March 21, 2009 Kansas City vs Toronto FC (from MLSnet.com)

Wizards outscored by Toronto FC
Arnaud scores two goals in season-opening loss
03/21/2009 11:08 PM
By Curtis Kitchen / MLSnet.com Staff

KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Defender Jim Brennan scored the game's first goal in the 33rd minute and midfielder Amado Guevara added two second-half goals as Toronto FC held on to defeat the Kansas City Wizards 3-2 in front of a season-opening, sellout crowd at Community America Ballpark.

Wizards midfielder Davy Arnaud connected on a pair of wicked strikes for goals, hitting a 25-yard bomb off an assist from Claudio Lopez in the 56th minute and later scoring from long range in the 76th minute.

Brennan did most of the work himself on the first scoring play, beginning the opportunity with a steal from Wizards rookie Graham Zusi at midfield. Brennan then passed ahead to teammate Dwayne De Rosario, who returned the favor with the assist on the left-footed shot inside the box that beat Hartman inside the near post.

The lone score of the first half came after TFC, which consistently pressured Kansas City throughout the contest, missed several opportunities early, including several by forward Chad Barrett, who freed himself often from Wizards defenders to attempt four shots, two on goal.

In a furiously paced second half that saw three goals scored in nine minutes, Guevara found the mark twice, the first coming in the 53rd minute from the top of the box and the second in the 62nd minute on a rebound after De Rosario's effort was blocked by Hartman.

Aside from Arnaud's goals, the Wizards struggled to find much of an offensive rhythm. Unable to mount a sustained attack for much of the evening, the Wizards were unable to defeat Toronto FC rookie goalkeeper Stefan Frei, TFC's first pick in the 2009 SuperDraft and the 13th pick overall.

Despite the three goals allowed, Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman recorded five saves, giving him 1,135 for his career, one short of the all-time MLS saves mark held by former Wizards goalie Tony Meola.

Curtis Kitchen is a contributor to MLSnet.com.

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