MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

Published on December 22, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Retired Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin Joins Kansas City Wizards Coaching Staff

The Kansas City Wizards announced last Friday that retired midfielder Kerry Zavagnin will join the coaching staff for the 2009 season as an assistant coach. Zavagnin, 34, joined the Wizards in 2000 and helped lead the team to its first-ever MLS Cup championship. He was an integral part of the club's midfield for the next nine seasons, during which time he was named to the MLS All-Star team and the MLS Best XI in 2004. In the same year, Kansas City won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Zavagnin's primary duties as an assistant will include: scouting, developing the Wizards younger players, breaking down film and assisting with training sessions, among others.

Zavagnin started his career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, where he played in 39 games over two seasons and recorded two assists. After spending one season with the Lehigh Valley Steam (USL-1), Zavagnin was drafted by the Wizards in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. He played 237 games (228 starts) and logged 20,516 minutes for Kansas City, setting team records in both categories. He scored eight goals and added 22 assists in his nine seasons in Kansas City blue. Kansas City named him the team Defender of the Year in 2001 for his defensive organization.

On top of his club success in Kansas City, Zavagnin also appeared 21 times for the United States National Team. He recorded one assist for the Red, White and Blue. The team went 15-2-4 when Zavagnin appeared.

Midfielder Roger Espinoza Called to First Honduras National Team Camp

Kansas City Wizards midfielder Roger Espinoza has been named to the training camp roster for Honduras ahead of the upcoming UNCAF (Central American Football Union) Nations Cup. The camp, which begins Jan. 1 in Miami, Florida, will help Honduras manager Reynaldo Rueda select a 20-man roster for the Central American tournament that determines the regional champion. The top five finishers in the tournament will qualify for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Espinoza has never appeared for Honduras at the youth or senior levels. Should Espinoza earn a CAP for his native country, he will become the first-ever Wizards player to represent Honduras. Three other

Kansas City selected Espinoza with the 11th overall selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft after he signed with MLS as a member of the Generation adidas program. As part of the program, Espinoza's contract does not count against the League salary cap, and adidas pays for him to continue his education while playing in the League. During his first year with the Wizards, Espinoza scored one goal and added three assists in 22 games (12 starts). He was among the rookie leaders in games played, minutes played and assists. He was part of a recent Generation adidas squad that traveled to London, England and played against reserve teams from Chelsea FC, West Ham United and Reading FC. He started two matches and came off the bench in a third.

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 via bus. Alcohol, excluding kegs, is allowed on buses to the stadium.

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)

Kansas City Wizards to Hold 2nd Annual Open Tryouts March 7-8, 2009

The Kansas City Wizards will hold its second-annual open tryouts March 7-8, 2009 in Kansas City. 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. The tryout costs $200, and players can sign up through www.kcwizards.com/opentryout.

Participants will take part in matches 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.

Kansas City Wizards Open Tryouts

March 7-8, 2009

Kansas City Wizards Swope Park Training Center

6310 Lewis Road

Kansas City, MO 64132

Kansas City Kicks Off 2009 Season Saturday, March 21, 2009 at Home, Moves Home Start Times to 7:30 p.m. CT

The Kansas City Wizards will start the 2009 season with a home match against Toronto FC on Saturday, March 21, 2009. The game will kick off at Kansas City's new start time, 7:30 p.m. CT, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Season ticket packages are now available by calling the Wizards ticket office at (913) 387-3400. Group packages for groups of 15 or more are also available for the home opener. Single-game tickets will go on sale at a later date.

Kansas City finished the 2008 regular season with a 9-2-4 home record, good for the 3rd best mark in MLS. The Wizards defeated D.C. United 2-0 on March 29, 2008 in their first-ever match at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. The stadium quickly became known for its loud atmosphere and distinct home-field advantage for the Wizards, as the team closed with a 7-0-3 mark in its last 10 regular-season home games.

In 2009, the Wizards will continue to 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 via bus. Alcohol, excluding kegs, is allowed on buses to the stadium.

Visit www.thetrailskc.com for Latest on The Trails Development

For the latest on The Trails Development, LANE4 Property Group's $1 billion project in Southeast Kansas City that will include a soccer-specific stadium for the Kansas City Wizards, visit www.thetrailskc.com. This website includes all the relevant facts and figures on the project, including initial renderings and a preliminary site plan.

Check out the Sporting Kansas City Statistics

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Major League Soccer Stories from December 22, 2008


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