MLS Sporting Kansas City

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

Published on January 4, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


THREE WIZARDS BEGIN NATIONAL TEAM CAMPS MONDAY:

Three Kansas City Wizards players have been called to national team camps beginning Monday. Defender Jimmy Conrad and goalkeeper Kevin Hartman have joined Bob Bradley's USA squad at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. starting today, while midfielder Roger Espinoza is the lone MLS representative at Honduras camp that also began today. Honduras will visit the USA Jan. 23 at 8 p.m. CT in a friendly between 2010 FIFA World Cup(tm) finalists broadcast live on Fox Soccer Channel and Galavision.

Defender Jimmy Conrad (27 appearances) enters camp as the player with the 3rd most caps, trailing only Benny Feilhaber and Heath Pearce. Conrad's lone international goal was a game-winning header in a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico Feb. 7, 2007. Conrad played in two matches for the U.S. during the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, suffering a concussion during the first half of a quarterfinal tilt against Panama that forced him to miss the semifinals and final. He was on the game day roster for each of the USA's final two World Cup qualifiers, though he did not see the field in either match. Conrad is looking to make his 2nd World Cup roster after appearing twice during the 2006 competition in Germany.

Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has appeared five times for the USA, most recently in the first two games of 2006. Hartman is 2-0-2 all-time for his country, including a 1.14 goals against average. His 1st career appearance came in 1999. Hartman posted another strong season for the Wizards in 2009, breaking the all-time MLS saves record. He is Major League Soccer's all-time leader in wins (146), shutouts (84) and saves (1,235). He has played every minute of every game for Kansas City since joining the team in 2007.

Midfielder Roger Espinoza burst onto the scene for the Honduras national team in 2009, making his first nine appearances and scoring his first two goals for his birth nation. Espinoza played an important role in helping Honduras take 3rd place in the 2009 UNCAF Nations Cup, scoring the game-winning goal in the tournament's 3rd place match. The tournament qualified Honduras for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, where the United States eventually eliminated Honduras in the semifinals. Espinoza scored his 2nd international goal during the competition, striking in a 4-0 victory over Grenada during group play.

Following the Honduras match, the United States will play third-ranked Netherlands on March 3 in Amsterdam, allowing the U.S. to face one of the top teams in the world prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Kickoff at the Amsterdam ArenA is set for 8:30 p.m. local time (1:30 p.m. CT), and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Galavision. Fans can also follow along on ussoccer.com's MatchTracker.

The U.S. Men's National Team has been drawn into Group C with England, Slovenia and Algeria for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The U.S. will open its sixth consecutive World Cup finals tournament against England on June 12 in Rustenburg, and will follow that game with matches against Slovenia on June 18 in Johannesburg and Algeria on June 23 in Tshwane/Pretoria.

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (4): Kevin Hartman (Kansas City Wizards), Troy Perkins (Valerenga), Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

DEFENDERS (8): Kevin Alston (New England Revolution), Jonathan Bornstein (Chivas USA), Jimmy Conrad (Kansas City Wizards), Omar Gonzalez (Los Angeles Galaxy), Clarence Goodson (IK Start), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew), Heath Pearce (FC Dallas), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

MIDFIELDERS (12): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (=D6rebro), Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo), Brad Evans (Seattle Sounders), Benny Feilhaber (Aarhus), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Jeff Larentowicz (New England Revolution), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Chris Pontius (D.C. United), Robbie Rogers (Columbus Crew)

FORWARDS (6): Justin Braun (Chivas USA), Conor Casey (Colorado Rapids), Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Brandon McDonald (San Jose Earthquakes), Marcus Tracy (Aalborg)

HONDURAS ROSTER BY POSITION

GOALKEEPERS (3): Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Ricardo Canales (Motagua), Donis Escober (Olimpia)

DEFENDERS (8): Mariano Acevedo (Marathon), Emilio Izaguirre (Motagua), Erick Norales (Marathon), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Mauricio Sabillón (Marathon), Carlos Palacios (Real Espana), Osman Chávez (Platense), Bonieck García (Olimpia)

MIDFIELDERS (6): Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards), Walter Martínez (Marathon), Jerry Palacios (Marathon), Danilo Turcios (Olimpia), Melvin Valladares (Real Espana), Amado Guevara (Motagua)

FORWARDS (2): Georgie Welcome (Motagua), Carlos Pavón (Real Espana)

KANSAS CITY ENTERS TOP 5 MONDAY AMONG CITIES VYING TO TAKE PART IN USA BID TO FIFA:

Kansas City entered the top 5 Monday among 27 cities still in the running to be part of the USA Bid Committee's effort to bring the FIFA World Cup to the United States in 2018 or 2022. Kansas City surpassed Indianapolis during the day, now trailing only Seattle, Atlanta, Houston and Philadelphia, respectively. The petition began in fall of 2009 to allow American to show their preference for which cities should host World Cup matches should the USA's bid be successful. Kansas City has been well supported throughout the process and has been in the top 10 since November. Soccer enthusiasts can show their support by visiting www.goUSAbid.com/kc and signing the petition. In total, nearly 300,000 Americans have registered their support for bringing the FIFA World Cup(tm) to this country.

CURRENT TOP 10*

1. Seattle 19,112

2. Atlanta 14,733

3. Houston 12,961

4. Philadelphia 10,763

5. Kansas City 10,636

6. Indianapolis 10,627

7. Miami 10,474

8. Tampa Bay 7,783

9. Dallas 7,693

10. Cleveland 7,580

*as of 7:20 p.m. CT Monday

JIMMY CONRAD NAMED MLS DEFENDER OF THE DECADE:

Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad has been named MLS Defender of the Decade by AOL Fanhouse. In a story published on New Year's Eve, Fanhouse's Brian Straus named Conrad his outstanding MLS Defender of the decade for his play with the San Jose Earthquakes and Kansas City Wizards. Read his full recap of the 2000's in American soccer here.

WIZARDS ANNOUNCE 2010 OPEN TRYOUTS:

The Kansas City Wizards will hold its 3rd annual open tryouts from March 13-14, 2010. The tryout cost is $200, and players can sign up and get all the information on the tryouts by visiting www.kcwizards.com/opentryout. Any additional questions can be sent to tryouts@kcwizards.com.

"The last two years we have been pleased with the number of talented players who have taken part in our open tryouts," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "We are always looking to improve our roster, and these tryouts give us a chance to get a look at players who might be trying to take a less conventional route to MLS."

Participants will take part in scrimmages 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.

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. Another 200 participants took part in the tryouts in 2009. Numerous talented participants stood out, and five of the open tryout players were invited back during the season to train with the Wizards.

2010 SEASON-TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE:

The Kansas City Wizards are now accepting renewals from current season ticket holders and new season ticket deposits for the 2010 Major League Soccer season. The Wizards will begin the 2010 campaign with a home match on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. CT against D.C. United at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kansas City, a charter member of Major League Soccer, will play its 15th season in 2010.

Fans who renew their season tickets or purchase new season-ticket packages will retain an early priority number that will determine seat locations in Kansas City's new stadium. To renew season tickets or place a deposit for new season tickets, call the Wizards locally at 913-387-3400, toll-free at 1-888-4KC-GOAL or visit www.kcwizards.com.

Prices for the 2010 Kansas City Wizards season at CommunityAmerica Ballpark will remain unchanged, with the exception of some premium seating sections. Season tickets start at just $180 for an 18-game schedule that includes 15 regular-season MLS contests and three "Special Game" tickets. The Wizards will offer FREE parking for all matches at CommunityAmerica Ballpark again in 2010.

After the season opener, the Wizards will travel to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The full 2010 MLS schedule will be announced in January of next year, and Kansas City's broadcast schedule will be announced leading up to the start of the 2010 campaign.

2010 Season Ticket Prices

Seating Category

Full-Season Rate

Per-Game Rate

Gate Price

Field Side Reserved

$1,800

$100

$120

Terrace Table (4 Seats)

$3,600

$50

$60

Stadium Reserved

$396

$22

$25

Bleacher Reserved

$324

$18

$20

Cauldron

$252

$14

$20

Grass Berm/General Admission

$180

$10

$15

WIZARDS INTRODUCE NEW TOLL-FREE NUMBER:

Wizards fans across the country now have a new toll-free number to reach their favorite club. Fans calling from out of town can reach the Wizards at 888-4KC-GOAL. This number will ring directly into the Wizards offices, and is the best number for fans to dial for ticket purchases or for any organizational questions. Fans locally can still reach the Wizards by calling (913) 387-3400.

FOLLOW THE WIZARDS JUNIORS ON THEIR NEW BLOG:

The KCW Juniors are now part of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, and fans can follow the teams on their new blog: www.kcwjuniors.blogspot.com The blog is frequently updated, and features recaps of all the games for the U-14, U-16 and U-18 teams. Fans can also still follow the Juniors on the Wizards official team blog www.hillcrestroadblog.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from January 4, 2010


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