Wizards drop USF in exhibition
By Robert Whitman / MLSnet.com Staff
TAMPA, Fla. -- Jermaine Hue provided the only goal Saturday as the Kansas City Wizards edged the University of South Florida 1-0 in the Wizards first exhibition match of the season.
Hue, acquired late last season, hit a left-footed, 30-yard blast into the USF goal just less than two minutes into the second half.
"He took the ball pretty much off the kickoff, looked up and let her fly," Wizards coach Bob Gansler said. "Long-range shooting is not something he does consistently but sporadically and quite effectively."
The weather for the match -- rain and temperatures in the mid-50s -- was quite a contrast to weather conditions the Wizards have experienced since they began training Friday.
"It was a game outside against somebody other than ourselves," Gansler said. "I'm sure the guys were anxious to kick somebody else and to get kicked by somebody else. I thought we did OK."
Although Hue's goal was the only one in the match, the Wizards dominated possession, especially in the first half.
The Wizards nearly scored twice more in the opening stanza. Both chances came with about 35 minutes into the half. A scramble in front of goal off a Wizards corner kick resulted in the ball at the feet of rookie forward Yura Movsisyan. His shot was cleared off the line by a USF defender. Forward Davy Arnaud then had a shot cleared off the line shortly after that.
The Wizards will play three more exhibition matches in the next seven days beginning with a game Tuesday against Columbus at USF. The Wizards will also play Real Salt Lake on Wednesday and the MetroStars next Saturday. Playing against other MLS teams will tell Gansler more about his players.
"Especially the new folks," Gansler said. "We will see how they handle better quality players and the pressure of that situation. That's the test you're always looking for."
The final exhibition game for the Wizards is Feb. 21 against D.C. United. The Wizards return to Kansas City on Feb. 22.
Kansas City Wizards lineup:
First half - Bo Oshoniyi, Matt Groenwald, Nick Garcia, Tyson Wahl, Jose Burciaga Jr., Jack Jewsbury, Ryan Raybould, Sasha Victorine, Yura Movsisyan, Scott Sealy, Davy Arnaud.
Second half - Will Hesmer, Lance Watson, Shavar Thomas, Anthony Noriega, Stephen Shirley, Alex Zotinca, Ryan McMahen, Jermaine Hue, Will John, Alex Smith, Ryan Pore
