Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update
Published on December 30, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Kansas City Wizards Midfielder Jack Jewsbury Called to U.S. National Team Training Camp
Kansas City Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury was named Tuesday by United States National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley to his first-ever full national team camp. Jewsbury is one of 25 players, based mostly in MLS, that will train ahead of a friendly against Sweden on Jan. 24, 2009 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. The match will be shown live on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision at 3:30 p.m. CT. Players report Jan. 4, and Jewsbury will re-join the Wizards for preseason training after camp concludes Jan. 25.
Jewsbury, 27, experienced a breakout year in 2008, setting new career highs in games played (29), games started (29), minutes played (2,548) and assists (7). He was a vital part of the Wizards plans from the opening day, missing his only match of the year due to a yellow-card accumulation suspension late in the season. Jewsbury started the season on the right wing before playing for a period of time at right back. Once he moved into a central holding midfield role, Kansas City went on a 5-1-1 tear to close the regular season and qualify for the playoffs. Jewsbury then started both playoff matches in the center of the park as the eventual MLS Cup Champion Columbus Crew eliminated the Wizards from the postseason. Kansas City signed Jewsbury to a contract extension late in the 2008 season. Per League and club policy, financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Kansas City drafted Jewsbury in the 5th round (43rd overall) of the 2003 MLS SuperDraft out of St. Louis University. He has played in 138 games (97 starts) for the Wizards since 2003, scoring 12 goals and adding 15 assists. He currently ranks 9th on Kansas City's all-time games played list. He is one of nine players on the U.S. roster without a Career Appearance (CAP). Jewsbury will look to impress Bradley and the rest of the coaching staff ahead of a busy international schedule in 2009.
After the Sweden match, the U.S. will begin the final round of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup when they host regional rivals Mexico on Feb. 11 at Columbus Crew Stadium. In addition to the ten matches in the final round hexagonal, the U.S. will compete in the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June, having been drawn into Group B along with five-time World Cup winners Brazil, current World Champion Italy, and Egypt. Just days after the tournament, the U.S. will begin its defense of the CONCACAF Gold Cup title.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (4): John Busch (Chicago Fire), Will Hesmer (Columbus Crew), Troy Perkins (Valerenga IF), Matt Pickens (out of contract)
DEFENDERS (8): Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Danny Califf (FC Midtjylland), Sean Franklin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Cory Gibbs (Colorado Rapids), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Chris Wingert (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
MIDFIELDERS (9): Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brian Carroll (Columbus Crew), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Jack Jewsbury (Kansas City Wizards), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew), John Thorrington (Chicago Fire)
FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Kenny Cooper (FC Dallas), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Chris Rolfe (Chicago Fire)
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.
Major League Soccer Stories from December 30, 2008
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- Three Fire Players Called Into U.S. National Men's Team - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Midfielder Jack Jewsbury Called to U.S. National Team Training Camp - Sporting Kansas City
- Kenny Cooper Called in to U.S. National Team Camp - FC Dallas
- Rapids Defender Cory Gibbs Called Into U.S. National Team Training Camp - Colorado Rapids
- Real Salt Lake DF Chris Wingert Called into U.S. Men's National Team Camp - Real Salt Lake
- Revolution's Castro called up to Honduras National Team - New England Revolution
- Wynne Off To U.S. Camp in California - Toronto FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
