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Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

April 13, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

The Kansas City Wizards will train Tuesday following Saturday's 1-0 shutout victory over previously undefeated Seattle Sounders FC. Seattle, a 2009 expansion team, had yet to surrender a goal in MLS before Davy Arnaud's long-range strike in the 80th minute Saturday. Seattle was a perfect 3-0-0 entering the match. The Wizards train this week in advance of two upcoming matches on national television. Saturday night's game in Chicago will be broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Fox Sports en Español, while the following contest against the New York Red Bulls will be shown live on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes from CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kansas City's weekly press release will take place Thursday this week at 12:30 p.m. CT.

APRIL 23 MATCH FEATURES JIMMY CONRAD BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY:

In addition to the exciting match-up against the New York Red Bulls, Kansas City's next home game on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. CT will feature plenty of promotional perks surrounding the game itself. The first 5,000 fans into the stadium will receive a Jimmy Conrad bobblehead, and all fans will receive thundersticks, both courtesy of Time Warner Cable. Wizards season ticket holders will also be able to collect their 2009 Kansas City Wizards scarves that were included in each season ticket holder package. To purchase tickets to the match, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or go to www.kcwizards.com.

B2 BOMBER VISITS COMMUNITYAMERICA BALLPARK APRIL 23:

A B2 Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base will fly over the stadium before the game between Kansas City and New York April 23 at 7 p.m. CT. A group of Wizards players and staff members will visit Whiteman this Wednesday to learn more about the plane before next week's flyover. To purchase tickets to the match, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or go to www.kcwizards.com.

FOUR PROFESSIONAL RACERS TO SIGN AUTOGRAPHS BEFORE RED BULL MATCH:

Dan Wheldon and Mario Moraes from the Indy Racing League will be at the game to mingle with fans, and so will Johnny Sauter and Jennifer Jo Cobb from the NASCAR Truck Series. Wheldon (England) and Moraes (Brazil) both grew up in soccer-loving countries with an appreciation for the world's game. All drivers will sign autographs between 5:30 - 6:45 p.m. on the concourse at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. To purchase tickets to the match, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or go to www.kcwizards.com.

MATTHEWS, STARR TO JUDGE ESPN2 SIGN CONTEST:

ESPN2 will broadcast the Red Bulls match on April 23, marking the first ESPN home broadcast since the Wizards moved to CommunityAmerica Ballpark prior to the 2008 season. To celebrate the occasion, local media celebrities Jenny Matthews of Mix 93.3 and Holly Starr of 38 the Spot will judge an ESPN2 sign-making contest. Fans are encouraged to hold up signs for the ESPN2 cameras. Jenny and Holly will pick the best, and the lucky sign-maker will win a seat upgrade courtesy of the Wizards.

HARTMAN TO BE HONORED APRIL 23:

Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman broke the all-time MLS saves record during the first half of the match against the Colorado Rapids March 28. The Kansas City Wizards will honor Hartman Thursday, April 23 before Kansas City's match against the New York Red Bulls for breaking his latest MLS record. Wizards President Robb Heineman and Technical Director Peter Vermes will present Hartman with a display featuring replicas of the jersey and goalkeeper gloves he wore March 28 when his four saves against the Colorado Rapids surpassed the mark of Tony Meola for the all-time MLS lead.

The ceremony was originally scheduled for the April 5 match against San Jose but was postponed due to the poor weather. Hartman presented his game-worn jersey and gloves from March 28 to National Soccer Hall of Fame Director of Museum and Archives Jack Huckel after the match April 5. After Saturday's win over Seattle Sounders FC, Hartman stands on 1142 career stops. Hartman is now the League's all-time leader in wins (140), shutouts (79) and saves.

WIZARDS DEAL SEATTLE FIRST MLS LOSS:

Kansas City handed Seattle Sounders FC the team's first-ever loss in MLS play Saturday. The Wizards shut out Seattle 1-0 on the power of a Davy Arnaud blast and a strong defensive effort. Arnaud connected for his 3rd goal of the season, striking a right-footed shot from over 30 yards out in the 80th minute. Arnaud's goal marked the first ever surrendered by Sounders FC, snapping a 350-minute shutout streak. Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made two saves, including an outstanding effort to save a Brad Evans shot from inside the penalty area. Kansas City now has a 196-minute shutout streak of their own after back-to-back clean sheets.

Through four games of the 2009 season, four of Kansas City's six goals have been scored from outside the 18-yard area. Last season, only two Wizards goals came from outside the penalty area. All three of Davy Arnaud's tallies have been from long-range, plus Michael Kraus' breakaway chance against the Colorado Rapids March 28.

WIZARDS TOUGH ON EXPANSION TEAMS:

With Saturday's win, Kansas City is now 4-1-1 against expansion teams since Head Coach Curt Onalfo took over in 2007. After Arnaud's long-range goal, Kansas City became the first team to ever score against Seattle Sounders FC in MLS play. By scoring at Qwest Field, the Wizards became the first team to score MLS goals on the home fields of both Seattle and Toronto FC. Eddie Johnson scored the first MLS goal at BMO Field, converting a shot in the 81st minute of a 1-0 Kansas City victory on April 28, 2007 in the first-ever match at TFC's home stadium.

THE JIMMY CONRAD SHOW RETURNS WEDNESDAY:

Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad will be back on the radio airwaves Wednesday night offering the latest news and talk from around Major League Soccer. The Jimmy Conrad Show, presented by Budweiser, returns Wednesday night on Sports Radio 810 WHB from 7-8 p.m. CT. The show will be broadcast live from the 810 Zone restaurant in Leawood, Kan. and simulcast online at kcwizards.com.

In 2009, the Wizards will take registrations from fans at each edition of the Jimmy Conrad Show for month-end drawings. Prizes will include Field Side Reserved tickets, a clinic from a Wizards player, a Football/Futbol double-header package and a VIP Meet & Greet session after a training session. Each fan can enter that month's drawing each time they attend The Jimmy Conrad Show.

The Jimmy Conrad Show will be held at different bars throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, and the schedule for future weeks will be released in the coming days. The show will run from 7-8 p.m. CT each week except for a small number of nights when the time will change due to programming conflicts on Sports Radio 810 WHB.

Month Prize April 2 Field Side Reserved tickets to Kansas City Wizards vs. D.C. United May 6

May VIP Meet & Greet session for 10 at a Wizards practice

June 4 Terrace Table tickets to Kansas City Wizards vs. Houston Dynamo July 4

July Youth-team clinic with a Kansas City Wizards player

August Football/Futbol Double-Header package including KU, K-State or MU Football tickets

September 2 Field Side Reserved tickets to Kansas City Wizards vs. Colorado Rapids Sept. 26

October Autographed Wizards jersey and on-field VIP experience at 2009 playoff game

Fans can download archives of The Jimmy Conrad Show from the podcast page at kcwizards.com.

THREE WIZARDS PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN TOUR DE FORKS:

Kansas City Wizards forward Adam Cristman and defenders Jimmy Conrad and Aaron Hohlbein will participate in the 2009 Tour De Forks, an annual fundraiser organized by The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties (Kansas). Participants will join Cristman and Hohlbein in eating at four of Kansas City's finest restaurants, with proceeds benefiting charitable organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for women, children and families within our communities. The event will be held Sunday, May 3, but the registration deadline is April 17. To reserve a place on either tour, call 913-371-6310, e-mail tourdeforks@gmail.com, or visit www.jlwjc.org. Two different tours are available for Tour De Forks on May 3, and each tour takes approximately three to four hours. Motor coach transportation will be provided to each tour stop.

BOULEVARD & BISTRO TOUR

$75 per person

Seatings: 4:30, 5:25, 6:20 P.M.

Park at Grand Street Café, 4047 Grand, Kansas City, Missouri.

First stop: Woodyard BBQ at Boulevard Brewing Company

Second stop: The Capital Grille

Third stop: City Tavern

Fourth stop: Grand Street Café

FOUNTAIN & FREIGHT TOUR

$75 per person

Seatings: 4:50, 5:45, 6:40 P.M.

Park near Vinino, 1320 Grand in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.

First stop: Woodyard BBQ at Boulevard Brewing Company

Second stop: Le Fou Frog

Third stop: M & S Grill

Fourth stop: Vinino

SPANISH-LANGUAGE COACH'S SHOW AIRS THURSDAY ON 1480 AM:

Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo will join Enrique Morales Thursday at 5 p.m. CT for his weekly Spanish-language coach's show on Ke Buena 1480 AM. Spanish-speaking fans are encouraged to listen for a recap of last weekend's 2-0 win against San Jose and a look ahead to Saturday's contest with Seattle Sounders FC.

FIVE WIZARDS LEAD ABILITY CAMP:

Who: Coach Kris Kelderman, M Davy Arnaud, D Matt Besler, D Aaron Hohlbein, M-F Michael Kraus

When: Tuesday, April 14; 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Where: Swope Park Training Facility, Kansas City, MO

What: The Kansas City Wizards are partnering up with the National Sports Center for the Disabled to hold their annual Ability Camp for children in Kansas City. The children will have the opportunity for the to play on the team's fields at Swope and will receive prizes from the players after the clinic.

WIZARDS LEAD CLINICS FOR BROOKSIDE SOCCER CLUB:

Who: Coach Kerry Zavagnin, TBD Players

When: Wednesday, April 15; 5:30-7:00pm

Where: Swope Park Training Facility, Kansas City, MO

What: The players and Coach Zavagnin will participate in a clinic with Brookside Soccer on April 15. The players and coach will organize the clinic of over 80 youth players and their coaches and run drills and scrimmage for over an hour on the soccer fields at Swope Park.

Who: Coach John Pascarella, TBD Players

When: Thursday, April 16; 5:30-7:00pm

Where: Swope Park Training Facility, Kansas City, MO

What: The players and Coach Pascarella will participate in a clinic with Brookside Soccer on April 16. The players and coach will organize the clinic of over 80 youth players and their coaches and run drills and scrimmage for over an hour on the soccer fields at Swope Park.

WIZARDS TO "POP-IN" AT THREE YOUTH PRACTICES:

Who: D Chance Myers

When: Tuesday, April 14; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Blue Springs, MO

What: Kids playing with the Blue Springs Soccer Club will have the opportunity to get pointers from a pro, as Chance Myers will "pop-in" to help with their practice and talk to the children about teamwork.

Who: GK Kevin Hartman

When: Wednesday, April 15; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Blue Springs, MO

What: Kids playing with the Blue Springs Soccer Club will have the opportunity to get pointers from a pro, as Kevin Hartman will "pop-in" to help with their practice and talk to the children about teamwork.

Who: D Jimmy Conrad

When: Thursday, April 16; 6:00-7:30 p.m.

Where: Blue Springs, MO

What: Kids playing with the Blue Springs Soccer Club will have the opportunity to get pointers from a pro, as Jimmy Conrad will "pop-in" to help with their practice and talk to the children about teamwork.

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