Kansas City Wizards Host Houston Dynamo, Fireworks Spectacular Saturday for 4th of July
Published on July 3, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
(July 3, 2009) - The Kansas City Wizards (5-5-4, 19 pts) host the 1st place Houston Dynamo (8-3-4, 28 pts) Saturday night in a 4th of July contest. The Wizards return to MLS play for the first time since June 13 due to their participation in SuperLiga over the last two weeks. Even though the Wizards have been out of action in League play, they sit just four points out of 1st place in the Eastern Conference. Since their last MLS game, a 3-1 home win over the New England Revolution, Kansas City has played four competitive matches (three in SuperLiga, one in U.S. Open Cup).
Both teams will be shorthanded due to the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Kansas City will be without defender Jimmy Conrad (USA) and midfielders Davy Arnaud (USA) and Roger Espinoza (Honduras). Houston will be without defender Adrian Hainault (Canada), midfielder Stuart Holden (USA) and forward Brian Ching (USA). Arnaud has scored five goals on the season for the Wizards, while Holden and Ching have combined for nine goals for the Dynamo.
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman will break a tie with former Kansas City midfielder and assistant coach Chris Henderson for 2nd on the all-time MLS games played list. Hartman enters the match with 317 career matches, tops among goalkeepers in League history. After Saturday, Hartman will trail only New England Revolution stalwart Steve Ralston, who enters this weekend with 366 career games.
After Saturday's match, the Wizards travel to Seattle Tuesday for a showdown with Seattle Sounders FC in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup quarterfinals. The Wizards will then return to MLS play next Saturday, July 11 against the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
The Wizards will hold the biggest fireworks show in Kansas City, sponsored by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas Saturday after the game against the Dynamo. Kansas City will also host several family-friendly activities, including a dunk tank, apple bobbing, face painting, inflatable games for children and more. After players have exited the playing surface, fans will be allowed to enter the field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for a better view of the post-match fireworks spectacular. Fans will be allowed to bring blankets on the field to view the fireworks display in comfort. After the match, children 12 and under will be able to enjoy free ice cream courtesy of Blue Bunny.
Major League Soccer Stories from July 3, 2009
- Kansas City Wizards Host Houston Dynamo, Fireworks Spectacular Saturday for 4th of July - Sporting Kansas City
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