The Kansas City Wizards saw their run in the MLS Cup Playoffs come to an end Saturday night, falling 2-0 to the Columbus Crew in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series, losing the series 3-1 on aggregate.
The Crew promised to push the attack once they were able to shed the tight confines of CommunityAmerica Ballpark for their familiar home at Crew Stadium, and they got an early goal from Brad Evans in the seventh minute and an insurance score from Robbie Rogers in the 58th for the victory.
After escaping with a 1-1 tie in the first leg at Kansas City on Nov. 1 thanks to a stoppage-time goal, the Crew were the aggressor from the onset of Game 2. They were rewarded with a home game for the Eastern Conference Championship on Thurs., Nov. 13 when they will play host to the Chicago Fire. The Crew have lost their four previous appearances in conference finals.
Columbus, the Supporters' Shield winner as the team with the regular-season record, was able to spread the field with sharp passes and use the open space on the flanks on both goals.
The first goal was a clinical strike. The buildup began just inside the Crew half when midfielder Eddie Gaven dropped the ball to defensive midfielder Brian Carroll. As the defenders edged toward him, Carroll popped the ball over the Wizards backline, where Evans outraced defender Jimmy Conrad and took the ball on the dribble in full stride on the left wing.
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, seeing that he was the last line of defense, charged out to within a couple of yards of the top of the penalty area but was too late to prevent Evans from chipping the ball over him. The ball took several bounces and settled into the right netting.
It was an ominous sign for the Wizards because the Crew were 13-0 when scoring first during the 2008 season.
Still, Kansas City settled down after the score and nearly got the tying marker in the 15th minute when midfielder Kevin Souter's service from the right side was landed the feet of forward Abe Thompson at the edge of the goal area. As Thompson struck the ball, Hesmer went to his knees and grabbed it before nestling it to his chest.
The Wizards had trouble penetrating the final third and didn't have another shot in the half until the ball ping-ponged for several seconds before Conrad laced a low drive from 20 yards that missed the left post by a yard in stoppage time.
Columbus had seven shots in the first half with two on goal while the Wizards had two shots. The Crew had six of the 11 fouls and the lone yellow card went to K.C.'s Davy Arnaud in the 39th for his challenge of Evans.
There was only one change from the 22 starting players from both teams in Game 1. Kansas City rookie midfielder Roger Espinoza, who played only few miles away at Ohio State last season, replaced the suspended Herculez Gomez. The match featured past two MLS Defenders of the Year in 2007 winner Conrad and this year's recipient, Chad Marshall of Columbus.
With Kansas City looking for any opportunity for the equalizer after the break, the Crew took advantage of a counterattack for their second goal. Naturally, forward Guillermo Barros Schelotto was involved.
The MLS assist leader (19) pushed Alejandro Moreno ahead with a vertical ball on the right side. Moreno was unimpeded as he crossed into the box before sending a pass through the goalmouth. Rogers ran onto the ball and struck it inside the near post with his left foot, leaving Hartman no chance for a save.
Former Kansas City goalkeeper William Hesmer made two saves on the night, the last being an easy stop of a Claudio Lopez free kick in the 89th minute. The Crew held a 13-6 shot advantage for the game.
A second K.C. caution went to defender Tyson Wahl after tackling Alejandro Moreno in the 49th minute and Evans (63rd) and Rogers (66) were booked for fouling Arnaud. The Crew also had yellows issued to defender Frankie Hejduk for delay of game in the 87th and Emmanuel Ekpo (90th).
Columbus won the regular season series with two wins and a 3-3 tie in Columbus on July 17. The Crew won seven games in a row at home afterwards to finish 11-2-2 regular-season home record. Kansas City went on a 5-1-1 run at the end of the season to qualify for the fourth spot in the East on the last weekend.
The Crew, in their first postseason appearance since last winning the Supporters' Shield in 2004, were 0-2-4 in their past six playoff games since 2002 before downing the Wizards.
Craig Merz is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
