The Kansas City Wizards earned a 1-1 draw on Saturday against the Philadelphia Union, climbing into a tie for third place in the Eastern Conference standings. Wizards captain Davy Arnaud scored on a free kick in the 69th minute to earn a pivotal point in the late-season playoff push for Kansas City.
   The Wizards are now two points out of the eighth and final playoff position, pending results around the league this weekend. 
   Saturday's match started slowly, as the first 25 minutes saw an evenly-played and hard fought match unfold. Arnaud registered the first shot on goal of the match in the 9th minute, testing Philadelphia goalkeeper Chris Seitz from long range. Union rookie Danny Mwanga tried an ambitious attempt of his own in the 17th minute, turning and shooting over the bar from 35 yards out. 
   Philadelphia's offense then brought the game to life with a series of scoring chances, beginning abruptly in the 26th minute with a shot off the post from Stefani Miglioranzi. The Union midfielder's shot from 30 yards out deflected off Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad mid-flight, leaving goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen helpless as the ball changed directions.
   Two minutes later, Philadelphia threatened again as Le Toux nearly opened the scoring if not for the first of five superb stops by Nielsen on the day. Le Toux turned at the top of the penalty area and fired his shot low, but Nielsen did well to push it wide.
   The Union broke through in the 33rd minute, taking a 1-0 lead as Le Toux made no mistake in finishing a cross from close range. Philadelphia midfielder Justin Mapp played the ball wide for Mwanga, who earned the assist with a pinpoint cross into the penalty area for Le Toux to redirect. The Frenchman now has 10 goals and 10 assists in his second season in MLS.
   Kansas City's best chance of the first half came on a corner kick in the 36th minute. Arnaud's service came to defender Shavar Thomas, whose header was saved by Seitz at the back post.
   The Wizards, playing without leading goal scorer Kei Kamara due to international duty, started the second half by asserting their attack as Ryan Smith got on the end of a long ball played into the Philadelphia penalty area in the 46th minute. Smith tapped the ball around Seitz, but Union defender Michael Orozco Fiscal did well to knock the ball away on a goal-saving tackle.
   Philadelphia then threatened twice in a two-minute span. Nielsen made a fantastic foot-save in the 53rd minute on a shot from Mapp and then denied Mwanga's attempt, again from the left side, one minute later. Nielsen, who won his fifth Save of the Week honor on Thursday, made another highlight reel save in the 66th minute, with a full extension dive to turn away a header from Le Toux.
   Nielsen's five saves moved him into sole possession of third place in MLS this season with 68 saves.
   Arnaud's free kick prowess proved to be pivotal for Kansas City in the second half. The Wizards came close in the 60th minute as Birahim Diop got on the end of a free kick taken by Arnaud, but Seitz did well to save the header attempt. 
   Arnaud capitalized on his next free kick in the 71st minute following a foul on Wizards playmaker Ryan Smith along the sideline. Arnaud curled the free kick from 25 yards out under the crossbar and inside the far post for his fourth goal of the season and second consecutive match with a game-changing goal. Arnaud tallied the game-winner in Kansas City's 2-0 victory over the first-place Galaxy last Saturday.
   Philadelphia inserted forwards Alejandro Moreno and Jack McInerney to try and regain the lead, but it was Kansas City who created the best opportunity in the final 15 minutes. Forward Teal Bunbury fired a shot from the right side of the penalty area in the 76th minute, but Seitz made his fourth and final save of the night.
   Kansas City is now 7-9-6 (27 pts) on the season. The Wizards are tied for 3rd place in the Eastern Conference with Toronto FC, who visit FC Dallas on Saturday night.
   Kansas City will now have two weeks until closing out a three-game road trip against Chivas USA on Sunday, Sept. 19, at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The match, which kicks off at 7 p.m., will air live in high definition on KCWE Channel 29 in both English and Spanish, accompanied by a live radio broadcast on La Gran D 1340 AM.
   Story courtesy of the Wizards.