The Kansas City Wizards endured a physical outing against USSF Division II side A.C. St Louis on Saturday night, but managed to prevail and produce a 2-1 victory at the Anheuser- Busch Soccer Park in Fenton, Missouri.
Forward Zoltan got the Wizards started with a goal in the 31st minute before A.C. St. Louis responded with a penalty kick midway through the second half. Midfielder Santiago Hirsig struck the winning goal for the Wizards six minutes from time.
The Wizards started the first half brightly, controlling possession and doing well to put attackers in good positions to score. However, despite out-shooting St. Louis by a wide margin, Kansas City couldn’t gain an advantage in the match early on.
Zoltan finally got the Wizards on the board with an opportunistic goal, taking advantage of a misplayed back pass by ACSL goalkeeper Alec Dufty. Zoltan took the ball off Dufty’s feet as he tried to control it, with the Hungarian finishing past two defenders on the goal line to give the Wizards a 1-0 lead.
St. Louis was able to even the score in the second half from the penalty spot, after goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen was adjudged to have brought down a St. Louis attacker in the box. Forward Elvir Kafedzic calmly netted the ensuing penalty.
The Wizards would get the wining goal just six minutes from time through midfielder Santiago Hirsig. The Argentinean did well to fight through the ACSL defense to get on the end of a Craig Rocastle service from a freekick, sliding the ball into the back of the net for the winning goal.
The Wizards will return to action next week, as they continue their 2010 MLS campaign with a game at home against the Colorado Rapids. Kickoff for the match at CommunityAmerica Ballpark is set for 7:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, April 10th.
Lineups:
Kansas City Wizards: Jimmy Nielsen; Michael Harrington, Jimmy Conrad (Pablo Escobar 62’), Matt Besler, Roger Espinoza; Kei Kamara, Craig Rocastle, Santiago Hirsig, Jack Jewsbury (Graham Zusi 63’), Teal Bunbury; Zoltan (Korede Aiyegbusi 57’)
A.C. St. Louis: Alec Dufty; Zach Bauer, John Lesko (Dillon Barna 82’), Tim Velten, Anthony O’Garro; Manuel Kante, Mark Bloom, Troy Cole (Ryan Moore 45’), Luke Kreamalmeyer; Elvir Kafedzic (Jeff Cosgriff 70’), Michael Ambersley (Gilbert Pogesyan 72’)
Notes:
- Shortly after the penalty kick, forward Zoltan went down due to a knee injury and was taken off the field on a stretcher. He will undergo an MRI on Monday.
- The win marks Kansas City’s second triumph in two games against A.C. St. Louis. The Wizards prevailed 2-0 against ACSL in an exhibition match on March 19th
at the Wizards' Swope Park Training Facility.
- The Kansas City Wizards reserves were also in action Saturday, as they defeated the University of Evansville 5-0 just before the first team’s game against A.C. St. Louis. Indian forward Sunil Chhetri had a hat trick in the match, with Graham Zusi and Mauro Fuzetti each contributing a goal as well.
Kansas City Wizards Defeat A.C. St. Louis
