Win bolsters Kansas City's postseason hopes

Conrad scores winner to propel Wizards to victory over Dallas

The win moved Kansas City's record to 8-11-6 and, with five games remaining in the regular season, kept alive the Wizards' slim playoff chances. FC Dallas dropped to 7-12-6 and are now in severe danger of missing postseason play.

Kansas City's victory, its third in the past four games, was also its first at home since June 13 (a 3-1 win against New England), going 1-3-1 in that time.

After Santiago Hirsig's ninth-minute header from four yards out, off a Claudio Lopez corner kick, gave Kansas City its early lead, FC Dallas pushed the issue, aided by Conrad's miscues.

The first came in the 44th minute as an errant Conrad pass deep in Kansas City territory was intercepted by FCD's Dax McCarty, who immediately fired a low, crossing shot from Hartman's left to right and into the net from 25 yards out -- providing a huge boost to the visitors at the break.

With both teams pressing for the go-ahead goal early in the second half, Conrad's second miscue came in the 54th minute as the team captain lost possession to FCD midfielder David Ferreira.

Ferreira then closed in on Hartman, forcing the 'keeper to commit. As he did, Ferreira then slid an easy pass in front of the Wizards goal to a wide open Jeff Cunningham, who only had to direct the ball into the net and give FCD a 2-1 lead. For Cunningham, it was the 117th league goal of his career, second all-time in MLS history.

In the 77th minute, Kansas City's Josh Wolff knocked home the game's second equalizer off a redirection from Zoltan, who had entered the game for Davy Arnaud in the same minute. Zoltan's assist, his first of the season, came via deflection off an FCD defender -- the result of another stellar corner kick from Lopez, who earned his seventh assist of the year on the play.

Conrad then made up for his earlier play by sprawling forward in front of the FCD net and heading in a ball deflected by FCD defender George John after a Lopez cross. It was the first goal for Conrad on the season.

The Wizards' late-game heroics were a sharp contrast to the first 45 minutes, which saw FCD dominate tempo as it looked to push after falling behind early.

In the 27th minute, Ferreira played a ball to the left side, leaving it for Marvin Chavez, but Chavez's left-footed attempt from 10 yards away stayed wide of the goal.

Three minutes later, FCD again tried to even the score as Ferreira again forged deep into Kansas City territory. This time, he played for Cunningham, but the forward was whistled for offside.

In the 37th minute, Dave van den Bergh sent a cross in front of the Wizards net for Ferreira. Standing just 5-foot-5, the shorter Ferreira skied for a header against Conrad. He won the battle but lost out on another chance to forge a tie in the first half as his attempt scooted to Hartman's left outside the goal.

As an honor to Lamar Hunt, the deceased original founder and owner of both clubs, an LH was cut into the center circle, and Wizards players wore a patch with the LH insignia as well.

The Wizards will look to keep their late-season charge alive next week when they remain at home to take on the Colorado Rapids, while FC Dallas return to home to take on Real Salt Lake in a must-win game for both teams.

Curtis Kitchen is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

• Facebook
• Supporter Comments
• Email
• Print

MLSnet.com Comments

• 

  Wizards' stadium receives full approval

• 

  Alex Bunbury's son joins Wizards

• 

  Hear from new Wizard Sarkodie

• 

  Three Wizards called to national teams