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Wizards topple shorthanded Revolution

Oct 26, 2008 - 2:30 AM FOXBOROUGH, Massachusetts (Ticker) -- Claudio Lopez and Davy Arnaud recorded a goal apiece as the Kansas City Wizards capped off the regular season with a 3-1 victory over the New England Revolution.

Lopez converted a penalty kick for his sixth goal of the season in the 28th minute after Gabriel Badilla was issued a red card for taking down the Wizards forward within the 18-yard box.

"The call that ended up changing the game was the (red) card on Badilla," Revolution coach Steve Nicol said. "The referee shows a lack of understanding. It's the last game of the year, both teams are in the playoffs and to send Badilla off shows a lack of understanding."

"If you're going to give them a penalty kick, cool," Revolution forward Taylor Twellman said. "But don't give him (Badilla) a red card."

Arnaud added his tally eight minutes into the second half for Kansas City (11-10-9), which clinched the No. 4 seed in the East and will face the Columbus Crew (16-7-6) in the MLS Cup playoffs.

New England midfielder Khano Smith was also ejected for a hard tackle three minutes before halftime, forcing the Revolution (12-11-7) to play the entire second half two men down. The red cards will leave the Revolution shorthanded in their upcoming playoff matchup with the second-seeded Chicago Fire (13-10-7).

"We can cry all we like, but I'll tell you right now, we won't be crying Thursday (for the playoff game). We have to move on," Nicol said.

After Smith left, Kansas City took advantage just eight minutes into the second half as Arnaud netted his seventh goal of the season on assists from Lopez and Roger Espinoza.

"Claudio hit the ball to Roger and he hit it right back to the box," Arnaud said. "From there, I got a nice pass to the outside to set up the goal."

After an own goal by All-Star defender Michael Parkhurst, New England got on the board on a goal by Jeff Larentowicz. The midfielder blasted a shot from 45 yards out that deflected off a Wizards defender and rolled past goalkeeper Kevin Hartman.

Hartman and Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis made two saves apiece.