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Weekly Update: Going back to K.C.

06/13/2008 8:00 AM -

The Kansas City Wizards earned a road point Saturday in a 0-0 draw at Real Salt Lake to conclude a grueling two-month road stretch that included a win over the second-place Chicago Fire at TOYOTA Park. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman matched a season high with seven outstanding saves to record his 4th shutout of the season and the 71st of his decorated career. The Wizards will now return home for the first time since a 0-0 draw with Houston Dynamo April 12.

Kansas City's best chance of the match came in the 7th minute after a long string of possession. Forward Claudio Lopez worked his way into the penalty area, cutting the ball square for strike partner Ivan Trujillo. Trujillo laid the ball back for midfielder Davy Arnaud who unloaded a shot from 25 yards out that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced clear.

Hartman made the first two saves of the night in the 28th minute, first coming off his line quickly to deflect a shot from Scottish forward Kenny Deuchar wide. On the ensuing corner kick, playmaker Javier Morales found Deuchar at the back post. Deuchar put a header low and on goal, but Hartman reacted quickly to push the ball wide and keep RSL off the score sheet. Hartman again came up big in the 39th minute, getting down quickly to parry a low, hard shot from forward Robbie Findley wide of the near post.

Hartman was less active after the break, only making two saves as Kansas City began to keep more possession and create more chances in the offensive third of the field. The Wizards outshot RSL 4-2 after halftime.

Kansas City wrapped up its six-game, two-month road swing Saturday in Salt Lake City with a 1-3-2 record. The Wizards return to temporary home CommunityAmerica Ballpark Saturday at 7 p.m. CT against the Columbus Crew. The Wizards are 2-1-1 thus far in 2008 at home.

Kansas City lost to Columbus 2-1 on the road May 3. Columbus received goals from Adam Moffatt and Robbie Rogers. Argentine star Claudio Lopez scored a second-half goal from the penalty spot as the Wizards played with 10 men after Roger Espinoza was ejected in the first half.