MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

Published on February 15, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


WIZARDS SPLIT PRESEASON CONTESTS

The Wizards preparations for the 2010 MLS season continued this week with two games against the San Jose Earthquakes in Phoenix, Arizona. The Wizards won the first contest between the sides 3-0 on Wednesday on the strength of a Kei Kamara hat trick in which all three goals were scored within an eight-minute span. However, the team fell to San Jose 1-0 on Saturday by an early goal from Eduardo.

Wizards Manager Peter Vermes found significant playing time for every player in camp with the team during the two games.

"There were some good things and some things that weren't so good, but that's what this is for," Vermes said after Saturday's loss. "It's still early, but we're starting to get a good idea of what's working and which guys have good relationships on the field. Things are starting to come together a little bit."

The Wizards' second game against the Earthquakes consisted of three 45-minute sessions at The Soccer Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University. After being shut out in the teams' previous meeting, the Earthquakes jumped out to an early lead, with new signing Eduardo heading home a cross from fellow Brazilian Andre Luiz after just two minutes. The Wizards would fight back hard for an equalizer, and looked especially dangerous in the last 45-minute session, where both Davy Arnaud and Ryan Smith had quality chances on goal.

The teams' first meeting three days earlier was played in four 30-minute quarters at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix. Kamara started the first session and scored his first goal off a cross from Chance Myers just over 20 minutes in. Four minutes after his first, Kamara finished a breakaway chance, and capped off his hat trick thanks to a cross by trialist Ryan Smith just before the end of the quarter. Kansas City threatened to add to their goal tally throughout the rest of the game, with rookie Teal Bunbury coming closest with a shot that hit the post in the 3rd session.

FIRST LEG OF CAMP COMPLETED, SECOND STARTS SUNDAY

The end of training Sunday also signaled the end of the Wizards' first leg of preseason training in Phoenix, Arizona. The team will now break until Sunday, when the second leg of preseason training will commence. In that time, the technical staff and some players will return to Kansas City, with training being held at the Swope Park Training Center on Wednesday and Friday. Media availability will take place after training on those days at approximately 11:30am. Call Wizards Public Relations Manager Dave Borchardt at 816-665-8442 to confirm media availability.

The second leg of the Wizards' preseason training camp will begin this Sunday back in Phoenix. The team will play four games in their final weeks of camp, with the first coming against Chivas USA on Wednesday, February 24th at 12 p.m. CT. The Wizards will follow that game with matchups against the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Columbus Crew and local college Grand Canyon University. The team will return to Kansas City on March 8th.

The Kansas City Wizards began training in Phoenix, Arizona late last month, signaling the start of a five-week preseason camp to prepare the team for the 2010 MLS season. Nine teams from across Major League Soccer will join the Wizards in the Arizona capital, part of an effort by the organization to create a consistent preseason base for multiple MLS teams.

The Wizards are training at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix, just 30 miles away from the Kansas City Royals' training base in Surprise, Arizona.

Daily training updates, videos and match reports from Phoenix will be available throughout the preseason on www.kcwizards.com, Hillcrest Road, the official blog of the Kansas City Wizards (www.hillcrestroadblog.com ) or the Kansas City Wizards YouTube Channel (www.youtube.com/kcwizards96). Already up from the first session of camp are highlights from the Wizards' two games against San Jose, a "Quick Six" feature with midfielder Davy Arnaud, highlights from a ping-pong face-off between Wizards Manager Peter Vermes and Assistant Coach Octavio Zambrano and much more.

Wizards Preseason Game Schedule:

Date/Time (All Times Central) Opponent Location Result

Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m.

Arizona Sahuaros

Grand Canyon University

Win, 5-0

Wednesday, Feb. 10, 12 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes

Reach 11

Win, 3-0

Saturday, Feb. 13, 12 p.m.

San Jose Earthquakes

Arizona State University

Loss, 1-0

Wednesday, Feb. 24, 12 p.m.

Chivas USA

Reach 11

Friday, Feb. 26, Time TBA

Los Angeles Galaxy

Reach 11

Sunday, Feb. 28, 12 p.m.

Los Angeles Galaxy

Arizona State University

Thursday, March 4, 12 p.m.

Columbus Crew

Reach 11

Sunday, March 7, 12 p.m.

Grand Canyon University

Reach 11

JIMMY NIELSEN SIGNS WITH WIZARDS

The Kansas City Wizards today announced the signing of Danish goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen, formerly of Danish Superliga side AaB Aalborg, for whom he served as team captain and made over 300 appearances. Nielsen is expected to add depth to the Wizards goalkeeping corps and will compete for a starting spot.

"We are very pleased to add a goalkeeper of Jimmy's pedigree to our squad," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "He brings a wealth of experience playing overseas, and I know he can't wait to put that experience to work in Kansas City."

Originally from Aalborg, Nielsen won the 1998-1999 Danish Superliga championship and participated in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds with his hometown club, which was coached by current New York Red Bulls coach Hans Backe. In 1998 and 2004 Nielsen won the Det Gyldne Bur (The Golden Cage), awarded annually to the best goalkeeper in Danish soccer.

"Everyone I've talked to said it's a great setup here in Kansas City, with good facilities and great support from the fans," Nielsen said. "I'm really looking forward to coming to Kansas City and winning a lot of games with the team."

WIZARDS TRIM FIVE FROM PRESEASON ROSTER

Defenders Nick Cardenas, Rich Costanzo, Chris Gbandi and goalkeepers Ian Walker and Patrick Hannigan have been cut from the Wizards' preseason roster, the team announced today.

Cardenas joined the Wizards via the 2010 MLS SuperDraft, where he was selected in the 3rd round with the 36th overall selection out of San Diego State University. Costanzo, Gbandi, Walker and Hannigan all joined the team on a trial basis at the start of preseason.

WIZARDS HOST 2010 OPEN TRYOUTS:

The Kansas City Wizards will hold its 3rd annual open tryouts from March 13-14, 2010. The tryout cost is $200, and players can sign up and get all the information on the tryouts by visiting www.kcwizards.com/opentryout. Any additional questions can be sent to tryouts@kcwizards.com.

Participants will take part in scrimmages Saturday, with the top players called back for Sunday's session. Finalists will then get the opportunity to tryout with the Wizards first team in March with the chance of securing a contract. Final tryout location and times will be provided to each participant closer to the event.

The Wizards held an open tryout in 2008 for the first time since their inaugural 1996 season, with the event drawing over 200 players from 15 different countries. Two players eventually signed for Kansas City; midfielders Kevin Souter and Nelson Pizarro. Both went on to play in MLS matches for the Wizards in 2008, and Souter started the final four games of the regular season and both MLS Cup Playoff matches for Kansas City. Another 200 participants took part in the tryouts in 2009. Numerous talented participants stood out, and five of the open tryout players were invited back during the season to train with the Wizards.

2010 SEASON-TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE:

The Kansas City Wizards are now accepting renewals from current season ticket holders and new season ticket deposits for the 2010 Major League Soccer season. The Wizards will begin the 2010 campaign with a home match on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. CT against D.C. United at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kansas City, a charter member of Major League Soccer, will play its 15th season in 2010.

Fans who renew their season tickets or purchase new season-ticket packages will retain an early priority number that will determine seat locations in Kansas City's new stadium. To renew season tickets or place a deposit for new season tickets, call the Wizards locally at 913-387-3400, toll-free at 1-888-4KC-GOAL or visit www.kcwizards.com.

Prices for the 2010 Kansas City Wizards season at CommunityAmerica Ballpark will remain unchanged, with the exception of some premium seating sections. Season tickets start at just $180 for an 18-game schedule that includes 15 regular-season MLS contests and three "Special Game" tickets. The Wizards will offer FREE parking for all matches at CommunityAmerica Ballpark again in 2010.

After the season opener, the Wizards will travel to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The full 2010 MLS schedule will be announced in January of next year, and Kansas City's broadcast schedule will be announced leading up to the start of the 2010 campaign.

2010 Season Ticket Prices

Seating Category Full-Season Rate Per-Game Rate Gate Price

Field Side Reserved $1,800 $100 $120

Terrace Table (4 Seats) $3,600 $50 $60

Stadium Reserved $396 $22 $25

Bleacher Reserved $324 $18 $20

Cauldron $252 $14 $20

Grass Berm/General Admission $180 $10 $15

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Major League Soccer Stories from February 15, 2010


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