Union fall in Kansas City

Kansas City, MO (June 10, 2010) – Philadelphia Union (2-7-1) were unable to take points on the road leading into the World Cup break, falling 2-0 to the Kansas City Wizards (3-5-3). Kei Kamara and Graham Zusi were the Wizards’ goal scorers, with Ryan Smith assisting on both tallies. The Union played the entire second half down a man after a red card was shown to Michael Orozco Fiscal in the 42nd minute, the fourth time the club has had to do so in ten matches.

Kansas City got off to a fast start on Kamara’s team-leading 6th goal of the season in the ninth minute. After Smith found Davy Arnaud 30 yards from goal, Arnaud squared and slid a pass to Kamara, who was waiting onside at the corner of the area to Arnaud’s right. Kamara stepped up and one-timed a perfect strike far post past a diving Chris Seitz to put the Wizards up 1-0.

The Wizards struck again in the 35th minute. With Jordan Harvey and Sebastien Le Toux stepping up to Smith, the Kansas City midfielder cut the ball inside with his left foot, finding an on-rushing Graham Zusi at the edge of Philadelphia's box. Zusi took one touch and slotted the ball into the lower left corner to give Kansas City a 2-0 advantage.

The half didn’t end any better for the Union, as Orozco Fiscal picked up his second yellow card of the match from a hard tackle on Josh Wolff, resulting in a red card and ejection.

Down a man in the second half, the Union were unable to create many scoring opportunities. One of Philadelphia’s best chances came in the 75th minute on a through ball from Roger Torres, but KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen came sliding out of his box to break up a Le Toux run.

Despite dropping a match against an opponent that had previously been struggling in their own right, Philadelphia will have a much easier road following the World Cup break. PPL Park will open its doors on June 27 against the Seattle Sounders FC, and the Union will play 13 of their final 20 league matches in their new home.
Scoring Summary:

KC – Kei Kamara 6 (Davy Arnaud 2, Ryan Smith 4) 9'
KC – Graham Zusi 1 (Ryan Smith 5) 35'
Misconduct Summary:

PHI -- Michael Orozco Fiscal (caution; Reckless Foul) 26’
KC -- Jack Jewsbury (caution; Reckless Tackle) 28’
PHI -- Michael Orozco Fiscal (caution; Reckless Tackle) 42’
PHI -- Michael Orozco Fiscal (ejection; Second Caution) 42’
KC -- Josh Wolff (caution; Reckless Foul) 52’
PHI -- Cristian Arrieta (caution; Reckless Tackle) 74’
KC -- Michael Harrington (caution; Reckless Foul) 78’
Philadelphia Union (2-7-1) -- Chris Seitz; Shea Salinas (Andrew Jacobson 65), Danny Califf, Michael Orozco Fiscal, Jordan Harvey; Amobi Okugo (Roger Torres 60), Fred, Stefani Miglioranzi, Sebastien Le Toux; Danny Mwanga (Cristian Arrieta 43), Alejandro Moreno
Substitutes Not Used: Brad Knighton, Jack McInerney, Kyle Nakazawa, Shavar Thomas

Shots: 7; SOG: 2; Fouls: 12; Corner kicks: 8; Offsides: 4; Saves: 0
 Kansas City Wizards (3-5-3) -– Jimmy Nielsen; Chance Myers, Jimmy Conrad, Pablo Escobar (Matt Besler 10) (Jonathan Leathers 68) Michael Harrington; Ryan Smith (Korede Aiyegbusi 53), Jack Jewsbury, Graham Zusi, Davy Arnaud; Josh Wolff, Kei Kamara
Substitutes Not Used: Eric Kronberg, Teal Bunbury, Birahim Diop, Santiago Hirsig

Shots: 7; SOG: 2; Fouls: 13; Corner kicks: 0; Offsides: 3; Saves: 2
 Referee: Alex PrusReferee's Assistants: Adam Wienckowski; Brian Poeschel4th Official: Landis WileyWeather: Partly Cloudy and 81 degreesAttendance: 10,176