Kansas City loses handle against Seattle
Late rally sinks Wizards on night eliminated from MLS Cup Playoffs
Related
- Highlights: SEA 3, KC 2
Watch
- Marshall scores off a rebound
Watch
- Relive with VW Game Nav
- Wizards downed by Sounders FC
"We wanted to go out and continue to play. [We] felt this was the first game in starting for next year," said interim head coach Peter Vermes of his team's approach to the match. "We have to keep evaluating to see what goes on next year."
Although there were positives, what went on in the previous 90 minutes, the Wizards can not allow to continue next year.
Seattle jumped on top in the 27th minute as Tyrone Marshall found the net from the rebound of a Kevin Hartman save from a Freddie Ljungberg corner kick, the first goal the Wizards have given up from a corner all season. Yet it was the seventh game of 14 at home when the visitors had scored first. The Wizards have lost six of the seven and have won only four in 14 total at CommunityAmerica Ballpark this season.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com But Kansas City regrouped at halftime and pushed the attack, scoring in the 51st and 54th minutes through Zoltan's second goal with the Wizards and Josh Wolff's 11th of the season, his career high.
 |
"We had a lot of game left [at 2-1]. We've been emphasizing that we have to be able to manage the game for 90 minutes," said Vermes. "It was a good response from us in getting the goals, but the unfortunate thing is that we gave up two goals on corner kicks today. Then we gave such a silly ball on the third goal to hurt us like that."
Substitute Roger Levesque evened the score in the 69th minute off a corner before Nate Jaqua sealed the Wizards' fate in the 76th minute after a Ljungberg steal from rookie defender Matt Besler.
"When you are at home and go up two goals, it is time to lock shop up. That's one thing we still have to get better at," Vermes said. "... We still were opened up too much and were giving them too many opportunities on the ball. You're just being a little smarter about the numbers you send forward. We're still a little bit disconnected at times, especially on the transition on their side."
Ljungberg's stripping of Besler was indicative of both what Vermes would like to see from his charges and of the mental errors that have plagued the Wizards all season.
"[Ljungberg's] very smart. He knows how to manage the game. and he puts himself in those positions to get there. There's a lot of experience in that guy, and there's not a lot on our side in that situation." Vermes said. "Easily [Matt Besler] could have knocked that ball out of bounds, and it could have been a throw-in. Those are things you have to learn."
The Wizards created more opportunities of their own in the second half but either Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller stood tall in goal or the finishing touch was missing.
"The real bane of our existence this season is just not scoring the timely goal," said Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad. "We're stepping on somebody's throat, and we don't have the goal to show it. Good teams always find a way to score that crucial goal."
Kansas City will have a chance to put together a complete performance at home next Saturday as they end their season against D.C. United.
"Every game is a step towards next season," said Chance Myers, who was complimented by Vermes for his second-half performance after coming on for Jonathan Leathers, who struggled with a hamstring issue. "Going into next game, [we'll be] building off our comeback today."
"D.C. is a team that obviously has a little fight in them and a lot of pride. It will be a game for both teams to see what's going to happen," added Vermes. "We're going to come out still trying to play, still trying to win, because we have a lot of work to do."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com
