KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- A few months removed removed from signing a partnership with each other, the Kansas City Wizards and Mexican Primera Division side Atlas played a friendly Friday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, and midfielder Michael Kraus scored a sliding unassisted goal in stoppage time, lifting the Wizards to a 2-1 victory.
The teams had traded goals late in the first half, with Nelson Pizarro scoring for Kansas City in the 37th minute before Ulises Mendivel equalized just before halftime.
The Wizards fielded much the same lineup as they did in their U.S. Open Cup match loss against the Seattle Sounders, filled with mostly reserve players. The only exception was Pizarro starting instead of Kraus. As a result, the Wizards struggled to put together a coherent attack early.
Atlas defender Nestor Vidrio let go a 25-yard shot in the 10th minute, but it was wide of the near post. In the 16th minute, a volley found defender Hugo Ayala accompanied by four teammates near the mouth of the goal. But his header was off the mark.
Pizarro ignited the Wizards offense with a blast that crossed over the goal near the midway point of the half. It was the Wizards best chance to that point in the match.
In the 37th minute, defender Jonathan Leathers worked his way to the right wing then scooted the ball back to Pizarro. Pizarro found the corner of the net with a low line drive from just inside of the box that put the Wizards in the lead.
Atlas continued to threaten late in the half, winning two successive corner kicks. The second saw a header from a corner kick battle, and after the ball bounced into the air, Mendivil headed the ball in the goal. Defender Tyson Wahl tried to save the ball with an extended leg on the goal line, but the ball had been judged to have already crossed the goal line and the score was 1-1.
Both teams made numerous substitutions after the break. The Wizards continued to scrap and tussle on set pieces, but struggled with execution. Atlas held a 3-0 edge on corner kicks in the first half, but the Wizards turned the tables in that aspect in the second half.
In the 51st minute, midfielder Lance Watson showed his breakaway capability, racing down the pitch with a deflection. He made a run to the goal before missing the near post.
Atlas went close in the in the 85th minute on a free kick. Two Atlas players stood upfield from the ball, screening the Wizards defense. The players moved out just before the blast from forward Dario Bottinelli, but the shot soared over the crossbar. In stoppage time, the Wizards won a freekick for a handball, and in confusion that followed over the call, Kraus quickly played the ball to Pizarro on the right. Pizarro went in alone on goal and fired a low shot that Atlas goalkeeper Pedro Hernandez blocked, but the ball squirted through him and rolled across the face of goal. Kraus came sliding in at the far side to turn it into the net from a sharp angle for the winner.
Cup glory for Roma
Pizarro Keen For Scolari Chance
Wizards douse Fire, move into first
