The Kansas City Wizards defeated Manchester United in an exhibition match Sunday by a score of 2-1. Jimmy Conrad was sent off late in the first period on a controversial call but the Wizards outlasted the Red Devils the remainder of the match with only ten men to gain the victory.
The Kansas City Wizards entered the match with a record of 4-8-4 while Manchester United suffered their first loss on their pre-season tour of North America. The Wizards will now break for the All Star week.
Wichita soccer fan Joey Mashaw is a huge Manchester United fan. “Having Manchester United tour in the states is wonderful. It just goes to show how much the U.S. has advanced in the eyes of the world as far as soccer--the world’s biggest soccer club came here to play,” said Mashaw.
Manchester United captain Ryan Giggs agreed that American soccer is definitely on the rise. "You can see it in the standard of the teams, the standard of the national team, the interest within the crowd and the fans," he said.
The Wizards took the lead early in the match when midfielder Davy Arnaud beat an offside trap by United and took a great pass from Kei Kamara. Arnaud dribbled into the penalty area and found himself one-on-one against backup keeper Ben Amos. Arnaud calmly slotted the ball into the lower left corner and the Wizards led 1-0.
There was some controversy in the 41st minute as United’s Dimitar Berbatov received a pass from Ryan Giggs. The Wizards’ Jimmy Conrad took Berbatov down inside the box and received a red card. Replays showed that Conrad actually got to the ball ahead of Berbatov. Nevertheless, Berbatov converted for United on the penalty kick to even the score and the Wizards played the rest of the match down a man.
Forward Kei Kamara scored the game-winning goal moments later, heading in Ryan Smith's corner kick over Amos and off the underside of the crossbar. The ball landed just inside of the goal line, giving the Wizards a 2-1 lead just before halftime.
The second half of the match was played with a furious pace that featured several near misses. But the Wizards held on with only 10 men to notch the victory.
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Sunday's match was the first event in the newly renovated Arrowhead Stadium, the home of the Kansas City Chiefs. City officials are enthusiastic about their chances of hosting World Cup games in 2018 or 2022 if the U.S is selected to host. 54,424 fans attended the match against Manchester United, smashing the previous record in Kansas City of 37,319 fans, who watched the U.S. Men's
National Team defeat Costa Rica 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier in 2001. The ability to attract large crowds will be a big selling point to both FIFA and U.S. Soccer as World Cup match locations are planned in the future.
Manchester United plays in the English Premier League and are in their midst of their preseason games. United was without several of its star players, including Wayne Rooney, who is relaxing after playing on England’s World Cup Finals team. Coach Alex Ferguson chose to play a relatively young team against the Wizards, lining up back up goalkeeper Ben Amos, Ritchie De Laet and Mame Biram Diouf with more experienced players like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Dimitar Berbatov.
Manchester United's tour of North American continues Wednesday in Houston against the MLS All-Stars and concludes Friday in Mexico against Chivas Guadalajara. The Red Devils opened their North American tour with a 3-1 victory over Celtic FC of Scotland in Toronto on July 16 and beat the Philadelphia Union 1-0.
The Kansas City Wizards return to league action Saturday against Toronto.
Comments
My son and I drove from Cloquet, MN to watch this match. It was hot and muggy, but nonetheless, a thrill to see United and be part of the atmosphere that was created at Arrowhead Stadium last night. Even though the outcome of the game was a disappointment for me personally,(I'm positive that 2nd goal by KC never crossed the line) it was a big plus for American soccer. Soccer is growing at a steady pace and Kansas City proved they are one of the many places in the USA that is incubating that interest.
The beautiful game is growing and here to stay. In the middle of Billy Bob America, The Wizards are averaging 12,000 in attendance and 52,000 plus came to see them play Manchester United! Beautiful! Major League Soccer is making all the right moves, onto a steady growth for the league and the game in the US. Thierry Henry will certainly help!
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