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Revolution's three first-half goals too much for Wizards

Apr 10, 2008 - 3:57 AM By Pat Madden PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

KANSAS CITY, Kansas (Ticker) - A pair of MLS rookies - Sainey Nyassi and Kenny Mansally - didn't wait long to work their magic for the New England Revolution.

Nyassi and Mansally each recorded goals in the first half to help the Revolution to a 3-1 victory over the Kansas City Wizards on Wednesday.

Nyassi broke a 1-1 tie in the 33rd minute, getting his second goal of the season off a 3-on-2 passing play. He received a perfect pass from Khano Smith on the left side and rocketed a shot past Kansas City goalkeeper Kevin Hartman from eight yards away.

"I was thinking that Kenny was going to shoot, but then the defender came in front late, and I just came in and tapped it in," Nyassi said.

Mansally, who recorded an assist on the go-ahead goal, then registered his first MLS tally in the 40th minute, slotting a leftfooted shot from 12 yards out past a diving Hartman to give New England (2-1-0) a 3-1 cushion.

"Normally, when I see someone come closer, I back off, but I just jumped in and got the loose ball," Mansally said. "That's not my normal style. When I scored my goal, it was in a scramble."

"I can't think of anything bad to say about them (Nyassi and Mansally)," New England coach Steve Nicol said. "They did great. They were a handful."

In addition, New England was the beneficiary of a Kansas City own goal in the 11th minute as Adam Cristman's rightfooted shot was deflected by the Wizards' Jack Jewsbury past Hartman to the near post.

Kansas City (2-1-0) gained the equalizer in the 28th minute as Jewsbury converted a penalty kick. The penalty was created by the Wizards' Kurt Morsink, who was fouled by New England's Shalrie Joseph in the penalty area.

New England was without two key players for the second straight match - forward Taylor Twellman (right meniscus surgery) and defender Steve Ralston (dislocated left shoulder). In addition, Jeff Larentowicz was suspended for the contest after receiving a red card in Thursday's match against Chicago.

"You always question if you have enough depth, and you find out when the game begins," Nicol said. "We found out tonight that we've got some guys who can play."

New England goalkeeper Matt Reis, who made six saves in the match, earned his 10th career victory against the Wizards.

"To get three points tonight was huge for us," Joseph said. "We're not at full strength right now, but the guys that came in tonight, they did well for us and that's what we need - to step in and play big for us for the guys."

Hartman recorded four saves in the loss.

It was Kansas City's first loss of the season at its new temporary home, CommunityAmerica Ballpark. New England won for just the fifth time in 22 meetings dating to 2001 in Kansas City.