MLS Sporting Kansas City

KC Wizards Weekly Update

Published on July 24, 2006 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


Wizards & Revs This Saturday

The Wizards return home this weekend to host the New England Revolution this Saturday, July 29th. Originally scheduled to be played last Wednesday, July 19th, the game was changed in April to this weekend. Kickoff for the match at Arrowhead Stadium this weekend remains at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Revs currently occupy the number two spot in the Eastern Conference standings with 25 points, just five points ahead of Kansas City who currently sits in fifth in the East with 20 points. Since the match was first scheduled to take place on a Wednesday night and then moved to a Saturday night, the Wizards will still be offering their always popular $1 Wednesday promotion for the game. Thanks to Johnsonville, Mrs. Bairds and Edy's, the Wizards will be offering $1 hot dogs and $1 Nestle Ice Cream bars at the Arrowhead Stadium concession stands this Saturday. Fans who already have tickets that say July 19th on them will be able to use those tickets for direct admission to this Saturday's match.

Mixed Emotions

Former assistant coach Brian Bliss made his debut as the Wizards' head coach in New York this past weekend. Although they did not get the result they wanted, suffering a 1-0 loss at Giants Stadium, the Bliss-led Wizards controlled the possession for most of the match, outshooting the Red Bulls 18-15 and posting a 13-3 advantage in corner kicks. The luck just wasn't on Kansas City's side as they had a number of quality scoring opportunities just graze the top of the goal, hit the cross bar, deflect off defenders, or cleared off the line after they got past the goalkeeper. The luck did roll the way of the Wizards' reserve team as they routed New York 3-0 in a match played a short time after the full-sided match. Following an own goal by the Red Bulls, Ryan McMahen and Ryan Pore each netted goals to strengthen the reserves hold on first place with 18 points (6-2-0). The goal was Pore's sixth in reserve play this season, tying him for the lead in the Reserve Division.

Wizards About Town

A pair of Wizards will be appearing about town this week at a couple of local Fazoli's locations. On Tuesday, July 25th, defender Shavar Thomas will be at the Fazoli's in Olathe at the corner of 135th and Black Bob from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi will be at the Fazoli's at 119th and Metcalf in Overland Park on Wednesday, July 26th from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

A Dog Gone Good Time

The Wizards will be hosting a special night for their four-legged fans on Saturday, August 12th, when they host their first-ever "Dogs Night Out" at Arrowhead Stadium for their match against the Columbus Crew. Fans attending the game will be able to purchase a ticket package that will allow them to bring their dogs inside of Arrowhead and sit in a special "Dogs Night Out" seating section. Before the game, dogs and their owners can participate in Doggie Street where there will be vendor booths and fun activities for both dog and owner. Ticket packages begin at $20 and all dogs in attendance will receive a free doggie bag. There will also be prizes awarded for the best Wizards themed dog outfit. Large watering stations will be provided and a portion of the proceeds generated from this event will be donated to The KC Pet Program. To register your dog and/or receive more information on the event visit www.kcwizards.com.

'Wizard' vs. Chelsea

Jimmy Conrad will be heading to his third consecutive Major League Soccer All-Star game next Saturday, August 5th to take on English Premier League Champion Chelsea FC at Chicago's Toyota Park. Named to the First XI, signifying him as one of the top four vote-getters amongst the league's defenders, Conrad received the second most votes of any other player in MLS. Fans can catch Conrad and his MLS teammates take on Chelsea next Saturday live on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. CT. Also in attendance will be Wizards defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. who will be making appearances on behalf of Major League Soccer during the event-filled weekend.

U.S. Open Cup 4th Round: Next Wednesday

Conrad will get one more chance to get acclimated to the Fire's new Toyota Park before the All-Star game when the Wizards embark on their second leg of the 2006 U.S. Open Cup next Wednesday, August 2nd. Following its 2-1 victory over the Des Moines Menace in the third round to open play in the Cup, Kansas City drew the Chicago Fire as their fourth round opponent. The two MLS sides will battle it out on August 2nd at Toyota Park to earn the right to play either the New England Revolution or Rochester Raging Rhinos of the USL First Division. Should the Wizards advance with a win at Chicago next week, on August 23rd they will travel to either Ludlow, Massachusetts to take on the Revs, or Paetec Park in Rochester, New York to take on the Rhinos in the quarterfinals. Winner of the prestigious Dewar Trophy in 2004, Kansas City is 8-3 in Open Cup competition since 2002.

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Major League Soccer Stories from July 24, 2006


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