A 1-0 loss to the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium finally put an end to the 2010 season for the Kansas City Wizards.
Shalrie Joseph scored the decisive goal after 31 minutes to hand the Revolution their second consecutive win. Kansas City fought furiously to find the two goals required to keep their hopes alive, but their inability to finish their chances sent the Colorado Rapids to the playoffs for the first time since 2006.
A concussion to Jimmy Conrad in training this week forced Kansas City manager Peter Vermes to make yet another change in the Kansas City defense. Shavar Thomas, who recently returned from international duty with Jamaica, partnered with Matt Besler in central defense. Ryan Smith (personal matters) also missed out and allowed Josh Wolff to continue on the left flank.
Jason Griffiths and Seth Sinovic earned recalls to the starting lineup as New England adjusted to a pair of suspensions. Griffiths partnered with Joseph in the midfield while Cory Gibbs and Pat Phelan served suspensions for caution accumulation, while Sinovic returned at left back. Sinovic's insertion shifted Emmanuel Osei into central defense and threw Chris Tierney into a right back role.
Joseph nearly put New England ahead in the third minute. The Revolution captain played a deft one-two with Marko Perovic on the edge of the penalty area to create enough room to shoot. Joseph's ensuing effort clanked off the woodwork to preserve parity.
Kansas City improved after the early escape, but the Wizards couldn't quite engineer the necessary breakthrough. Kei Kamara saw his shouts for a penalty waved away after falling under Sinovic's challenge, while a couple of tempting chances from corner kicks failed to yield any results.
New England employed a direct route through the Kansas City back four to notch the opener after 31 minutes. Tierney played a long ball straight down the center of the park. Joseph beat the wandering Jimmy Nielsen to the hopeful hoof and nodded the ball around the Wizards goalkeeper. Joseph collected the ball and slotted home his fourth goal of the season to hand the Revolution the lead heading into halftime.
Kamara attempted to respond for the Wizards with a 59th minute free kick. The Sierra Leone international thumped his drive from all of 30 yards, but the effort just whistled past the far post as Kansas City continued to press.
Teal Bunbury went even closer ten minutes later as he hit the outside of the post from a tight angle. Bunbury's effort marked the start of a furious spell in which the Wizards threw everything they had forward, while the Revs wondered how they were denied a penalty after Matt Besler bundled over Marko Perovic in the penalty area.
Tensions flared as Kansas City furiously searched for the two goals they required to keep their playoff dreams alive, but the Revs held on gamely to ensure the Wizards would join them on the outside of the playoff picture.
Kansas City Wizards 0 at New England Revolution 1
Kansas City Wizards (10-13-6) vs. New England Revolution (9-15-5)
October 16, 2010 -- Gillette Stadium
Scoring Summary:
NE -- Shalrie Joseph 4 (Chris Tierney 4) 31
Kansas City Wizards -- Jimmy Nielsen, Michael Harrington (Jonathan Leathers 43), Matt Besler, Shavar Thomas (Chance Myers 75), Roger Espinoza, Kei Kamara, Davy Arnaud, Jack Jewsbury (Graham Zusi 70), Craig Rocastle, Josh Wolff, Teal Bunbury.
New England Revolution -- Bobby Shuttleworth, Chris Tierney, Darrius Barnes, Emmanuel Osei, Seth Sinovic, Sainey Nyassi, Jason Griffiths, Shalrie Joseph, Kenny Mansally, Ilija Stolica (Zack Schilawski 75), Marko Perovic (Kheli Dube 89).
Misconduct Summary:
KC -- Jack Jewsbury (caution; Reckless Foul) 29
KC -- Roger Espinoza (caution; Reckless Tackle) 68
NE -- Kenny Mansally (caution; Reckless Tackle) 78
NE -- Emmanuel Osei (caution; Reckless Foul) 91+
Referee: Jair Marrufo
Referee's Assistants: Peter Balciunas; Jason Cullum
4th Official: Jeff Gontarek
Attendance: 18,298
Time of Game: 1:54
Weather: Partly Cloudy-and-49-degrees
