KC Wizards Weekly Update
Published on June 21, 2006 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
Time For The Payback
The Kansas City Wizards have their best chance to help their own cause in pursuit of an Eastern Conference Championship this Saturday, June 24th, when they travel to conference leader D.C. United. In fact, the Wizards square off against United twice over the course of the next week-and-a-half, following this weekend's contest at RFK, the two teams head back to Kansas City to close out their season series at Arrowhead Stadium on Wednesday, June 28th. Currently second in the East with 20 points and a 6-4-2 record, the Wizards have the potential to regain first place in the East, or at least a share of it, when the dust settles in Arrowhead next Wednesday. United currently sits six points ahead of Kansas City in the standings and pair of wins against the Black and Red could vault the Wizards back to the number one spot before the end of June. D.C. could put that possibility out of reach prior to this weekend's match as it plays a midweek game this Wednesday vs. the Chicago Fire. Kansas City and D.C. have already met twice this season with the team from the nation's capitol capturing both games. Playing their first game without their three teammates who are currently playing for the United States in the World Cup, the Wizards suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat in D.C. on May 13th. Two weeks later, Kansas City fell 3-1 to United at Arrowhead, marking the first, and last time, the Wizards have allowed three goals in a game this season. Kickoff for the June 24th match in D.C. will be at 6:30 p.m. CST and can be seen on MLS's Direct Kick package. The series finale will start at 7:30 p.m. in Arrowhead Stadium on the 28th.
Watch The U.S. Go For Glory At Arrowhead
The United States World Cup team is hoping that the third time is the charm when it faces Ghana this Thursday, June 22nd at 9:00 a.m. in its final game of Group E play. Entering Thursday's final group games, the second of two spots to advance to the Round of 16 is still up in the air. Should the United States, with Wizards players Jimmy Conrad, Eddie Johnson, and Josh Wolff, beat Ghana and current group leader Italy beat the Czech Republic, the Red, White & Blue will advance to the knock out rounds for the second straight World Cup. There are a number of other scenarios that would allow the U.S. to advance, be sure to check back fifaworldcup.com for all of the details. Fans can catch the U.S./Ghana match and cheer on their countrymen at the Wizards' Official adidas World Cup Watch Party at the Arrowhead Pavilion. The Wizards' watch parties have seen great support in their first two installments on June 12th and 17th with over 1,000 fans in attendance. The Wizards will also be showing the Italy/Czech Republic game on select TV's in the venue to keep fans appraised of America's chances at advancing. The DA Show on 610 Sports will be broadcasting live at the watch party from 6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., with doors at the Arrowhead Pavilion opening at 8:30 a.m. Mix 93.3 FM will also be broadcasting live from the Pavilion starting at 8:00 a.m. Breakfast items will be served at a reasonable price courtesy of Fazoli's.
Jewsbury Signs New Contract
Kansas City Wizards General Manager Curt Johnson announced this week that fourth-year player Jack Jewsbury has signed a new contract with Major League Soccer. Jewsbury joined the Wizards in 2003 after being selected in the fifth round of the MLS Superdraft out of St. Louis University. Jewsbury has appeared in 62 matches over the course of the past three seasons and is currently tied for the team-lead with two game-winning assists this season. Per MLS policy, terms and conditions of the contract cannot be disclosed.
Wizards' Budweiser Official Watch Party Network
With Kansas City returning to the airwaves this weekend when it takes on D.C. United, so does the Wizards' Official Watch Party Network sponsored by Budweiser. Fans can gather with each other to root on their team at one of the Wizards' Official Watch Party Network sites, Aces & 8's in Shawnee, the 810 Zone in Leawood, a pair of Paddy O'Quigley's in Lee's Summit, and Buffalo Wild Wings in Raytown, the site of this week's featured watch party. Fans attending the Buffalo Wild Wings watch party this weekend will receive discounts on drinks and appetizers and there will be drawings for various Wizards' prizes.
High School All-Star Border Showdown
The Wizards will be hosting the annual Kansas/Missouri High School All-Star soccer game(s) at Arrowhead Stadium prior to their match against D.C. United on Wednesday, June 28th. The boys' game will kick off at 4:30 p.m. and the girls' game will commence at 5:30 p.m. The best high school soccer players in the Metro area will be present and play games comprised of a pair of 25-minute halves with a 5-minute halftime. Tickets to the High School All-Star Game sponsored by Sports City KC are available for purchase by contacting the Wizards' Zach Reiger at 816-920-4744. Both the boys and girls teams will partake in practices sponsored by Red Bull prior to the 28th.
Major League Soccer Stories from June 21, 2006
- Colorado remains in third place in the Western Conference - Colorado Rapids
- Revs and Crew draw 1-1 after Columbus scores late equalizer - New England Revolution
- FC Barcelona Representative visits Houston - Houston Dynamo FC
- KC Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- ESPN to have camera at Crew Stadium tomorrow for U.S.-Ghana match - Columbus Crew SC
- D.C. United's Jaime Moreno earns 'Goal of the Week' - D.C. United
- Red Bull New York to Show Advance Viewing of "Once in a Lifetime" on June 28 - New York Red Bulls
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.
