TAMPA, Florida (Ticker) -- Roy Lassiter became the first player in MLS history to register 200 points as the Kansas City Wizards downed the Tampa Bay Mutiny, 2-1, at Raymond James Stadium.
Lassiter's record goal was also the game-winning strike, coming
in the 52nd minute as the Wizards rallied to defeat the slumping
Mutiny.
The Mutiny struck first as Steve Trittschuh provided a quick
spark in his first game of the season. The veteran defender,
playing his first game after suffering a broken leg in the
preseason, headed an Eric Quill cross into the net.
The Wizards knotted the score at 1-1 in the 20th minute.
Jamaican international Onandi Lowe took a Chris Brown cross from
the left wing and chipped a pass through two Mutiny defenders to
spring midfielder Francisco Gomez into the box.
Kansas City controlled play for the remainder of the game. Tampa
Bay did have one golden opportunity to score again, but defender
Craig Demmin struck the crossbar on a header in the 31st minute.
The Wizards just missed taking a 2-1 lead into the locker room
at halftime when Lassiter whipped a shot through the goalmouth,
just wide left of the far post from a sharp angle in the 44th
minute.
Kansas City finally took the lead in the 52nd minute as Lassiter
notched the milestone goal. Gomez and Chris Klein played a sharp
give-and-go through midfield that sprung Klein down the right
side into the Mutiny box.
Lowe missed several chances to pad Kansas City's lead,
squandering a breakaway attempt in the 80th minute. Playing just
his second match in a Kansas City uniform, Lowe proved dangerous
with the ball and on set pieces.
Tampa Bay again was forced to field a makeshift lineup as
midfielder Carlos Valderrama and striker Mamadou Diallo sat out
due to suspensions. Rookies Ali Curtis and Devin Barclay started
at forward, while All-Star winger Steve Ralston assumed a more
centr