Wizards move closer to playoff spot

Kansas City fails to move up standings, keeps Fire from clinching

Kevin Hartman came up with a few nifty saves to limit the Fire to Cuauhtemoc Blanco's PK goal. (T. Shea/Getty)

An early second-half goal from Michael Harrington brought the Wizards level after the Chicago Fire took the initial lead with a 44th-minute penalty kick by Cuauhtemoc Blanco.

The draw puts the Wizards at 33 points, tied with D.C. United and one point behind FC Dallas and Colorado, who are tied for the last wildcard playoff spot. The Fire remain in third place in the Eastern Conference, a point behind the New England Revolution with playoff qualfication still at least a week away.

The match represented opportunity for Kansas City as they were looking to take advantage of helpful results over the weekend in the first of three consecutive home games out of their final four of the season.

Two early corners for Kansas City, a yellow card to the Fire's John Thorrington, and a Blanco shot fired low but wide right of the Kansas City goal in the third minute revealed each team's ambition to get the early opener.

Smooth interplay in midfield executed by Kansas City as they searched to exploit space on the wings tempered Chicago's quick counters. But it was the Fire who had the best chances.

In the 21st minute, Fire forward Brian McBride struck low for goal 13 yards out from the right. His attempt evaded traffic and found strike partner Chris Rolfe, who tapped in easily at the far left post. However, Rolfe was offside and the goal was properly disallowed.

Six minutes on, Blanco freed left midfielder Justin Mapp on the flank. Mapp broke diagonally toward goal as K.C. right back Jonathan Leathers pursued, but Mapp released quickly and forced goalkeeper Kevin Hartman to the ground for the save.

Harrington pushed the attack in the 38th minute for the home side. His 40-yard run down the left sideline beat a few defenders and allowed him to cross along the end line for Herculez Gomez in the center of the box. But Gomez's half-volley rocketed high and into the sellout crowd.

Kansas City had strangled momentum away from the Fire through their tight defense and nearly took the lead in the 42nd minute. Forward Abe Thompson was fouled as he tried to turn to goal some 25 yards out. Gomez took the resulting free kick and drove a ball that skimmed off the top of the crossbar, a chance that would soon loom larger.

Trying to track down a Thorrington cross into K.C.'s box aimed for McBride, Harrington raised his arms and was called for a handball. The offense, on a ball that would have likely gone out of bounds, meant a penalty kick for former Mexican international Blanco. The 35-year-old ran up and deposited the ball into the right corner for the Fire lead just before halftime.

But Harrington would soon clear his name. Three minutes after the break, Gomez collected an errant Blanco back heel intended for Mapp on the left wing. Gomez quickly found Wolff just outside the Chicago box on the right, and Wolff fed across the area for an open Harrington, who took one touch inside and laced a right-footed beauty into the upper right corner of the goal. The goal was the second-year left back's second of the season.

The events seemed to have little impact on the Fire, though, as they continued to pressure the Kansas City goal. The 56th minute brought back-to-back chances for the visitors through a free kick and a goalmouth scramble, but Kansas City survived and kept alive their chance to break into the top eight for the first time since early in the season.

Two substitutions indicated Kansas City's intention to try and take the needed full three points. Colombian Ivan Trujillo replaced Thompson up front and back Tyson Wahl was substituted out by Roger Espinoza who took up as a third forward in the 71st minute.

The changes did little as the game stalled into a midfield battle from which little in the way of chances materialized. Each side would gain a point, one that provided little in the way of progress for Kansas City's playoff future while also keeping Chicago on ice for the time being as well.

Kansas City plays host to the New England Revolution next Saturday in another match with sure playoff implications for the Wizards while Chicago will entertain East leader Columbus on Sunday afternoon.

Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.

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