MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

Published on March 8, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


WIZARDS WIN, DRAW FINAL ARIZONA TUNE-UPS:

The Kansas City Wizards finished their five-week stay in Arizona on a winning note Sunday, defeating a combined Arizona Sahuaros/Grand Canyon University squad 4-0 at Phoenix's Westside Complex. Midfielder Ryan Smith and forward Teal Bunbury had two goals apiece, with three assists from defender Michael Harrington and one from midfielder Stéphane Auvray. Unfortunately for the Wizards, the scoring would end at four; the game was called short due to rain.

Earlier in the week, the Wizards fought back to earn a draw against the Columbus Crew, current holders of the MLS Supporters' Shield. Brian Carroll scored first for the Crew in the 18th minute, but from then on the Wizards controlled the run of play. Kansas City nearly had an equalizer before halftime, as the Wizards were awarded a penalty kick after Josh Wolff was brought down in the box. Midfielder Davy Arnaud stepped up and buried the ensuing spot kick, but his strike was called back after Wizards players were adjudged to have entered the penalty box before the kick was taken. Crew goalkeeper Will Hesmer then saved Arnaud's second attempt.

Things would swing the Wizards' way in the second half, as the team created a multitude of scoring opportunities, keeping Columbus in their own end for most of the half. The team's pressure paid off 10 minutes from time, as midfielder Graham Zusi finished a blistering strike from the top of the penalty area.

"With the way our guys have progressed, we feel like we're at a good pace right now," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said after the Columbus game. "Now it's just a matter of using the upcoming games to build off of what we did the last time."

The Wizards finish their eight-game Arizona schedule with a record of 3-2-3. Forwards Kei Kamara and Josh Wolff tied for the team lead in goals with three apiece, while midfielder Ryan Smith and forward Teal Bunbury both had two goals. Forward Zoltan and midfielders Mauro Fuzetti and Graham Zusi registered a goal each.

Wizards Preseason Game Results:

Date Opponent Location Result

Saturday, Feb. 6

Arizona Sahuaros

Grand Canyon University

Win, 5-0

Wednesday, Feb. 10

San Jose Earthquakes

Reach 11

Win, 3-0

Saturday, Feb. 13

San Jose Earthquakes

Arizona State University

Loss, 1-0

Wednesday, Feb. 24

Chivas USA

Reach 11

Tie, 1-1 0-0

Friday, Feb. 26

Los Angeles Galaxy

Reach 11

Loss, 1-0

Sunday, Feb. 28

Los Angeles Galaxy

Arizona State University

Cancelled

Thursday, March 4

Columbus Crew

Reach 11

Tie, 1-1

Sunday, March 7

Arizona Sahuaros/Grand Canyon University

Westside Complex

Win, 4-0

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

Though preparing for the season was the main objective, the team found a few ways to enjoy their trip away from the soccer field. On Saturday, the team went on a rafting adventure through the Salt River canyon. After a two and a half hour bus ride to the river, the team spent six hours on the river, with 8-9 people in each raft. Though Wizards Assistant Coach Kerry Zavagnin said the team encountered some fairly large rapids, he said the scariest part of the trip was the ride home - the bus the team used to travel was about 35 years old and sorely in need of maintenance.

Earlier in the week, the team relaxed by attending other professional sporting events. On Monday, the team headed to US Airways Arena to see the Phoenix Suns defeat the visiting Denver Nuggets 101-85 in a crucial Western conference NBA matchup.

On Friday, the team went on an excursion to the Royals' spring training game against the Texas Rangers. There, the team received a pep talk from Royals legend George Brett and enjoyed a bit of humor at a teammate's expense. Rookie Korede Aiyegbusi, a London native who had never seen a baseball game before, was named the Royals' honorary bat boy for the occasion, with hilarious results. To see how Korede handled his first taste of MLB baseball, go to www.kcwizards.com.

TEAM RETURNS TO TRAINING WEDNESDAY IN KANSAS CITY:

The Kansas City Wizards will return to training at the team's Swope Park training facility this Wednesday. On that day, the team will train in two separate groups, with the first group beginning training at 10 a.m. and the second group beginning at 1 p.m. These two groups will then play each other in an intra-squad scrimmage at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m.. Media availability will occur after both training sessions on Wednesday, at approximately 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The intra-squad game Thursday night will be closed to the public, but open to the media.

Tuesday, March 9th

Day Off

Wednesday, March 10th

Training 10 a.m. (Team 1) - Media availability at 11:30 Training 1 p.m. (Team 2) - Media availability at 2:30

Thursday, March 11th

Intra-squad game - 7:30 p.m. at CAB

Friday, March 12th

Regeneration - 10 a.m.

Saturday, March 13th

Day Off

Sunday, March 14th

Day Off

Kansas City Preseason Player List (as of 3/8/10):

Player Pos. Birthdate Hometown College

Korede Aiyegbusi D/M 07/15/1988 London, UK NC State

Davy Arnaud M/F 06/22/1980 Nederland, TX West Texas A&M

Stéphane Auvray MID 09/04/1981 Les Abymes, Guadeloupe

Matt Besler DEF 02/11/1987 Overland Park, KS Notre Dame

Teal Bunbury FWD 02/17/1990 Prior Lake, MN Akron

Jimmy Conrad DEF 02/12/1977 Temple City, CA UCLA

Louis Crayton GK 01/26/1977 Monrovia, Liberia

Birahim Diop MID 02/07/1979 Thies, Senegal

Pablo Escobar DEF 02/12/1987 Valle de Cauca, Colombia

Roger Espinoza MID 10/25/1986 Aurora, CO Ohio State

Mauro Fuzetti MID 11/18/1987 Houston, TX Michigan

Michael Harrington D/M 01/24/1986 Greenville, NC North Carolina

Zoltan Hercegfalvi FWD 12/31/1979 Budapest, Hungary

Santiago Hirsig MID 01/12/1978 Buenos Aires, Argentina

Aaron Hohlbein DEF 08/16/1985 Middleton, WI Wisconsin

Jack Jewsbury MID 04/13/1981 Springfield, MO St. Louis

Kei Kamara FWD 09/01/1984 Lawndale, CA CS Dominguez Hills

Igor Kostrov MID 03/08/1987 Moldova

Michael Kraus M/F 09/10/1984 Memphis, TN Creighton

Eric Kronberg GK 06/07/1983 Santa Rosa, CA California

Jonathan LeathersDEF 11/05/1985 Athens, GA Furman

Chance Myers D/M 12/07/1987 Thousand Oaks, CA UCLA

Jimmy Nielsen GK 08/06/1977 Aalborg, Denmark

Boris Pardo GK 03/22/1984 Hillside, NJ Seton Hall

Ryan Smith MID 11/10/1986 London, UK

Josh Wolff FWD 02/25/1977 Stone Mountain, GA South Carolina

Graham Zusi MID 08/18/1986 Longwood, FL Maryland

WIZARDS TO PLAY AC ST. LOUIS IN INAUGURAL "SUPPORTERS SHOWDOWN":

The Kansas City Wizards announced this week the team's formation of a new competition, with fellow Midwestern club A.C. St. Louis of the USSF Division II set to be the inaugural opponent. Dubbed the "Supporters' Showdown," the contest will consist of a game between the Kansas City Wizards and A.C. St. Louis first teams, followed by a match between supporters of both clubs.

The games will be played back-to-back on Saturday, March 20th at the Wizards' Swope Park training facility, with the Wizards and A.C. St. Louis playing first at 2 p.m. Immediately afterwards, the supporters' teams will play each other on an adjacent field. The winner of the competition will be determined by combining the scores of the two games, with a trophy awarded to the captain of the winning teams' supporters.

Admission to the games will be free for season ticket holders and $5 for the general public. Wizards fans interested in participating in the supporters' game should contact Sam Pierron at (913) 387-3413 or at spierron@kcwizards.com for more information. Only Wizards season ticket holders will be eligible to participate in the Wizards team for the supporters' match.

OPEN TRYOUTS THIS WEEKEND - SCHEDULE/ROSTERS NOW AVAILABLE:

Team rosters and schedule information for the Wizards' 2010 open tryouts are now available online at kcwizards.com, or by clicking here.

7v7 games amongst participants will take place starting at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 13th, and will last until approximately 3 p.m. The best 45-50 players will then be asked to return on Sunday, where teams will play full-sided games from 9-11 a.m. Players chosen for possible training with the Kansas City Wizards senior team will be notified on Sunday night.

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.

WIZARDS LAUNCH 15 DAYS OF MARCH GIVEAWAYS:

As a way to say thank you to Wizards fans for 15 years of support, the Wizards are giving away one prize per day on the 15 days leading up to their home opener on March 27th at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. To be eligible for a prize, you must either have purchased Wizards season tickets, Wizards single game tickets, Wizards group tickets, or registered to win on www.kcwizards.com. The winner will be listed on the website at 5:00 p.m. each day.

Prizes are as follows:

March 12th - Wizards personalized replica jersey

March 13th - An appearance by Dynamo at an event of the winner's choosing

March 14th - Autographed soccer ball signed by the 2010 Wizards

March 15th - Watch the Wizards pre-season game on March 20th at Swope Park from the Wizards bench

March 16th - A US National Team Jersey

March 17th - A tour of Weston Brewing Company, the brewer of Drop Kick Ale

March 18th - 4 Field Side Reserved tickets to the Wizards home opener

March 19th - Dinner for 4 at Dave & Buster's

March 20th - A round of golf at the National for 4

March 21st - A tour of the Swope Park training facility by a member of the Wizards coaching staff

March 22nd - One night's stay at the Hyatt Crown Center

March 23rd - Authentic Wizards home jersey

March 24th - One luxury suite night for a 2010 Wizards home game

March 25th - Post game meet and greet with a Wizards player

March 26th - Get interviewed on the Wizards pregame prior to a 2010 Wizards broadcast

March 27th - 4 VIP passes to World Cup viewing parties

JUNIORS CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN:

The Kansas City Wizards are currently accepting registrations for the 2010 KCW Juniors Camp, which runs from March 15th-17th. This camp is open to all boys (11-16yrs old) who are looking to become part of the Juniors program in the future. The KCW Juniors compete in the Frontier Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, the highest level of youth club competition in the United States, and the team is looking for committed players who will thrive in a professional environment.

All players will be evaluated by KC Wizards Juniors coaching staff and possibly invited back for further training. The cost of this camp will be $125 and it will include a training shirt and a ticket to the home opener on March 27, 2010. Those interested can register online here.

In addition to the KCW Juniors camp, the Kansas City Wizards are also offering multiple camps throughout the metro area for any player from 4-14 years old. The camps start at $100, and all campers will receive an adidas t-shirt, a Wizards game ticket, on-field graduation at a Wizards game, certificate of completion, and the chance to interact with Wizards players at the camp.

This year, the Wizards are offering a special Fantasy Camp: a once in a lifetime experience for competitive players who want the "pro" experience. Each camper will receive a full kit (jersey, shorts and socks). The jersey will be personalized with whatever name and number you choose. Campers will have an access to the Wizards' locker rooms, workout room and lounge. The campers will also get to observe Wizards training and will be addressed daily by the senior team coaching staff

Go here for more information and for registration for any of the Wizards 2010 youth soccer camps. For more information on Fantasy Camp, Juniors Camp, or any of the Wizards other youth soccer options this year, please contact Betsy Pollard at bpollard@kcwizards.com or by phone at (913) 387-3883

2010 SEASON-TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE:

The Kansas City Wizards are now accepting renewals from current season ticket holders and new season ticket purchases 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 purchase 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

Check out the Sporting Kansas City Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from March 8, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central