Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update
Published on August 15, 2005 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Wizards Host Chicago Fire This Friday, August 19th
The Kansas City Wizards (10-5-8, 38 points) return from a three-game road trip to host the Chicago Fire (12-9-3, 39 points) at Arrowhead Stadium on Friday, August 19th. The match will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. and will be the first of two consecutive Friday home games against Eastern Conference opponents.
Kansas City posted three straight road victories over the past eight days with wins at New England, Chicago and Salt Lake, the first time the team has taken the full 9 points from three consecutive road matches in franchise history. During their three-game winning streak, the Wizards outscored their opponents 9-5.
Chicago sits just one point ahead of the Wizards in the Eastern Conference standings with eight games remaining on their schedule, including just two home games the rest of the season. They are coming off a 2-1 win against Los Angeles last weekend, a win that snapped their previous four-game winless streak (0-3-1) that dated back to July 9th. The win was a product of a shakeup in the lineup as seven new faces started Saturday from the 11 that blew a two-goal lead against the Wizards last Wednesday.
The Fire lead the League with 41 goals scored, but have surrendered 38 goals, the third most in MLS behind expansion teams Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA. The Wizards are a close second in goals for with 40 goals, led by a trio of players with seven goals apiece (Chris Klein, Scott Sealy and Sasha Victorine).
Conrad & Sealy to Face Each Other When U.S. Hosts Trinidad in World Cup Qualifier
Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad and forward Scott Sealy will find themselves squaring off against each other on Wednesday night as Conrad and the U.S. National Team take on Sealy and the Trinidad & Tobago National Team in a World Cup Qualifier. The U.S. vs. Trinidad & Tobago match will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. CT from Hartford, Connecticut and will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Conrad continues to draw the attention of U.S. Head Coach Bruce Arena, getting the call to the National Team again following his impressive contribution during their run to the Gold Cup championship last month. Conrad made his international debut on July 7th against Cuba and appeared in all six matches during the tournament, including five starts. Sealy returns to the Trinidad & Tobago National team for the first time since the Digicel Caribbean Cup in February. He has appeared nine times for his country since making his international debut against the Dominican Republic in a World Cup Qualifier on June 20, 2004.
Scott Sealy Making Bid for MLS Rookie of the Year
Wizards forward Scott Sealy is having a remarkable rookie season and is making his bid for MLS Rookie of the Year. He has appeared in 21 of the team's 23 games, including 15 starts, scoring seven goals and adding two assists. Last weekend he recorded his seventh goal of the season in the 52nd minute of the Wizards 4-2 win at Real Salt Lake and leads all MLS rookies in goals scored.
He has a team-high two game-winning goals, and his seven goals overall ties Chris Klein and Sasha Victorine for the team lead. He already shattered the franchise scoring record for a rookie last month, surpassing Chris Brown's previous mark of four goals in 1999. The MLS record for goals by a rookie is 11, scored by Chicago's Damani Ralph in 2003.
Wizards Host Minnesota Thunder in U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals at Park University August 24th
The reigning U.S. Open Cup Champion Kansas City Wizards will continue defense of their title on Wednesday, August 24th when they host the Minnesota Thunder (USL1) in the Quarterfinals of the 2005 U.S. Open Cup. The Quarterfinal match will take place at Park University's Julian Field in Parkville, MO with kickoff slated for 7:00 p.m. CT.
Tickets for the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal match will once again be General Admission and are $10 for adults and $5 for youth (15 and under). Park University students can purchase tickets for just $5 with a valid student ID. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased in advance at the Wizards Box Office, located at Gate D-1 of Arrowhead Stadium, or at Julian Field on the day of the game. Season tickets and vouchers will not be accepted for this game.
Once again, the Power Plant Restaurant & Brewery in Parkville will host a pre and post-game party for all Wizards fans. Food and drink specials will be available before and after the game. The Power Plant Restaurant & Brewery is located just four blocks from Park University at 2 Main Street. For directions call 816-746-5051.
Special Offer from Thrifty for All Wizards Fans
Thrifty Car Rental and the Kansas City Wizards are teaming up to offer a special deal for all Wizards fans. Visit the Wizards website, www.kcwizards.com, for a coupon good for 10% off a car rental or a free Thrifty Car Rental soccer ball. Fans can bring the coupon to any of the three area Thrifty locations to receive their choice of the 10% discount or the soccer ball. The offer is good at the Kansas City Airport location (11530 NW Prairie View Rd.), Downtown Kansas City (2001 Baltimore) or Overland Park (9670 Quivera). For more information on Thrifty, log on to www.kansascity.thrifty.com.
Wizards Accepting Nominations for "Community Spotlight" Online The Kansas City Wizards have teamed up with Osco Drug and Edy's GRAND Ice Cream to present the Wizards "Community Spotlight". Prior to each home game, the Wizards will select a youth soccer team and a coach to be honored on the field at Arrowhead Stadium.
The "Osco Stars in the Community" will receive tickets to the game and will be seated in the special "Osco Haus", located on the field behind the east endline. The "Edy's Coach of the Week" receives tickets to the game and a special gift from Edy's and the Wizards.
To nominate your soccer team or coach, log on to www.kcwizards.com and click on "Community Spotlight.
Wizards Injury/Absence Report
Player Status Injury/Reason
D - Jose Burciaga
Probable
Knee Impingement (R)
M - Kerry Zavagnin
Probable
Strained Hamstring (R)
Major League Soccer Stories from August 15, 2005
- Chivas USA release defenders Alfonso Loera, Aaron Lopez - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Earthquakes head to Salt Lake City - San Jose Earthquakes
- RSL prepares for battle against San Jose Earthquakes - Real Salt Lake
- Chicago Fire Weekly Update - Chicago Fire FC
- Chivas USA continues training on East coast - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Details Unveiled for Fourth Annual United for D.C. Golf Tournament - D.C. United
- MetroStars Weekly Report - New York Red Bulls
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- Josh Wolff Voted Honda MLS Player of the Week - Sporting Kansas City
- Rapids pre-game notes - Colorado Rapids
- L.A. Galaxy Weekly Update - LA Galaxy
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