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Wizards 1, Red Bulls 0

Sep 13, 2009 - 2:57 AM By JIM HAGUE STATS MLS Correspondent

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (STATS) - He's recorded more wins and shutouts than any other goalkeeper in Major League Soccer history, but Kevin Hartman is still just grateful to be a professional soccer player.

"It's funny, because I never even thought about numbers like that," said the 35-year-old Hartman, who made five saves Saturday night in the Kansas City Wizards' 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls, giving him 83 career shutouts and 145 career wins. "I just wanted to play soccer and make a career of it. I feel really blessed to have that opportunity. I think the longevity is one thing, but I've also been lucky, because I played with some great players in my life who never made it. I just persevered."

Josh Wolff gave Hartman and the Wizards an early lead, with his ninth goal of the season in the 10th minute of play. Hartman was the one who made it stand in the final 20 minutes, making two tough saves in the waning moments.

Wolff stripped Red Bulls midfielder Jorge Rojas and outraced him to the ball, sliding the ball under sprawling Red Bulls goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul.

"It was big, because we haven't won a game in two years where we didn't score first," Hartman said. "It was huge to get this win and get six of the nine points on the road."

It was Kansas City's first win in Giants Stadium since the Wizards knocked off the MetroStars franchise on April 19, 2000.

"I remember that game, because I played in it," said Wizards interim coach Peter Vermes. "I did know it was that long, but the team didn't know. I really enjoyed playing here, so I kept it from the guys that we hadn't won here in so long."

"It was in the back of my mind that I hadn't won here in a while, either with the (Los Angeles) Galaxy or Kansas City," Hartman said. "I knew it was our final game here, so it was good to leave on a good note."

Kansas City (7-11-6) kept its faint playoff hopes alive with the win, getting within six points of fourth-place New England in the Eastern Conference.

"We had so many opportunities we missed earlier in the year," Hartman said. "But I think this week (three road games in eight days) was a step in the right direction. We got two wins and we now go back home and have to keep playing well."

Vermes knows that it begins with the play of the man in goal.

"What people don't know about Kevin is that he never misses a practice and never takes a day off," Vermes said. "He comes to work every day and goes after it. He's the kind of guy you want in your locker room, because he's always going to give you a high performance."

The Red Bulls (4-17-4) had their modest two-game winning streak snapped. They played without captain and leading scorer Juan Pablo Angel, who missed the game with a sprained ankle.

"We were disappointed that he couldn't play," Red Bulls interim head coach Richie Williams said. "It's always hard to play without your captain. We just had to move on. We gave up the early goal and it was tough to come back. Give them credit for defending well."