PeruÆs Sporting Cristal handed the Kansas City Wizards a 2-1 Merconorte Cup loss on Wednesday afternoon in Lima that severely hurts the Wizards chances of advancing. The 2000 MLS champs, which opened Group C play with a loss Sporting in Kansas City, also lost to Santos Laguna in Mexico before picking up a win over EcuadorÆs Barcelona in Guayaquil. The Wizards have home games against Santos (Oct. 17) and Barcelona (Nov. 21) in which to improve on their third-place position. The group winner advances to the semifinals. Sporting Cristal took a two-goal lead by the 24th minute. Jamaican Onandi Lowe scored the Wizards lone goal. Matt McKeonÆs penalty kick — after Chris Brown was fouled — was saved by keeper Miguel Miranda late in the second half.

Game summary

Sept. 12 in Lima, Peru Sporting Cristal 2 Kansas City 1 Scoring Summary: SC- Luis Bonnet 23 SC- Luis Bonnet 24 KC- Onandi Lowe (Gary Glasgow) 39 Sporting Cristal — Miguel Miranda, Jorge Huaman, Ismael Alavado, David Soria (Javier Soria, 77), Erick Torres, Jean Ferrari, Frank Rojas, Jorge Soto, Gast=n C=rdoba, Luis Bonnet (Herly Alcazar, 85), Julinho Kansas City — Tony Meola, Chris Klein, Nick Garcia, Tahj Jakins, Andrew Gregor, Kerry Zavagnin, Matt McKeon, Francisco Gomez, Gary Glasgow, Onandi Lowe (Mark Santel, 74), Chris Brown Officials: Referee: Jorge Hoyas (COL) Senior Assistant Referee: Wilmar Barahona (COL) Junior Assistant Referee: Oswaldo Diaz (COL) Fourth Official: Juan Sulca (PER) Att.: 5,000