U.S. Open Cup

Simutenkov penalty kick propels Wizards past San Jose 1-0 in semifinal.

OVERLAND PARK, Kans. (Tuesday, August 24, 2004) -- Midfielder Igor Simutenkov converted a penalty kick in the closing moments of the first half, enough to lift the Kansas City Wizards to a 1-0 decision over the San Jose Earthquakes in a meeting of Major League Soccer clubs in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup semifinal before 2,162 at Blue Valley Athletic Complex tonight.

The Wizards advanced to Open Cup title match for the first time and will face the winner of tomorrow night's other semifinal which has MLS's Chicago Fire hosting the Charleston Battery of the A-League in Naperville, Ill. The site of the September 22 final will be determined after tomorrow's semifinal.

Should the Fire win tomorrow, the Kansas City would host the championship game at Arrowhead Stadium. If Charleston defeats Chicago, the Battery would host the final at Blackbaud Stadium.

"Our preference is just to play and we already accommodated ourselves," Kansas City coach Bob Gansler said. "Whether we play Chicago or whether we play Charleston, it doesn't matter. A home game is always nice, but either way we are already happy."

It seemed like the first half would end without a goal until, in the 43rd minute, Kansas City was rewarded for its attacking play. Simutenkov fed a nice ball in between traffic to forward Josh Wolff who wound through the congested penalty area and was taken down by Earthquakes defender Ryan Cochrane as he tried to receive the pass.

Simutenkov drilled the subsequent penalty kick and drilled a low bullet into the center of the goal, catching San Jose goalkeeper Jon Conway leaning far to his right and unable to reach back to stop the shot.

Kansas City scored that one goal and then played a defensive game," said San Jose coach Dommenic Kinnear, whose club advanced to the Open Cup semifinals for the first time. "(The Wizards) were hard to break down tonight. We had some chances, but not great ones. We just couldn't break through and get that one goal."

The Wizards backline was effective in stifling San Jose's potent attack, limiting the Earthquakes' potent attack to six shots -- none by forward Landon Donovan -- and only two on frame.

"We learned a couple weeks ago (in a 2-0 home loss to San Jose August 14) that if you give (Donovan) too much time, he will run at you and that is when he is the most dangerous," Conrad said. Kansas City defender "Nick (Garcia) and I made a concerted effort to be right up behind him every time he touched the ball. Make him earn his touches, don't let him turn and make it as difficult as possible for him, make it a long night. I think the results speak for itself."

Kansas City managed 14 shots, five on goal.

San Jose suffered a blow in the fourth minute when forward Brian Ching, who is tied for the MLS lead with 11 goals, collided with Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and left the game with a sprained left ankle.

Three times in the first 11 minutes, Kansas City left midfielder received crossed in front of the goal, but Conway saved a shot on each occasion.

In the 73rd minute, Preki, playing his second game since missing the entire MLS season with a shattered left fibula and dislocated left ankle, beat Conway deep in the right corner of the box, but his shot was cleared off the line by San Jose defender Jeff Agoos for a corner kick.

Kansas City reserve keeper Bo Oshoniyi recorded the shutout. "Defensively we were solid tonight and they made my job a lot easier," he said. "Donovan has caused us problems in the past and our defense was able to hold him in check. I don't think he had many chances tonight."

MLS (10): Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, New England Revolution, MetroStars, San Jose Earthquakes
A-League (8): Atlanta Silverbacks, Charleston Battery, Minnesota Thunder, Portland Timbers, Richmond Kickers, Rochester Raging Rhinos, Syracuse Salty Dogs, Virginia Beach Mariners.
Pro Select League (6): Charlotte Eagles, New Hampshire Phantoms, San Diego Gauchos, Utah Blitzz, Western Massachusetts Pioneers, Wilmington Hammerheads.
Premier Development League (8): Boulder Rapids Reserves, Cape Cod Crusaders, Carolina Dynamo, Chicago Fire Reserves, Cocoa Expos, DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) Tornadoes, South Jersey Barons, Spokane Shadow
USASA (8): Allied FC (Baltimore), Azzurri (Dallas), Chico Rooks, Legends FC (Texas), Milwaukee Bavarians, N.Y. Greek-American-Atlas, SAC Wisla (Chicago), Sacramento Knights.