MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Face Columbus Crew Tonight on ESPN

July 17, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


July 17, 2008) - The Kansas City Wizards (5-5-5, 20 pts) travel to Columbus, Ohio for the second time this season to take on the Columbus Crew (8-5-3, 27 pts) in a pivotal Eastern-Conference tilt on ESPN's MLS Primetime. Columbus currently sits seven points ahead of the Wizards in the standings. Should Kansas City win tonight (ESPN and ESPN Deportes; 7 p.m. CT), they will trail Columbus by only four points and have one game in hand entering the second half of the MLS season.

Long-time soccer announcer JP Dellacamera and former U.S. National Team and MLS standout John Harkes will have the call tonight for ESPN. Tonight's match is one of just two MLS games featured on ESPN this season, as MLS Primetime games are generally shown live on ESPN 2. Tonight's game and next Thursday's Pepsi MLS All-Star game against English Premier League club West Ham United are the only two scheduled for ESPN in 2008. Two games will also appear on ABC, including MLS Cup 2008 on November 23 live from the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif.

The Wizards and Crew have already played twice this season, with Columbus winning each of the first two match-ups. Columbus defeated the Wizards 2-1 May 3 at Crew Stadium before beating Kansas City 3-0 June 14 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The Wizards have not lost an MLS match since June 14, going 2-0-2 and allowing only two goals. Kansas City has the second-fewest goals allowed in MLS play this season, thanks to goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the team's stingy back line.

Defender and captain Jimmy Conrad has been named to the 2008 MLS All-Star team as a member of the All-Star First XI. Voted on by fans, fellow players, coaches/general managers and the media, Conrad was selected one of the top three defenders in the League. He has led a mostly inexperienced defensive core that has surrendered just 18 goals the season, good for second in MLS. Of the six other defenders who have started on the Wizards back line with Conrad this season, only Jack Jewsbury has been in MLS for more than two seasons. Jewsbury is also relatively inexperienced as a defender, playing primarily as a midfielder before moving to right back in 2007. Conrad also leads Kansas City with a career-high four goals.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has had another strong season, extending his all-time MLS marks in both wins (132) and shutouts (73). He is also closing in on former Wizards standout Tony Meola on the League's all-time saves mark. Hartman trails Meola by only 56 saves. If he plays the remaining 15 games for Kansas City, Hartman must average only 3.73 saves per game to tie Meola. Hartman currently averages 4.47 saves per game on the year.

Newly signed forward Josh Wolff will be available tonight for the Wizards after receiving his International Transfer Certificate Wednesday. Wolff previously played with 1860 Munich in the 2.Bundesliga for over a season. Wolff starred in Kansas City from 2003-2006 and helped lead the Wizards to the 2004 U.S. Open Cup championship and a spot in MLS Cup 2004.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 17, 2008


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