry Vaughn

Weather:  Sunny and 92º

Attendance:  10,385

Man of the Match:  Jon Busch (CHI) with eight saves.

Second Star:  Kevin Hartman (KC) with five saves.

Third Star:  Wilman Conde (CHI) who was the best defender on the pitch.