MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

Published on July 29, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Free Tickets to Los Angeles Galaxy Match Available Through Special Ticket Package

Free tickets are available immediately for the match between the Kansas City Wizards and Los Angeles Galaxy Sept. 13. Fans who purchase a special ticket package that includes games in both the 2008 and 2009 seasons are eligible for the free tickets. The match has changed venues from CommunityAmerica Ballpark to Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff time has also changed and will now be 4 p.m. CT.

The "2008-2009 Season Ticket Package" includes tickets to three games in 2008 and a deposit on season tickets for the 2009 season. The first 500 who purchase this package will receive complimentary lower-bowl tickets to the Los Angeles Galaxy match. Individual tickets to the game will go on sale in mid-August. Supplies are going fast, but a limited amount of tickets are still available through this program.

For more information, call the Kansas City Wizards ticket office at (913) 387-3400 or visit Ticketmaster.com here.

Purchase Autism-Awareness Fundraiser Tickets to August 9 Match Against Chivas USA

Purchase tickets through our special Autism Awareness promotion for the August 9 match against Chivas USA. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket ordered through this special discount offer will be donated to Autism Speaks. Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad hosted a special clinic for children with Autism last week for around 50 children at the team's Swope Park Training Center.

Contact Wizards sales representative Emily Hanover at 913.387.3838 or ehanover@kwizards.com

and mention the Autism Awareness special to receive the discount.

KCW Juniors U-19s Finish as Runners-Up at National Tournament

The KCW Juniors U-19 team returned to Kansas City over the weekend the second-best U-19 team in the country after an impressive run to the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championship Game Sunday. In an end-to-end game, one moment of brilliance ended the U-19 boys KC Wizards Juniors' surprising run at the 2008 U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships in Little Rock, Ark.

With the game seemingly heading for extra time, Dallas Texas' Solar 89 stole the match 1-0 and the national title with a goal in the 92nd minute. Solar was awarded a free kick about 35 yards from goal, which was played short to tournament most valuable player Hunter Jumper, who fired a low shot through a crowded penalty area and in at the near post to give Solar 89 its first national title in four attempts.

In sweltering heat and humidity, with a heat index well above 100 degrees, Solar and the Wizards played at a blistering pace for 90 minutes. Solar had the best of the early chances, forcing Kansas City goalkeeper Alex Burton - who was awarded the Adidas Golden Glove award for best goalkeeper - into a couple easy saves.

The teams played the second half at the same hectic pace, often foregoing midfield holding in favor of quick counterattacks. Just as it did in the first half, Burton's brave goalkeeping kept Solar off the scoreboard. At the other end, the Wizards struggled to create scoring chances, as Solar's defense continually frustrated Kansas City's forwards by closing shooting lanes and deflecting shots.

The Wizards best chance came late, as Kelly Porter turned away from two defenders. The path to goal cleared momentarily, but Porter's shot from dead center at the top of the penalty box was deflected as the Solar defense recovered to close the space.

With time winding down and an extra 30 minutes seeming inevitable, the Texans finally got the breakthrough, as Wizards captain Willie Koss fouled 35 yards from his own goal to stop a Solar attack. After Jumper's goal, Kansas City threw all hands forward, including Burton, for a last-second corner kick, and although the ball fell in the penalty area, the Wizards could only scramble it well over the bar with the last kick of the match.

After the match, the Wizards were awarded the tournament's Fair Play award. Despite the disappointment of losing a national championship, which left the bench silent after the game and some players in tears, head coach Jon Parry credited his team's effort and applauded its progress since forming in mid-May.

"This is something you'll remember for the rest of your lives," he told his players. "You've left a legacy for [the Juniors program] and for soccer in Kansas City."

KC Wizards Juniors starting lineup

GK Alex Burton, RB Austin Eanes, CB Kyle Miller, CB Matt Griffin, LB Michael Perry, RM Brett Heinz, CM Coleton Henning, CM Willie Koss, LM Tyler Schwab, F Giovanni Edward, F Curt McDonald

Scoring summary

Solar 89 - Hunter Jumper, 92+

Discipline summary

KCW - Matt Griffin, 12 (professional foul)

KCW - Chase McCoy, 48+ (elbowing)

Solar - Ian Smith, 52 (reckless foul)

Statistics (KCW-Solar) Shots: 15-19 Shots on goal: 4-14 Saves: 13-4 Corner kicks: 6-7 Yellow cards: 2-1 Offside: 2-2

Nationals Schedule

Day, time Opponent Result

Wednesday, 7:30 a.m. Freestate United (Maryland) 3-2 W

Thursday, 11:30 a.m. Colorado Nike Rush 3-1 W

Friday, 9:30 a.m. Solar 89 (Northern Texas) 1-1 T

Sunday, 10:45 a.m. U-19 Boys National Championship Game 1-0 L

KCW Juniors U-19 Roster

Pos Player Hometown College GK Scott Angevine Overland Park, KS Coastal Carolina GK Alex Burton Lansing, KS Baker University M Ian Christiansen Lee's Summit, MO Graceland University D Austin Eanes Scituate, MA Evansville University F Giovanni Edward Toronto, Canada Graceland College D Matt Griffin Olathe, KS Baker University D Brett Heinz Leawood, KS Graceland University M Colton Henning Shawnee, KS Furman University M Willie Koss Overland Park, KS Loyola-Chicago M Matt Kuhn Raytown, Mo Drake University F Chase McCoy Blue Springs, MO Hastings College F Curt McDonald Leawood, KS Loyola-Chicago M Michael McDonald Leawood, KS Rockhurst University D Kyle Miller Overland Park, KS Rockhurst University M/F Spencer Nash Shawnee, KS Baker University D Tyler Nichol Blue Springs, MO Rockhurst University D/M Michael Perry Overland Park, KS Denver University F Kelly Porter Wichita, KS Coastal Carolina M Tyler Schwab Leawood, KS Marquette University M/F Josh Westberg Overland Park, KS Loyola-Chicago

The Jimmy Conrad Show Back in Kansas City This Week

The Jimmy Conrad Show returns to Kansas City this Wednesday after spending last week north of the border for the League's All-Star showcase. Conrad and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will host the show live McFadden's in Kansas City's Power and Light District Wednesday, July 30 at 7 p.m. CT. Wheelock and Conrad will discuss last week's All-Star game, Sunday's match against the Chicago Fire and the upcoming road trip to D.C. United.

Archives of The Jimmy Conrad Show are available online at the Wizards podcast page.

Wizards Weekly Press Conference Moved to Friday

The Kansas City Wizards weekly press conference usually held on Thursday afternoon will be moved to Friday this week to include accommodate the MLS All-Star Game Thursday evening against West Ham United. The conference will start at 12:00 p.m. CT at the pavilion adjacent to the team's Swope Park Training Center. Head Coach Curt Onalfo and second-year defender Aaron Hohlbein will be available to discuss the upcoming match with the Chicago Fire. Planet Sub sandwiches and cookies will be provided to all media members who attend. Each Kansas City Wizards practice will still be open to media, and outlets are encouraged to take advantage of the Wizards media policy.

Zona Wizards Airs Live Thursday on La Playa 1480 AM, Time Warner Cable Channel 5

Zona Wizards, the weekly Spanish-language radio and TV show, will air live this Thursday at 2 p.m. on La Playa 1480 AM and Time Warner Cable Channel 5. Hosted by Enrique Morales and Raul Villegas, Zona Wizards will feature a player this week and highlight the Chicago Fire match last Sunday played in front of the Wizards fourth sellout of 2008.

Wizards Weekly to Air Thursday, Friday, Saturday

Wizards Weekly, Kansas City's weekly magazine show covering the Wizards will feature Head Coach Curt Onalfo and a player this week. Metro Sports will air Wizards Weekly three times per week.

Wizards Weekly show times:

Thursday's 9:30 p.m. CT

Friday's 6:30 p.m. CT

Saturday's 11:30 a.m. CT

Community Events Successful Last Weekend

Saturday, the Wizards and Ward Parkway Center shopping center partnered for a soccer-themed event outside the Starbucks. The Wizards brought inflatables, soccer-tennis nets, while Starting 11 Girls and players were on hand for appearances. Hundreds of fans stopped by to take in the festivities and eat some fresh-off-the-grill treats. Thanks to all who attended.

Sunday, the Wizards and 94.9 KCMO partnered for a "Stuff the Bus" school supply drive. Members of the Kansas City Wizards Wives Club collected school supplies at CommunityAmerica Ballpark that will be donated to the City Union Mission to help the less fortunate. Wizards fans generously filled up a large bin with supplies for the Mission. Thanks for your generous support, fans. You truly make a difference.

Check out the Sporting Kansas City Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 29, 2008


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