MLS Game #17
Saturday, July 31, 2010, 7:30 p.m. CT
English TV: KCWE 29
Spanish TV: KCWE 29 (SAP)
CommunityAmerica Ballpark | Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 87 degrees, clear
Attendance: 10,385 – SOLD OUT
Score: 1 2 F
Kansas City Wizards (5-8-4, 19 pts) 0 1 1
Toronto FC (6-6-5, 23 pts) 0 0 0
Kansas City Wizards: Jimmy Nielsen; Michael Harrington, Shavar Thomas, Jimmy Conrad, Roger Espinoza; Davy Arnaud©, Stéphane Auvray, Craig Rocastle (Jack Jewsbury 77); Kei Kamara (Birahim Diop 90), Teal Bunbury, Ryan Smith (Josh Wolff 58)
Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Korede Aiyegbusi, Nick Kounenakis, Graham Zusi
Toronto FC: Stefan Frei; Dan Gargan, Nana Attakora, Adrian Cann, Nick Garcia©; Nick LaBrocca, Jacob Peterson (Dwayne De Rosario 58), Julian de Guzman, Joseph Nane (Gabe Gala 73); Maicon Santos, Mista (Chad Barrett 58)
Subs not used: Jon Conway, Maksim Usanov, Raivis Hscanovics, O’Brian White
Stats: KC TFC
Shots 9 11
Shots on Goal 3 2
Saves 2 2
Fouls 9 14
Offside 4 3
Corner Kicks 4 3
Misconduct Summary:
TOR -- Adrian Cann (caution; Reckless Foul) 22
KC -- Teal Bunbury (caution; Unsporting Behavior) 68
TOR -- Nick LaBrocca (caution; Reckless Foul) 86
Scoring Summary:
KC -- Teal Bunbury 2 (unassisted) 62
(July 31, 2010) – The Kansas City Wizards topped Toronto FC 1-0 Saturday night in front of a sellout crowd at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Rookie striker and Canada native Teal Bunbury scored the game’s lone goal, putting Kansas City ahead for good in the 62nd minute. Bunbury now has two MLS goals on the season, both of which have been game winners. Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen made two saves to record his 7th shutout of the season.
Kansas City had a pair of half chances early in the first half, but neither resulted in a dangerous shot. In the 18th minute, the Wizards broke out on the counter, but Davy Arnaud was flagged for offside as Kei Kamara looked to connect a centering pass. In the 23rd minute, a nice movement sprang Craig Rocastle, but he was taken down by Adrian Cann as the English midfielder looked to slip in behind the defense. Cann received a yellow card on the play, and Toronto cleared the ensuing free kick without trouble.
The best play of the first half came from Kansas City goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, who denied Toronto FC striker Mista in the 43rd minute. Mista made a nice run in behind the defense, brought the ball down cleanly and fired on goal from the top of the penalty area, but Nielsen dove to his right and parried the ball out of play for another highlight-reel save.
Kansas City pushed the game early in the second half, eventually breaking through when Bunbury capitalized on a poor clearance in the 62nd minute. The play started with Kansas City left back Roger Espinoza clearing the ball up field. Toronto defender Cann attempted to clear, but his header directed toward his own net, and Bunbury charged in behind the defense. Bunbury got to the ball first, driving a powerful header toward on goal from 18 yards out. Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei had come quickly off his line and got a touch to the shot, but the ball bounced off the crossbar and over the line for Bunbury’s 2nd MLS goal.
The Wizards continued to push, with Espinoza hitting a long-range shot to Frei in the 87th minute and substitute striker Josh Wolff stinging a long-range effort in the 90th minute that Frei did well to save.
Kansas City returns to MLS play next Saturday, when they will host the defending MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake at 7:30 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Real Salt Lake currently sits in second place in the Western Conference after a decisive 3-0 victory over D.C. United Saturday. Kansas City lost to RSL in the first meeting of the year 4-1 on May 29th at Rio Tinto Stadium.
Fast Facts:
• Kansas City is now 5-8-4 (19 pts) on the season.
• The Wizards jumped to 4th place in the Eastern Conference with the win. Chicago, who is two points back of Kansas City, hosts Los Angeles Sunday.
• Kansas City is now 4-3-3 all-time against Toronto, including a 3-1-1 record at home.
• The Wizards scored the first goal in the game for the 6th time this season.
• Kansas City is 5-0-1 when striking first.
• Rookie forward Teal Bunbury scored the game’s lone goal.
• He now has two goals on the season in MLS play.
• Both of his goals have been game-winners, tying him for 9th in MLS in that category.
• Bunbury, a Canada native, has now scored two goals in his last three MLS games.
• Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen made two saves for his 7th shutout of the season.
• He is now 4th in MLS in shutouts and was in 3rd place in saves (53) after the game.
• Defender Nick Kounenakis suited up in the 18-man roster for the first time.
• Kansas City was without striker Zoltan (torn ACL).
