A “total team effort” helps Wizards defeat United 2-0

By: travis | March 30th, 2008

Those were the words of keeper Kevin Hartman in summarizing the Wizards first win of the season. And what a win it is, considering it came against the team that had the best record last season. Goals from Ivan Trujillo and Claudio Lopez gave them a victory that every player on the field contributed to.

Everything looked good last night. The stadium was probably the best it could be, considering it is a minor league baseball stadium. The fans filled it up as well, as the sell out crowd of 10,385 was pumping. Chance Myers missed his chance to start the season when a turf toe injury forced him out for the game, with rookie Jonathan Leathers replacing Myers in the starting lineup. Interestingly enough, all the talk about a 3-5-2 formation led to nothing in this first game as the team fielded the traditional 4-4-2.

Things started off pretty shaky, as United held possession well for the first 20 minutes. With two games already under their belt this season, that could be expected, but the Wizards managed to work their way back in the game slowly but surely. The best chance of the first half fell to D.C.’s Luciano Emilio, who blasted a shot right at Hartman who parried it away for a corner.

The two Wizards goals came in the second half. The first goal featured beautiful buildup, as Michael Harrington fired in a pinpoint cross that was one-timed by Jack Jewsbury to a sliding Trujillo who deflected it in past United keeper Zach Wells. The stadium erupted in celebration. El Piojo then got his season off to a fantastic start with a great goal in the 61st minute. He was sent in after a beautifully timed run by Ryan Pore, and just managed to lob the ball in over Wells. A fantastic finish and if he can keep this up, Kansas City will be dangerous.

I wasn’t able to catch the whole game. From what I’ve read and seen, the teams were fairly even, as United pressed to find the net after falling behind 2-0. Hartman made a couple of nice saves and earned his clean sheet, while Jimmy held the backline together well. As the game progressed, the trio of Carlos Marinelli, Lopez, and Trujillo began to mesh. Imagine how dangerous those three can be if they keep this up. Keep in mind that Lopez and Trujillo have only been with the team for a few weeks. It is the first game of the season, but there is a lot to be optimistic about after a win like this.

Last but not least, the stadium worked out great. It was the first sell out crowd in Wizards history, and the atmosphere is much better now that there aren’t thousands of empty seats dotting the crowd. And to top it all off, it was the first win over United in Kansas City in seven years.

Next Opponent: The Rapids come into town on April 5, fresh off a spanking of the L.A. Beckhams/Galaxy. Time to build a winning streak!