Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update
November 3, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Kansas City Wizards Weekly Schedule
The Kansas City Wizards head to Columbus this Saturday, Nov. 8 for the decisive game of their two-match 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinal Series. After tying 1-1 Saturday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, the teams are all square heading into the final match of the series. The team that scores the most combined goals between the two games will be the series winner. If the score is still tied after 90 minutes Saturday night in Columbus, the series will go to 30 minutes of extra time and then penalty kicks if needed. HDNet will again broadcast Saturday's game live nationally, while Metro Sports will televise locally in English and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 will televise locally in Spanish.
The Wizards look to bring the first Major League professional championship to Kansas City since their 2000 MLS Cup crown. Kansas City has qualified for the playoffs in each of the two seasons that locally-based ownership group OnGoal has controlled the team. In 2008, Kansas City increased its point total over the 2007 season from 40 to 42 by losing two fewer games and tying two more.
Tuesday, November 4 - Training
10:00 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center
Wednesday, November 5 - Training
10:00 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center
Thursday, November 6 - Training and Travel
10:00 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center
Friday, November 7 - Training in Columbus***
1:00 p.m. ET; Columbus Crew Obetz Training Center***
Saturday, November 8 - Eastern Conference Semifinal Series Game 2
6:30 p.m. CT Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew on HDNet (English), Metro Sports (English) and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish)
Wizards Notch First-Ever Post-Season Sellout in Saturday's 1-1 Tie; Series Now Moves to Game 2 Nov. 8 in Columbus
The Kansas City Wizards tied the top-seeded Columbus Crew 1-1 Saturday in front of a raucous sellout crowd at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Saturday marked the first time in team history that a post-season match was sold out. The Wizards responded with a strong performance on the field, including a highlight-reel goal from midfielder Davy Arnaud and two spectacular saves from Kevin Hartman off long shots from Crew defender Frankie Hejduk.
After a last-gasp equalizer from Columbus in second-half stoppage time last Saturday, the teams are even at one goal apiece heading into the decisive Game 2 this Saturday in Columbus. Kansas City will be without right-sided midfielder Herculez Gomez, however, after he was ejected in the 75th minute for a tackle against Crew left back Gino Padula. Kansas City was 0-1-1 this season in Columbus, including a 2-1 loss and a 3-3 tie. Kansas City's three goals equal the highest total allowed by Columbus in a home match during the 2008 regular season.
Wizards attackers Claudio Lopez and Davy Arnaud continued their strong form Saturday, combing for a beautiful goal in the 53rd minute. Arnaud started the play with a pass wide for Lopez, then made a run down the center of the field that resulted in a diving-header goal when Lopez dropped a pinpoint cross into Arnaud's path with his first touch. Arnaud now has one goal in each of his last three games, while Lopez has two goals and four assists in his last three matches.
Travel to Columbus for Saturday's Match or Attend the Watch Party at Barley's
The Wizards have organized a bus trip to Columbus for supporters that includes a ticket to the match Saturday at Columbus Crew Stadium and bus fare for only $125. Hotel accommodations are separate, but the team has arranged for a discounted rate at the Doubletree Guests Suite in downtown Columbus. Cost is just $105 for a quadruple-occupancy room. Fans can attend the away match in central Ohio for just over $150. For more information or to save a seat on the bus, contact Sam Pierron with the Wizards at (913) 387-3413 or spierron@kcwizards.com.
Can't make the bus trip to Columbus? Join fellow Wizards fans at Barley's Brewhaus in Shawnee, Kan. Beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT Saturday night, Barley's is the place to watch the team play for a spot in the Eastern Conference Championship match.
MLS Cup Playoff Picture
2008 MLS Cup Playoffs Schedule
All times Central; schedule subject to change
Conference Semifinals, Game 2:
New England Revolution at Chicago Fire - Thurs. 11/6 at 7:30 p.m. CT on ESPN2/Deportes (Series tied 0-0) Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew - Sat. 11/8 at 6:30 p.m. CT on HDNet/ ONN/Metro Sports/TWC-5/Direct Kick/MLS Live TV (Series tied 1-1) Real Salt Lake at Chivas USA - Sat. 11/8 at 9:30 p.m. CT on Fox Soccer Channel/Fox Sports en Español (RSL leads 1-0) New York Red Bulls at Houston Dynamo - Sun. 11/9 at 2 p.m. CT on TeleFutura/MSG Plus/Ch. 55 (Series tied 1-1)
Conference Championships, TBD - 11/13 and either 11/15 or 11/16 (ESPN2/Deportes/HDNet/FSC/FSE)
MLS Cup 2008 - Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC and TeleFutura
MLS CUP PLAYOFFS FORMAT
Who Qualifies: Eight teams qualify for the 2008 MLS Cup Playoffs. Playoff berths will be determined by points in the standings upon the completion of the regular season. All 14 teams will have played 30 games.
- The top three teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1, 2 & 3 in their respective four-team playoff conference brackets.
- The two MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive "wildcard" berths.
- The two wildcard teams will be seeded according to conference first.
- If more than four teams qualify from one conference, the team finishing lower than fourth in its conference will shift over to the other conference bracket.
- A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket.
Playoff Format: Conference Semifinal series are conducted in a home-and-home, aggregate-goal format. The lower seeded team in the Conference Semifinal hosts the first game. The winners of those four series advance to single-game Conference Championships that will determine the MLS Cup Finalists.
The team that scores the most goals in the home-and-home series advances to the single elimination Conference Championship. If the teams are tied after 180 minutes in the Conference Semifinal series, a 30-minute extra time period (divided into two 15-minute periods) will be played followed by kicks from the penalty mark, if necessary. The team with the higher seed between the two Conference finalists will host the Conference Championship game.
In the case of ties after 90 minutes of regulation in the Eastern and Western Conference Championship games and MLS Cup, 30 minutes of extra time (divided into two 15-minute periods) would be played followed by kicks from the penalty mark, if necessary, to determine the winners.
Kansas City Wizards Lower Season Ticket Prices for 2009 Season
The Kansas City Wizards have lowered prices for season ticket holders from their 2008 rates and will continue to offer free parking at all events. Kansas City also introduced two exciting new seating options: All-You-Can-Eat Seats and Full-Service Terrace Table Seats. Wizards fans who put down a new season ticket deposit for the 2009 season will receive a free season ticket holder scarf. To purchase season tickets for 2009, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400.
In addition to their existing seating categories, the Wizards are adding All-You-Can-Eat Seats and Full-Service Terrace Tables for fans who enjoy premium entertainment options. All-You-Can-Eat Seats will be located in section 106 behind the West goal and allow patrons unlimited food and drink during the game. Full-Service Terrace Tables are high-tops around the stadium and will include unlimited drinks during each match.
The Wizards also offer a free bus to groups of 50 from within the Kansas City metro area. Contact a Wizards sales rep at (913) 387-3400 for more information about bringing your group outing to a Kansas City Wizards match.
2009 Season-Ticket Prices (All packages for 18 games)
Savings 2009 2009
2009 2009 (per seat Season Ticket 18 Game STH
Location Gate Price STH Price per game) Savings (%) Price (per seat)
Field Side Reserved $ 120.00 $ 100.00 $ 20.00 17% $ 1,800.00
Stadium Reserved $ 25.00 $ 22.00 $ 3.00 12% $ 396.00
Cauldron $ 20.00 $ 14.00 $ 6.00 30% $ 252.00
Bleacher $ 20.00 $ 18.00 $ 2.00 10% $ 324.00
Grass Berm/GA* $ 15.00 $ 10.00 $ 5.00 33% $ 180.00
*GA now includes sections 100-103
New 2009 Seating Option Prices (All packages for 18 games)
Savings 2009 2009
2009 2009 (per seat Season Ticket 18 Game STH
Location Gate Price STH Price per game) Savings (%) Price (per seat)
All You Can Eat Seats $ 35.00 $ 30.00 $ 5.00 14% $ 540.00
Terrace Tables $ 60.00 $ 50.00 $ 10.00 17% $ 3,600.00
(4 seats per table)
Hartman's Pink Goalkeeper Jersey Auctioned Off as Part of Breast Cancer Fundraiser
Two of goalkeeper Kevin Hartman's autographed, pink jerseys from the October 11 match against the New England Revolution are still available for auction at kcwizards.com. Hartman wore two jerseys in the match (one in each half), and both will be available for sale. Proceeds from the sale will be matched by the game sponsor American Family Insurance and donated to Young Survival Coalition, an organization dedicated to assisting young women who currently have or are survivors of breast cancer.
Shoes From Davy Arnaud, Lance Watson up for Auction to Benefit Former Soccer Coach in Houston Area
Wizards midfielders Davy Arnaud and Lance Watson grew up in the town of Nederland, Texas in the Southeastern part of the state that was most devastated by Hurricane Ike in mid-September. A former youth coach of both Arnaud and Watson named Brian Arendale had his house completed destroyed in the storm. Now Arnaud and Watson are auctioning off game-worn cleats, with all proceeds going to help the Arendale family rebuild their home.
The Jimmy Conrad Show Live from McFadden's Wednesday
The Jimmy Conrad Show will be hosted by Jimmy Conrad and voice of the Sean Wheelock live from McFadden's in Kansas City's Power and Light District Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7 p.m. CT. This week, Conrad and Wheelock will chat about Leg 2 of the Eastern Conference Semifinal Series against the Columbus Crew be joined by a guest from around Major League Soccer.
Archives of The Jimmy Conrad Show are available online at the Wizards podcast page.
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 each week.
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 each 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
Major League Soccer Stories from November 3, 2008
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- Chivas USA Playoff Update - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- Red Bulls Forward Juan Pablo Angel Voted Player Of The Month For October - New York Red Bulls
- D.C. United's Copa D.C. VIII a success - D.C. United
- Red Bull New York Names Cris da Silva and Andrew Sparkes Academy Coaches - New York Red Bulls
- New York Red Bulls Weekly Update - New York Red Bulls
- Chicago Fire Weekly Update - Chicago Fire FC
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