MLS Sporting Kansas City

Wizards Return Home To Face League-Leading Los Angeles Galaxy

Published on April 23, 2010 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


The Kansas City Wizards will host the red-hot Los Angeles Galaxy tomorrow at CommunityAmerica Ballpark at 7:30 p.m. CT. The first 5,000 fans to step through the gates will receive a free 2010 Wizards team poster, courtesy of Sprint.

The matchup will be a battle at the top of the MLS standings, as Los Angeles sits in first place in MLS' Western Conference with 12 points from four games, while the Wizards place second in the East with six points from three games. The two teams are also tied for MLS' best defensive record, with both having conceded only one goal in League play thus far.

The Kansas City Wizards got off to a hot start in their first two games of the season, defeating D.C. United and the Colorado Rapids by a combined margin of 5-0 to kick-start their campaign. The team lost 1-0 in their first away game of the season at Seattle last week, despite controlling possession for a majority of the game, out-shooting the Sounders and holding a 9-2 advantage on corner kicks.

Midfielders Ryan Smith and Stéphane Auvray and forward Kei Kamara have been early revelations this season for the Wizards. Auvray has provided a physical presence deep in midfield, while Smith has contributed a goal and two assists in his first three MLS games. Kamara has two game-winning goals so far this year, second most in Major League Soccer.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen has been another bright spot for the Wizards. Since arriving from Danish club Vejle in the offseason, Nielsen and the Wizards defensive corps have only given up one goal, tied for the fewest in the league.

The Galaxy have also been making waves with their defensive record, having conceded their first and only goal through four games of the season in last week's 2-1 win over defending MLS Cup Champions Real Salt Lake. Even more impressive is that goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts hasn't been kept especially busy; the netminder has faced only six shots so far this season.

Though U.S. National Team star Landon Donovan may be the biggest name on the Galaxy squad, it's forward Edson Buddle that has grabbed all the headlines thus far. The 28-year-old striker is the first player in MLS history to score each of his team's first seven goals to start the regular season.

Fans are encouraged to bring their friends out to CommunityAmerica Ballpark to watch the Kansas City Wizards try to beat L.A. in a match-up of two of the top teams in MLS. Tickets start at just $15, and are available by calling 913-387-3400 or visiting www.ticketmaster.com/kcwizards.

Fast Facts:

- The Wizards hold a 12-8-3 all-time regular season home record against the Galaxy, with a 16-21-9 record overall between the sides.

- The teams played each other twice last year, with both games ending in a 1-1 draw.

- In last year's game at CommunityAmerica ballpark, former Wizards Claudio Lopez scored one of the most memorable goals in the history of the organization, a 60-yard bomb from midfield that floated over Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and in to the back of the net.

- Forward Josh Wolff has enjoyed more scoring success against the Los Angeles Galaxy than anyone else on the Wizards roster. In 19 career appearances against the Galaxy, Wolff has scored seven goals and added two assists.

- Midfielder Davy Arnaud ranks 5th in MLS in shots on goal, with six through three games.

- Midfielder Jack Jewsbury leads the Wizards in fouls suffered with eight in three games, good for 10th in MLS.

- Goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen sits second in the League in saves percentage, stopping 87.5% of shots directed at him. Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts leads the league with a 92.0% saves rate.

Game Notes:

WHEN LAST THEY MET... | The Wizards and the Galaxy fought to a 1-1 draw in both of their meetings in 2009. The last one came in a nationally-televised game at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on July 25th, 2009.

KANSAS CITY CONNECTIONS | Defender Chris Klein played for Kansas City for the first seven years of his career from 1998-2005. A fan favorite among the Wizards faithful, Klein appeared 200 times with the team, scoring 39 goals and notching 45 assists in MLS play. Klein won the 2000 MLS Supporters' Shield and the 2000 MLS Cup with Kansas City, and was a prominent member of the 2004 Kansas City team that won the U.S. Open Cup and appeared in the 2004 MLS Cup Final.

Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena provided color commentary for Wizards broadcasts during a portion of the 2008 season.

Kansas City Assistant Coach Octavio Zambrano served as the head coach of the Los Angeles Galaxy from 1997-1999. Zambrano's 1998 Galaxy squad remains the best offensive team in MLS history. The team scored 85 goals in 32 games, an average of 2.66 goals per game.

MR. 250 | With his start against Seattle last weekend, Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad moved into a tie (along with Houston Dynamo defender Richard Mulrooney) for 10th most MLS appearances amongst active players. The start was also Conrad's 180th for the Wizards, good for 5th in Wizards history. Other players in the top 5: Kerry Zavagnin (228 starts), Nick Garcia (224 starts), Preki (199 starts) and Chris Klein (183 starts).

A DANE GOOD START | Michael Fucito's stoppage time goal in last week's game ended Wizards goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen's shutout streak at an even 270 minutes. For a goalkeeper, the streak is the 10th longest in team history, and the time spent without conceding a goal to start the season ranks 8th in team history. Nielsen's shutout streak is also the second longest to begin an MLS career, with only Kasey Keller having gone longer.

HELLO, PABLO | Wizards defender Pablo Escobar made his Major League Soccer debut last week against the Sounders, going the full 90 in central defense alongside Jimmy Conrad, and then Matt Besler after Conrad was subbed out with an injury. The Colombian recorded two shots, tied for most on the Wizards in the game along with Davy Arnaud.

Wizards continue the 2010 MLS Season on Saturday, April 24th when they take on the Los Angeles Galaxy at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Individual tickets are available for that and every other home game for the 2010 season by visiting www.ticketmaster.com/kcwizards or by calling (800) 745-3000. Tickets start at just $15 per game.

The Wizards are currently taking orders for new season tickets. Season tickets are discounted up to 33% off the face value price and start at only $160 for 16 games. Fans purchasing new season-ticket packages will retain an early priority number that will determine seat locations in Kansas City's new stadium, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2011. Season ticketholders also get preferred parking at all Wizards home games, access to Wizards VIP events, merchandise discounts and much more. To purchase season tickets, call the Wizards locally at 888-4KC-GOAL or 913-387-3400 or visit www.kcwizards.com.

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Major League Soccer Stories from April 23, 2010


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