Wizards Are Off to a Rapid Start

Miklos Molnar scored in the 18th minute as the Kansas City Wizards began the MLS playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Colorado Rapids.

Kansas City earned three points in the series, which resumes Wednesday at Colorado. Game 3, if necessary, will be next Sunday at Kansas City. The first team to five points wins the series.

Molnar scored off an assist from Preki, heading the ball past Colorado goalkeeper David Kramer.

Colorado came close to sending the match to overtime when Paul Bravo took a shot from outside the box. Junior Agogo redirected the shot to the far post where Tony Meola made a spectacular diving save, trapping the ball against the goalpost just before it crossed the goal line.

Meola had a record-breaking 16 shutouts during the regular season.