KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- The underdog Kansas City Wizards had nearly held out for a famous win against Supporters' Shield winner Columbus Crew, until a dramatic goal two minutes into stoppage time by Crew substitute Steven Lenhart against a 10-man Wizards team left the teams with a 1-1 tie Saturday night at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in the first leg of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series.
Davy Arnaud had put the Wizards ahead in the 53rd minute and they then played a man down for the final 15 minutes after Herculez Gomez was sent off with a straight red card, but Lenhart's shot finally beat the Wizards defense and left things all square heading into next Saturday's return match at Crew Stadium.
Columbus dominated the regular-season series with two wins and a draw, outscoring Kansas City 8-4, but the two last played each other since July 17 to a 3-3 draw. After that match, the Wizards stayed cool before winning five of their last seven games (with one tie) to gain the playoffs. Columbus won nine of its last 13 to go with two ties, ending with the best regular-season record in MLS.
The Wizards went Route One early with two balls aimed over the top of the Crew backline. A third paid off as left midfielder Kevin Souter found forward Claudio Lopez deep on the left in the fifth minute. As Lopez approached the penalty area, he looked to cross for a central Abe Thompson. Instead, the Argentinean deceptively shot toward the near post with his left boot, nearly catching out goalkeeper Will Hesmer, who dove back to snare the attempt.
Columbus replied three minutes later as midfielder Eddie Gaven got to the endline just inside the Wizards' box and crossed for Robbie Rogers. Rogers one-timed across his body, putting the chance just outside of goalkeeper Kevin Hartman's right post.
The first quarter-hour took on a helter-skelter feel with its numerous fouls and sometimes erratic play. But the likely playoff nerves quickly washed away for Kansas City in the 20th minute as Lopez was again sprung down the left side. With Thompson going near post as Lopez came in square from the left, Lopez opted for Herculez Gomez at the far post, whose immediate shot flew well off target.
In the 29th minute, Kansas City threatened off their increasing possession. Center midfielder Davy Arnaud fed the ball to Lopez at the top of the Crew box. Lopez turned and found Souter running toward the left endline. Arnaud endeavored to got on the end of Souter's cross but was thwarted by Hesmer, who knocked the ball off Arnaud for a goal kick.
The tide began turn in the 41st minute after Columbus had grabbed the momentum. A free kick eventually bounced over the Wizards defense and onto the foot of Guillermo Barros Schelotto, the Crew's Argentinean import. Facing Hartman eye-to-eye, Schelotto tried to volley a chip over the on-rushing 'keeper, but went long and over the bar with the attempt.
The see-saw match changed shape just eight minutes after the break on another supreme effort from Arnaud. Running diagonally through the heart of the Crew's end, Arnaud played a cutting ball with the outside of his right foot for Lopez toward the left corner. Lopez soon hit a flighted cross that found Arnaud in full flight before launching himself horizontally through the air between two defenders to head the ball over Hesmer. The goal was Arnaud's fourth playoff goal and gave him a goal in each of the Wizards' last three matches.
Knowing the series was a 180-minute affair, the Wizards were not content to sit on their lead and the Crew were not content to let them have it. Gomez penetrated on Hesmer's left side in the 56th but put his shot right at the Crew netminder. At the opposite end, Schelotto tried an astounding effort, bending a 28-yard shot off Hartman's crossbar in the 62nd minute.
The Crew came close again just three minutes later as Hejduk hit a dipping, left-footed shot from 25 yards only to see Hartman tip the shot off the crossbar.
Rarely did Kansas City escape their own end in the ensuing minutes while Columbus continued their flirtation with leveling the match. In the 74th minute, Gaven found Schelotto in K.C.'s box just above the right edge of the six-yard box. Schelotto measured his angle and whipped a low shot far post that whisked just wide.
Kansas City's hopes to get away with the win and a goal advantage took a major hit the very next minute. Gomez was given a straight red card for a two-footed tackle on Padula on the left wing after going to ground earlier in a challenge. Gomez will miss at least the return leg next Saturday through suspension.
Now needing to hold on a man down, the Wizards had to hang on while 15 minutes rolled off the clock. They would be one minute short. The Crew's Danny O'Rourke shot at Hartman's goal but was blocked by K.C. center back Tyson Wahl. Forward Alejandro Moreno then played the ball down and Lenhart looped an instep drive into the goal for perhaps a series saving tally for Columbus.
Kansas City will need to stem any momentum favored Columbus might create at Crew Stadium next Saturday night in the return match of the series. A large task awaits Kansas City, as the Crew won a league-high 11 games at home this season. Should the second leg end tied, a 30-minute extra time period will follow, then a penalty kick shootout, if necessary.
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