Wizards impress in Gold Cup play
Arnaud, Espinoza both score for international teams
Confused? The paradox can be explained with one word: tripleheader.
Wizards players took part in all three games in Saturday's trio of matches at the suburban Boston venue and racked up goals by Davy Arnaud and Roger Espinoza in the two CONCACAF Gold Cup matches that followed the scoreless MLS opener.
While many would have expected one of the 14 Wizards involved in the first match of the tripleheader against the Revolution to collect a goal or two, Kansas City found New England goalkeeper Matt Reis (a career-high 11 saves) in inspired form and had to settle for a 0-0 draw.
As day turned into night, the Wizards' goalscoring form improved considerably.
It took Davy Arnaud just six minutes to celebrates his fourth appearance with the United States with his first international goal in the 2-2 draw with Haiti.
"It was a good ball in behind the defense from Stuart Holden," Arnaud said. "He timed it well. I just tried to get my body across the defender and slip it under the 'keeper. It felt great to score for our national team."
Jimmy Conrad, Arnaud's teammate for club and country, had perhaps the best perspective on Arnaud's achievement of any K.C.-based player. Conrad started and played 90 minutes in central defense while also serving as captain for the evening.
"I'm very excited for Davy," said Conrad, who also played for the U.S. at the 2006 FIFA World Cup. "He took it really well, kind of opened up his body. Stuart played a great ball, just tucked underneath his shoulder. It was a good classic finish by Davy. It's something that I know he's capable of since I see it on a regular basis for the Wizards, and it was nice that he got to prove himself the international level. Hopefully, he'll get another opportunity to prove himself again."
Espinoza followed up Arnaud's maiden goal for his country by collecting his second goal in his national colors in Honduras' 4-0 win against Grenada. Honduras coach Reinaldo Rueda said the goal was just another sign of how Espinoza has progressed over the past few months.
"For all of Honduras, it is very satisfying to see Roger's play," Rueda said. "Fortunately, he has shown us a clear progression from the time we first brought him in, through the World Cup qualifiers and in this Gold Cup. I think his involvement will continue to be a positive thing for both sides -- not just for him, but for the national team."
The Wizards midfielder said his apprenticeship with Honduran national team during World Cup qualifiers has aided that development.
"Coach has given opportunities to all the young players coming up in Honduras," Espinoza said. "He had me in during the qualifying games and I didn't get to play, but it was very important just being there I got a lot of experience. That's very important for Honduras, because all the young players are getting an opportunity."
An opportunity not unlike the one the Wizards seized on Saturday to celebrate two goals without scoring at all.
Kyle McCarthy is a contributor to MLSnet.com.
