Wizards Forward Claudio Lopez Unavailable due to Ankle Injury
Published on October 3, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards (8-10-8, 32 pts) face the Chicago Fire (12-9-5, 41 pts) Sunday at 2:00 p.m. CT in a nationally televised game on TelaFutura, presented by Verizon Wireless. Kansas City comes in with a seven-game home-undefeated streak (5-0-2). The Wizards haven't lost at home since June 14 and have outscored their opponents 11-4 during that stretch, posting four shutouts along the way. The Wizards enter the weekend trailing the New York Red Bulls by three points for 4th place in the East and D.C. United by one point for 5th place. Kansas City is currently two points out of the final playoff spot, trailing two Western-Conference teams for the last at-large playoff position.
The Wizards will be without former Argentina international Claudio Lopez Sunday due to an ankle injury suffered in last week's match-up with Chivas USA. Lopez will be unavailable for both the MLS match and the Reserve Division match that follows. The injury scuttles what would have been the third meeting this year of former Club America teammates Lopez and Cuauhtémoc Blanco of Chicago. The Wizards are 1-0-1 against Chicago this season.
Sunday's game will feature a unique doubleheader, as the Wizards host Chicago in an MLS match at 2 p.m. and the team's reserve squads face off at 4:30 p.m. in an MLS Reserve Division match. The stands will remain open at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for fans wishing to watch the second game, along with some concessions stands. Fans are encouraged to stay and watch Kansas City's reserves battle for the MLS Reserve Division championship. The KCW Reserves are 6-1-2 on the year and currently trail only the Houston Dynamo in the Reserve Division standings.
After the match, several stars will sign autographs as part of a charity event for Nothing But Nets, a foundation created to protect children around the world from Malaria. Wizards captain Jimmy Conrad, goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and striker Josh Wolff will be joined by the Fire's Diego Gutierrez and Brian McBride at the autograph session. A portion of proceeds from a special ticket package will be donated directly to Nothing But Nets.
Sunday's match will mark the final Kansas City appearance of former Wizards player Diego Gutierrez. Gutierrez grew up in nearby Blue Springs and played for Kansas City in 1996 and from 2002-2005. Coincidentally, Gutierrez took part in both of the Wizards major championships. He was a member of the Chicago Fire in 2000 when the Wizards defeated them 1-0 in the MLS Cup final. Gutierrez then played for Kansas City as they defeated Chicago 1-0 for the 2004 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup crown. Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin was a part of both Kansas City championship squads and will suit up against Chicago for the final time in the regular season Sunday.
Major League Soccer Stories from October 3, 2008
- Wizards Forward Claudio Lopez Unavailable due to Ankle Injury - Sporting Kansas City
- Crew's Moreno called up to Venezuelan National Team for World Cup Qualifiers vs. Brazil and Ecuador - Columbus Crew SC
- Chivas USA's Sacha Kljestan named to U.S. National Team roster for Oct. 11 World Cup Qualifier - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Earthquakes Earn a 1-1 Tie Against FC Dallas - San Jose Earthquakes
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