Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update
Published on March 1, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
WOLFF, MYERS SCORE IN INTRA-SQUAD SCRIMMAGE
The Kansas City Wizards returned to preseason action this week, playing two games against MLS sides in addition to an intra-squad scrimmage this afternoon at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix, Arizona.
Josh Wolff and Chance Myers each scored to help their team to victory in the scrimmage, with each team composed of a mixture of regulars newcomers and trialists.
"The pace and intensity by both teams was very high, with very good attacking soccer played at both ends." Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "Chance (Myers) finished a great goal from 23 yards out and (Josh) Wolff, who was extremely mobile with great movement off the ball, scored a couple."
Last week, the Wizards played to two draws against Chivas USA on Wednesday before falling to the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 on Friday. The team was scheduled to play the Galaxy again on Sunday afternoon, but the game was cancelled due to inclement weather.
The Wizards' games against Chivas were played back-to-back, with each game consisting of two 30-minute periods. Chivas USA opened the scoring in the first game, with Mariano Trujillo finishing off a feed from Michael Lahoud 26 minutes in. The Wizards would strike back in the second period through Josh Wolff, thanks to a good interception in midfield by Ryan Smith and a final ball by Kei Kamara. The team created a rash of chances in the second game, but couldn't find the finishing touch as the match ended scoreless.
Friday's game against the Galaxy was similarly close, with both sides creating chances to score. Ultimately, the game was decided on a Gregg Berhalter penalty kick, awarded after Wizards goalkeeper Eric Kronberg was judged to have brought down Galaxy forward Edson Buddle inside the box in the first half.
With the cancellation of Sunday's game against the Galaxy, the Wizards now have just two preseason contests left before leaving Arizona at the end of the week. The team will play the Columbus Crew on Thursday and local Division II college Grand Canyon University on Sunday, with both games at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in Suburban Phoenix. The Wizards will be able to take their minds off of soccer for a little while this evening, though, as the team will head to US Airways arena to see the Phoenix Suns take on the Denver Nuggets in a crucial NBA Western Conference clash.
For live updates from each of the Wizards' last two games, be sure and check Hillcrest Road, the official team's official blog (www.hillcrestroadblog.com ). Updates will also be available on Twitter via @Hillcrest_Road.
Wizards Preseason Game Schedule:
Date/Time (All Times Central) Opponent Location Result
Saturday, Feb. 6, 8 p.m.
Arizona Sahuaros
Grand Canyon University
Win, 5-0
Wednesday, Feb. 10, 12 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes
Reach 11
Win, 3-0
Saturday, Feb. 13, 12 p.m.
San Jose Earthquakes
Arizona State University
Loss, 1-0
Wednesday, Feb. 24, 12 p.m.
Chivas USA
Reach 11
Tie, 1-1 0-0
Friday, Feb. 26, 12 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Reach 11
Loss, 1-0
Sunday, Feb. 28, 12 p.m.
Los Angeles Galaxy
Arizona State University
Cancelled
Thursday, March 4, 12 p.m.
Columbus Crew
Reach 11
Sunday, March 7, 12 p.m.
Grand Canyon University
Reach 11
The Kansas City Wizards began training in Phoenix, Arizona late last month, signaling the start of a five-week preseason camp to prepare the team for the 2010 MLS season. Nine teams from across Major League Soccer will join the Wizards in the Arizona capital, part of an effort by the organization to create a consistent preseason base for multiple MLS teams.
The Wizards are training at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix, just 30 miles away from the Kansas City Royals' training base in Surprise, Arizona.
Daily training updates, videos and match reports from Phoenix will be available throughout the preseason on www.kcwizards.com and www.hillcrestroadblog.com. Up now are highlights from the Wizards' game against Los Angeles, a "Quick Six" feature with defender Jimmy Conrad and an introduction to newly signed Guadeloupean midfielder Stéphane Auvray.
THREE TRIMMED FROM ROSTER, NIELSEN ARRIVES TOMORROW
The Kansas City Wizards have parted ways with midfielder/defender Lance Watson, midfielder Alexei Casian and defender Shahriar Dastan, the team announced today.
Watson, a second round draft pick by the Wizards in 2006, set career marks for appearances (20) and minutes played last season, in addition to registering his first MLS assist. Casian and Dastan both joined the Wizards on a trial basis this preseason.
The Wizards will be adding a new face to their preseason training camp as well this week, with Danish goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen set to join the Wizards in Arizona tomorrow.
Kansas City Preseason Player List:
Player Pos. Birthdate Hometown College
Korede Aiyegbusi D/M 07/15/1988 London, UK NC State
Davy Arnaud M/F 06/22/1980 Nederland, TX West Texas A&M
Stéphane Auvray M 09/04/1981 Les Abymes, Guadeloupe
Matt Besler DEF 02/11/1987 Overland Park, KS Notre Dame
Teal Bunbury FWD 02/17/1990 Prior Lake, MN Akron
Jimmy Conrad DEF 02/12/1977 Temple City, CA UCLA
Louis Crayton GK 01/26/1977 Monrovia, Liberia
Birahim Diop MID 02/07/1979 Thies, Senegal
Pablo Escobar DEF 02/12/1987 Valle de Cauca, Colombia
Roger Espinoza MID 10/25/1986 Aurora, CO Ohio State
Mauro Fuzetti MID 11/18/1987 Houston, TX Michigan
Michael Harrington D/M 01/24/1986 Greenville, NC North Carolina
Zoltan Hercegfalvi FWD 12/31/1979 Budapest, Hungary
Santiago Hirsig MID 01/12/1978 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Aaron Hohlbein DEF 08/16/1985 Middleton, WI Wisconsin
Jack Jewsbury MID 04/13/1981 Springfield, MO St. Louis
Kei Kamara FWD 09/01/1984 Lawndale, CA CS Dominguez Hills
Igor Kostrov MID 03/08/1987 Moldova
Michael Kraus M/F 09/10/1984 Memphis, TN Creighton
Eric Kronberg GK 06/07/1983 Santa Rosa, CA California
Jonathan LeathersDEF 11/05/1985 Athens, GA Furman
Chance Myers D/M 12/07/1987 Thousand Oaks, CA UCLA
Jimmy Nielsen GK 08/06/1977 Aalborg, Denmark
Boris Pardo GK 03/22/1984 Hillside, NJ Seton Hall
Ryan Smith MID 11/10/1986 London, UK
Josh Wolff FWD 02/25/1977 Stone Mountain, GA South Carolina
Graham Zusi MID 08/18/1986 Longwood, FL Maryland
JUNIORS CAMP REGISTRATION NOW OPEN
The Kansas City Wizards are currently accepting registrations for the 2010 KCW Juniors Camp. This camp is open to all boys (11-16 years old) who are looking to become part of the Juniors program in the future. We are looking for committed players who will thrive in a professional environment. The KCW Juniors compete in the Frontier Division of the U.S. Soccer Development Academy, the highest level of youth club competition in the United States.
All players will be evaluated by KC Wizards Juniors coaching staff and possibly invited back for further training. The cost of this camp will be $125 and it will include a training shirt and a ticket to the home opener on March 27, 2010.
Those interested can register online here, or contact Betsy Pollard at bpollard@kcwizards.com or by phone at (913) 387-3883
WIZARDS HOST 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.
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
Major League Soccer Stories from March 1, 2010
- Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- MLS Roster Compliance Date Delayed - MLS
- Revolution Preps For Another Southern Excursion - New England Revolution
- Kansas City Wizards And KCWE-TV Announce 2010 Television Broadcast Deal - Sporting Kansas City
- Earthquakes Sign Argentine Midfielder Javier Robles - San Jose Earthquakes
- FC Dallas Announces Two Preseason Matches In Tampa, Florida - FC Dallas
- Real Salt Lake And American Express To Honor The "Heroes Among Us" In 2010 - Real Salt Lake
- Christian Castillo Called-Up By El Salvador National Team - D.C. United
- 2010 Revolution Schedule Finalized - MLS
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.
