Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update: MLS SuperDraft Airs Thursday On ESPN2
January 11, 2010 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
WIZARDS TO ADD PLAYERS THURSDAY THROUGH MLS SUPERDRAFT:
The 2010 MLS SuperDraft takes place this Thursday, Jan. 14 from the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia at 1 p.m. CT. The first hour will be broadcast live on ESPN2; the remainder of the draft can be followed on MLSnet.com. Members of Kansas City's technical staff are currently at the MLS Combine in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. for final scouting before the draft.
The Wizards control five picks in the upcoming draft, including the 4th overall selection. Kansas City also controls an extra 3rd round selection acquired from the New England Revolution in exchange for an international roster spot that the Revolution retains through Jan. 1, 2011. The Wizards will provide exclusive SuperDraft coverage via the team website www.kcwizards.com and team blog www.hillcrestroadblog.com, including video updates from team President Robb Heineman. Supporters can also follow the Wizards draft-day selections via the team's Twitter account.
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS SUPERDRAFT SELECTIONS
Round Pick (Overall) Note
1 4 (4) Natural Selection
2 4 (20) Natural Selection
3 4 (36) Natural Selection
3 9 (41) From New England
4 4 (52) Natural Selection
Last season, the Wizards selected Overland Park native and Blue Valley West product Matt Besler with the 8th overall selection in the SuperDraft. Besler, who played four collegiate seasons at Notre Dame, went on to play in 28 games (26 starts) as a rookie. Besler played both left back and central defender in 2009. Besler's collegiate teammate Michael Thomas, a St. Thomas Aquinas product, scored a goal Monday at the MLS Combine and will be available in the SuperDraft.
WIZARDS TO HOST WATCH PARTY TUESDAY AS USA BID COMMITTEE ANNOUNCES BID CITIES:
The USA Bid Committee will conclude its eight-month host city selection process Tuesday by unveiling the list of 18 cities to be included in the official United States bid book due to FIFA, the international governing body of soccer, by May 14, 2010. The announcement will take place live at 2:30 p.m. CT on ESPNews. The Wizards will host a watch party for Tuesday's announcement at the 810 Zone on the Country Club Plaza.
These 18 cities will represent the United States in the national bid and continue working with the USA Bid Committee on the development and promotion of the local and national campaigns leading up to FIFA's awarding of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments on Dec. 2, 2010. Kansas City is one of 27 cities still in the running to be part of the bid book. Kansas City currently ranks 6th out of the 27 cities in an online petition with over 10,000 signatures from supporters in the last three months.
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.
"The last two years we have been pleased with the number of talented players who have taken part in our open tryouts," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "We are always looking to improve our roster, and these tryouts give us a chance to get a look at players who might be trying to take a less conventional route to MLS."
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
WIZARDS INTRODUCE NEW TOLL-FREE NUMBER:
Wizards fans across the country now have a new toll-free number to reach their favorite club. Fans calling from out of town can reach the Wizards at 888-4KC-GOAL. This number will ring directly into the Wizards offices, and is the best number for fans to dial for ticket purchases or for any organizational questions. Fans locally can still reach the Wizards by calling (913) 387-3400.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 11, 2010
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update: MLS SuperDraft Airs Thursday On ESPN2 - Sporting Kansas City
- Earthquakes Weekly Update - San Jose Earthquakes
- New York Red Bulls Weekly Update - New York Red Bulls
- Chicago Fire Announce Carlos de los Cobos as New Head Coach - Chicago Fire FC
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