EXCLUSIVE | KC Wizards remain undefeated against Colorado Rapids

The Kansas City Wizards continue their unbeaten streak by defeating the Colorado Rapids 1-0 in a physical match; thanks to a second half goal by Kei Kamara. The victory allows the Kansas City Wizards to move atop the Eastern Conference. The Wizards are yet to give up a goal this year thanks in part by the excellent play tonight by goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen.

Image not recovered: KC Wizards ChhetriTonight’s lone goal came from a header by Kei Kamara in the 48th minute from a Ryan Smith freekick. The Wizards controlled most of the game, keeping Rapids strikers Conor Casey and Omar Cummings from receiving quality passes and looks at the goal. The Wizards however, set themselves up several times to put the ball in the back of the net, but seemed to come up short on more than one occasion. With this victory the Wizards go to 2-0-0, while the Colorado Rapids fall to 1-1-1.

Despite the officiating at times appearing to be against the Wizards and the physicality of the match, Ryan Smith who was injured two weeks ago against D.C. United showed no signs of letting it affect his game. The winger nearly stole the show by almost scoring several goals within the first 10 minutes. Ryan Smith would blow past Colorado defender Kosuke Kimura in the first two minutes delivering a ball across the box that was kicked out for a corner.

Colorado was not without their chances to score a goal, but came up short in the 25th minute when a long throw in was dropped to Cummings, who fired a shot that goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen hot out for a corner with his head.

Colorado should have scored again in the first-half stoppage time when Cummings found Medhi Ballouchy unmarked in the area. But the Moroccan midfielder shot over the bar.

That miss would later prove to be costly, because three minutes into the second half Kamara gave the Wizards the lead. The Colorado Rapids would commit a foul that would allow Ryan Smith to send the ball into the area of the goal. Kei Kamara would put his high flying skills into action by heading the ball past Colorado Rapids’ goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

The Wizards were determined to not settle on just a 1 goal lead as they would continue to put the pressure on the Rapids’ defense; several Wizard players would take shots both on and off of goal. The excitement would continue away from the ball as the Rapids’ defender Julien Baudet was given a straight red card for a dangerous and reckless challenge on Kei Kamara around the 72nd minute. However, the call would ultimatly have little impact on the game as the Wizards were able to hold on to their second straight home victory.

Indian striker Sunil Chhetri has yet to receive all paperwork and was not in the 18-man squad for the Colorado game. He is a part of the team but only eligible to play non-league games until all paperwork is done.

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Scoring Summary: KC – Kei Kamara (Ryan Smith) 48'

Misconduct Summary: KC – Kei Kamara (caution, Reckless Foul) 39'
COL – Julien Baudet (caution, Reckless Foul) 43'
COL – Pablo Mastroeni (caution, Dissent) 44'
KC – Ryan Smith (caution, Dissent) 45'
COL – Julien Baudet (dismissal, Serious Foul Play) 72'

Attendance: 10,228
Weather: Clear and 70 degrees

Kory Buys writes for FootballKerala.com

Photos by Jimmy Moore

From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Sunday 11 April 2010, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.