Heat exhaustion

MetroStars, Wizards draw 0-0 in afternoon heat

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- In a game that sidelined one player with heat exhaustion, the Kansas City Wizards continued their offensive struggles, playing to a 0-0 draw against the MetroStars.

The most productive offensive team in the league with 32 goals, the Wizards were blanked for the third straight game, although they had more quality chances than the MetroStars.

The heat may have had something to do with the lack of offense. It took its toll on Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad, who reports suggested was suffering from heat exhaustion during overtime and was treated at the stadium. In its initial report on the match, MLS said Conrad had been taken to Meadowlands Hospital.

"I felt my heart racing, and I just took a knee," Conrad said. "I've had this happen before, so I knew what was going on. They took me into the fist aid room, and I got some IV and talked to the doctors for a while. Once I got the IV, I was good to go."

MetroStars goalkeeper Jonny Walker recorded his first career shutout. He was tested early, falling back to knock a ball over the crossbar following a poor touch pass by teammate Mark Lisi in the box.

Walker also came up big 15 minutes into the second half, with his teammates caught in transition. Splitting through the defense, Davy Arnaud took a one-touch shot from close range only to be denied by Walker's kick save.

The goalkeeper also got help from substitute Joey DiGiamarino, who made a spectacular saving tackle inside the penalty area in the 70th minute, lunging to take the ball off the foot of Chris Klein.

Another second-half substitute, forward John Wolyniec, was the most dangerous player for the Metros. In the 57th minute, he rushed into the penalty area stride for stride with defender Nick Garcia but had a quick shot stopped by Tony Meola.

Wolyniec had another chance in the 69th minute, but Meola slid out to challenge the shot and deflected the ball away for a corner kick.

The game was the first at home for the MetroStars since July 2. They next travel to play the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday.

Kansas City visits the Dallas Burn on Saturday.

Post-game quotesheet

KANSAS CITY GOALKEEPER TONY MEOLA

On the game conditions:
"Watching those guys running out there, I don't see how they did it the whole game. The heat was a tough proposition, but we both had to deal with the same circumstances. It's hard to have a pregame meal at 8 o'clock in the morning, I'll tell you that much."

KANSAS CITY DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD

On the idea of a mid-day match:
"I think it was a good idea, but probably not in August. I know that Wednesday night games don't usually draw that well, so why not try some day games and affiliate it with the local kids' teams? I thought, 'Why not?' But maybe not in August; maybe try it in the spring or the fall when it is cooler. The field is rubber-based, and our feet were on fire the whole game."

KANSAS CITY HEAD COACH BOB GANSLER

On the result:
"I thought we played a very intelligent game. We took everything that was thrown our way and I think we were the better side in the first half in terms of creating opportunities. We were very opportunistic in the second half as well. I think this was a very good result in their lair. It was hot, but the conditions were the same for both sides, to be sure."

HEAD COACH BOB BRADLEY

On the team's performance:
"I thought that Kansas City came out early and they put a lot of pressure on us. We survived that part, and when we had the chance to pick up the play and maybe finish the game Tony Meola made some good saves. At the end it's difficult for both teams. There's not much soccer going on if you feel like you can't keep on putting together good passes and create yourself chances."

On the team's effort in spite of a scoreless draw:
"We always want to win, but I thought it's been a good effort. In these kind of difficult conditions they put in a very good effort. They kept going and tried to push and win the game."

On goalkeeper Jonny Walker's adjustment to the team and to MLS:
"He understands his job; his positioning is perfect. And therefore if you are a forward on the other team it's that type of goalkeeper that is very hard to beat. You really have to hit a good shot to score. And that's an excellent thing for our team in terms of confidence, to know that when there's a breakdown he seems to be always in the right position and always ready to make a play."

METROSTARS GOALKEEPER JONNY WALKER

On the differences between Chilean and U.S. soccer:
"In comparison to Chile the play here is much more physical, a much more direct, stellar play. Tactically I think the players here are much smarter. The Latin players are much more gifted on the technical side of the game. They are able to do some things with the ball, but I think that the play here is a bit stronger."

METROSTARS FORWARD JOHN WOLYNIEC

On his role as a substitute and the competition between the forwards:
"It's everybody's goal to start, but at the same time there's room for reserves in a 90-minute game. I'd love to start, but if that's not my role, then I come in off the bench and do the best that I can. We got a situation that the forwards are pushing each other. It's not an easy decision for the coach to pick the two guys to play up front. That keeps everybody going to work harder in the same direction."

Summary

Scoring: None

Kansas City Wizards -- Tony Meola, Jimmy Conrad, Alex Zotinca, Nick Garcia, Chris Klein, Stephen Armstrong, Diego Gutierrez, Eric Quill (Dario Fabbro 87), Kerry Zavagnin, Preki (Francisco Gomez 76), Igor Simutenkov (Davy Arnaud 32).
Substitutes Not Used: Chris Brunt, Bo Oshoniyi.

TOTAL SHOTS: 17 (3 tied with 3); SHOTS ON GOAL: 10 (Chris Klein 3); FOULS: 25 (Diego Gutierrez 4); OFFSIDES: 1 (Chris Klein 1); CORNER KICKS: 7 (Preki 4); SAVES: 4 (Tony Meola 4)

MetroStars -- Jonny Walker, Craig Ziadie, Steve Jolley, Eddie Pope, Edgar Bartolomeu (Joey DiGiamarino 63), Ricardo Clark, Mark Lisi (Jose Galvan 93), Richie Williams, Amado Guevara, Mike Magee (John Wolyniec 52), Clint Mathis.
Substitutes Not Used: Joseph Addo, Juan Forchetti, Paul Grafer, Chris Leitch, Mike Nugent, Tim Regan.

TOTAL SHOTS: 12 (Clint Mathis 4); SHOTS ON GOAL: 4 (John Wolyniec 2); FOULS: 17 (Richie Williams 3); OFFSIDES: 3 (John Wolyniec 3); CORNER KICKS: 5 (Amado Guevara 4); SAVES: 10 (Jonny Walker 9)

Misconduct Summary:

KC -- Alex Zotinca (caution; Reckless Foul) 24
MET -- Craig Ziadie (caution; Reckless Foul) 51
KC -- Eric Quill (caution; Reckless Foul) 75
KC -- Diego Gutierrez (caution; Reckless Foul) 81
KC -- Dario Fabbro (ejection; Serious Foul Play) 118+

Referee: Abiodun Okulaja
Referee's Assistants: -Robert Fereday; Steven Taylor
4th Official: Erich Simmons
Attendance: 10,737

 

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