Top Two Scorers in MLS History Square Off as Wizards Face Dallas Burn
Published on May 6, 2003 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards take to the road this weekend to face the Dallas Burn on Saturday, May 10th at Dragon Stadium in Southlake, TX. The match will be the first of two trips the Wizards will make to the temporary home of the Dallas Burn this season. The Burn will play their home games at Dragon Stadium in 2003 and 2004 before moving into their new home in Frisco, TX for the 2005 season.
The Wizards will look to continue their scoring tear this weekend after scoring eight goals through the first four games of the season, which is tops in the league. Kansas City is coming off a 2-2 tie against the Columbus Crew after a come-from-behind effort that saw Eric Quill register the game-tying goal with just one minute left in regulation.
Kansas City will be without the services of defender Jose Luis Burciaga after he was taken off during Saturday's match with a right knee injury. An MRI on Monday revealed a tear in his right ACL, which could sideline the young defender for the rest of the season. The Wizards hope to see the return of forward Josh Wolff and defender Carey Talley who both missed last Saturday's match with injuries.
This week's meeting between Dallas and Kansas City will feature the top two scorers in MLS history in Preki and Jason Kreis. Preki extended his all-time MLS scoring total to 229 points after scoring a PK goal against Columbus. He leads Kreis (222) by seven points on the all-time MLS scoring charts. Jason Kreis will be the key for Dallas if they hope to pick up their first win at home this season. Of the 222 career points Jason Kreis has registered, 31 of those have come against the Wizards, the most points he has scored against any team in MLS. One player that will be missing from the Dallas lineup is midfielder Ronnie O'Brien. O'Brien broke his right leg during a dangerous tackle by D.C. United's Dema Kovalenko this past weekend.
He is scheduled to undergo surgery on Tuesday and will likely miss the rest of the 2003 season. The Burn will also be without midfielder Oscar Pareja, who is still recovering from a knee injury.
Kansas City Travels to Des Moines for Exhibition Match vs. Des Moines Menace on Tuesday, May 6th
The Kansas City Wizards will travel to Des Moines, Iowa on Tuesday, May 6th for an exhibition match at Cara McGrane Stadium. The match will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. CT. The historic exhibition will mark the first ever appearance by a Major League Soccer franchise in the state of Iowa. Tickets for the Des Moines exhibition will be available at the gate.
The exhibition is the fourth of five scheduled exhibitions for the Wizards. Kansas City's next exhibition will take place on Monday, May 19th when they travel to Sedalia, MO to face the Kansas City Brass (PDL) at 5:30 p.m. CT. Tickets for the Sedalia exhibition are available by calling Mid-Missouri Cellular at 660-826-6668.
Klein & Garcia Join U.S. National Team for Friendly Match vs. Mexico May 8th
Wizards midfielder Chris Klein and defender Nick Garcia joined the U.S. National Team on Monday for their first day of training before their May 8th friendly match against Mexico. The match will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. CT from the new Reliant Stadium in Houston, TX and will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and Telemundo.
Both Klein and Garcia have become regular additions to the National Team during 2003. Garcia made his international debut against Canada on January 18th and has appeared in all four National Team matches in 2003, including a start on February 12th at Jamaica. Klein has started all four matches in 2003 and has scored two goals. He has 11 career caps with the National Team.
On Monday, ticket sales for the friendly match topped the 60,000 mark and fewer that fewer than 8,000 tickets remain. Tickets for the biggest soccer game in Houston history, which is being presented by Budweiser and staged in conjunction with Major League Soccer and Houston Texans Entertainment, can be purchased at all Ticketmaster ticket centers throughout Texas by phone at 713-629-3700 and on-line at www.ussoccer.com. Tickets are also available at the Reliant Stadium ticket office.
Jose Luis Burciaga Suffers Torn Right ACL
Kansas City Wizards defender Jose Luis Burciaga suffered a torn right ACL during Saturday's match against Columbus when he challenged forward Jeff Cunningham near the end line. An MRI Monday revealed the tear as well as damage to his lateral meniscus. He will undergo surgery this week in Dallas and his rehabilitation schedule will be determined after the surgery.
The 21-year-old Burciaga suffered a torn ACL in his left knee just prior to the 2002 season, which forced him to miss the entire campaign. He made his return this season in remarkable fashion, earning a spot in the Wizards starting lineup. He had played every minute at left back for the Wizards this season before suffering the injury in the 63rd minute.
Wizards Match on Saturday, August 23rd Moved to Friday, August 22nd
The Kansas City Wizards have announced a change in their schedule for the 2003 season. The Wizards home match scheduled for Saturday, August 23rd against the Colorado Rapids will be moved to Friday, August 22nd and the kickoff will remain at 7:00 p.m. CT.
This Week with the Wizards
Meola and Quill Golf for Charity Benefiting Junior Achievement Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola and midfielder Eric Quill met at Shadow Glen Golf Club on Monday for the 7th Annual Junior Achievement Golf Classic. Junior Achievement is a non-for-profit organization whose purpose is to educate and inspire young people to value free enterprise, business and economics in order to improve the quality of their lives. Money raised at the event will support local programs and area youth.
Gutierrez and ALA at Richardson Elementary School
Wizards midfielder Diego Gutierrez will team up with the American Lung Association for a school assembly at Richardson Elementary School on Wednesday, May 7th, at 1:30 p.m. Gutierrez continues to work in area schools to promote tobacco free lifestyles and instill good health in area youth. For more information on how schools can get involved please call the Wizards Public Relations Department at 816-920-4739.
Over the Weekend Six Wizards Players Put On Clinic for Martha Gooch Pasta Wizards players Josh Wolff, Stephen Armstrong, Chris Brunt, Davy Arnaud, Kevin Friedland and Jack Jewsbury put on a clinic in the Arrowhead Indoor Training Facility on Sunday afternoon. The clinic attracted Martha Gooch Pasta employees and their children. Following the clinic the players signed autographs for all attendees and Papa John's Pizza provided lunch.
Major League Soccer Stories from May 6, 2003
- MetroStars Defender Craig Ziadie Named MLS Player of the Week - Red Bull New York
- FWFK Awards Largest One-Time Pay Out in Foundation History - Chicago Fire FC
- Earthquakes Weekly Update - San Jose Earthquakes
- Rapids Radio Call-In Show Tonight - Colorado Rapids
- Top Two Scorers in MLS History Square Off as Wizards Face Dallas Burn - Sporting Kansas City
- Galaxy in World Peace Cup - LA Galaxy
- D.C. United in the Community - D.C. United
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