Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update
Published on September 23, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards and Price Chopper welcomed a franchise record 30,308 fans into Arrowhead Stadium for Saturday night's match against the San Jose Earthquakes, breaking their single-game attendance record. In a unique partnership with Price Chopper, the Wizards shattered their previous attendance mark of 22,403 set on April 12, 2003. Saturday's crowd marked the fourth highest crowd for a match in all of MLS this season. With 30,308 fans at Saturday's game, the Wizards have increased their average season attendance to 16,354, a mark nearly 3,500 more than the franchise record set in 1996 when they averaged 12,878 fans over 16 home dates. The attendance increase also guarantees the Wizards their fifth consecutive season of increased average attendance (total home games have fluctuated between 13 and 16 home games per year since 1996), a feat unmatched by any other team in MLS history.
Wizards Take On Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center September 27th
The Kansas City Wizards (7-10-8, 29 points) will travel to The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA on Saturday, September 27th to take on the Los Angeles Galaxy (8-9-8, 32 points). The match will kickoff at 9:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on Metro Sports and Fox Sports World.
Saturday's battle would have featured the top two scorers in MLS with Preki leading the league in scoring with 34 points (11g, 12a) and Galaxy forward Carlos Ruiz sitting second with 31 points (14g, 3a). However, Ruiz will serve a one game suspension for caution point accumulation after being issued a yellow card in last weekend's match. Ruiz was the hero on Saturday as the Galaxy posted a dramatic 1-0 overtime win against D.C. United. Ruiz found the back of the net in the 99th minute for his 5th game-winning goal of the season and second overtime goal of the year.
The Galaxy will sorely miss Ruiz, who has scored 14 of the teams 29 goals this season. Midfielder Cobi Jones is the team's second leading scorer with 11 points (2g, 7a). No other player on the Galaxy roster has scored more then three goals for the defending MLS champions. The Wizards will look to find their winning ways once again as they battle the Galaxy twice in the final five games of the regular season. Kansas City currently holds the 4th seed in the Western Conference playoff race and trails Los Angeles by just three points. A Wizards win on Saturday, combined with a Dallas Burn loss at San Jose this weekend, would guarantee Kansas City a trip to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season.
Catch the Wizards on Metro Sports This Saturday, September 27th
The Kansas City Wizards will host a watch party for the Wizards game on Saturday, September 27th when the team faces the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. The match will kickoff at 9:00 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on Metro Sports. The watch party will take place at Coach's Bar and Grill in South Kansas City, located at 414 W. 103rd St., just off 103rd and Wornall. Remember to wear blue and cheer on your Wizards as they take on the Galaxy. For directions, call Coach's Bar and Grill at 816-941-2286.
Join the Wizards for Second Johnsonville "Buck-A-Brat" Night on October 4th
The Kansas City Wizards will host their second ever Johnsonville "Buck-A-Brat" Night at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, October 4th when the Wizards face the Colorado Rapids. The Wizards will offer soccer fans the chance to purchase juicy Johnsonville Bratwurst's for just $1 each at any concession stand throughout Arrowhead Stadium. The first "Buck-a-Brat" Night took place on May 4th and was a huge success. In all 4,826 bratwursts were consumed during the Wizards match against the Columbus Crew.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 23, 2003
- Galaxy Knocked out of Open Cup by Fire - LA Galaxy
- "7-8-9" Combo Leads Fire to Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Final - Chicago Fire FC
- Kroenke Buys Rapids; Announces New Stadium Plan - Colorado Rapids
- Kroenke Sports Buys Rapids - MLS
- Atlantic Cup Battle to Continue - D.C. United
- It's Tee Time for D.C. United and Local Celebrities - D.C. United
- Hispanic Heritage Night Coming to Gillette Stadium on Sunday - New England Revolution
- Chicago Fire Has the Edge - Chicago Fire FC
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
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