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Sun March 23, 2008

Wizards edge Real Salt Lake; Conrad scores game-winner

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Saturn Cup Highlights
The Kansas City Wizards edge Real Salt Lake 1-0 in an MLS exhibition game played at John Crain Field in Norman on Saturday.
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Kansas City's Jack Jewsbury, right, gets to a header in front of Real Salt Lake's Carey Talley in the first half during a MLS exhibition soccer game at John Crain Field in Norman on Saturday. by MATT STRASEN, THE OKLAHOMAN
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By Matt Caban
Staff Writer
NORMAN — The Kansas City Wizards edged Real Salt Lake 1-0 before 1,350 fans in the 2008 Saturn Cup at John Crain Field at the University of Oklahoma in Norman.



Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad scored the game-winner off a Carlos Marinelli free kick in the 64th minute.

Marinelli's kick curved in from the right side into the box where Conrad headed it in.

"I was in a nice spot onside,” Conrad said. "The ball bounced, my shot made (Nick Rimando) react and it went in.”

Conrad serves as Kansas City's captain and is a regular on the U.S. Men's National Team. Conrad said the Saturn Cup was a good event.

"We do exhibitions because we're trying to win over as many fans as possible,” Conrad said. "It's important to take the game to fans who don't get to see it played on the highest level.”

Conrad said the game helped the team prepare for their season opener next week.

"It was a challenge for us,” Conrad said. "We played a good, up and coming Major League Soccer team in Real Salt Lake. This was a chance for us to work more on our system and get to where we need to be.”

Kansas City coach Curt Onalfo said the goal changed the game.

"Sometimes when you score, you might have a letdown, but sometimes it can give you a boost. That's what it did for us tonight. We started out slow and Real Salt Lake was more dangerous in the first half. But we solved it with that goal.”

While Conrad's goal was alone on the score sheet, the game was not without other scoring opportunities.

Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis said his team had numerous chances through the match.

"We had some good scoring chances,” Kreis said. "We had problems finishing in the last third. It's not easy to score goals. It gives us something to focus on and something to improve on.”

Kreis said while the Saturn Cup was a well-organized event, his focus was on his team.

"I'm sure fans would like to see more goals, but I have to focus on working with my team,” Kreis said. "I felt we were the better team, but sometimes the better team doesn't always win.

Kansas City opens against D.C. United on March 29 at home while Real Salt Lake kicks their season off against Chicago Fire on March 29 at home.

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