The Kansas City Wizards held serve at home with a 1-0 victory over Chivas USA at Arrowhead Stadium. It was a very tough, hard fought match that saw both sides combine for 30 fouls and just 16 shots at the net between them. Chivas USA came into the contest with two big absences as both Ante Razov and Maykel Galindo were out of the lineup. Those two players have combined for 23 goals so far this season and they were a very big handicap for Preki’s side to deal with. In fact, the former Wizards midfielder was forced to switch to a 4-5-1 with Laurent Merlin as the lone striker.

Kansas City manager Curt Onalfo had his side attacking the right side of the Chivas defense where another ex-Wizards player, Alex Zotinca, was stationed. Left back Jose Burciaga, Jr. was enjoying enormous success down that flank for the home side but this was not translating into dangerous scoring chances for the Wizards. In fact, if not for a splendid free kick taken by Davy Arnaud late in the first half, Kansas may not have scored at all.

The Wizards were also playing without an important player as Argentine play maker Carlos Marinelli was sidelined with an injury. However, even with his absence  their inability to produce chances was worrisome. Chivas, with just one striker were able to match them shot for shot and if they are able to get Galindo back in time for the return leg, they could turn this around.

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