Wizards weekly update
July 14, 2008 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards carry a 2-0-2 record in their last four matches into Thursday's MLS Primetime match-up against the second-place Columbus Crew. Kansas City will visit Crew Stadium for the second time this season when they face Sigi Schmid's team Thursday at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes. Kansas City is 0-2-0 against Columbus in 2008.
Tuesday, July 15
Training 10 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center
Wednesday, July 16 Training 10 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center
Weekly press conference 11:30 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center
Thursday, July 17
Kansas City Wizards at Columbus Crew 7 p.m. CT on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes
Friday, July 20
Travel to Kansas City
Kansas City Wizards Swope Park Training Center 6310 Lewis Road
Kansas City, MO 64132
Google Maps here
Striker Josh Wolff Rejoins Kansas City Wizards; Eligible for Selection Thursday
Forward Josh Wolff has rejoined the club, signing a 4-year contract. Wolff, 31, played 80 games with the Wizards from 2003-2006, scoring 27 goals (T-5th in Wizards history) and tallying 20 assists (7th in Wizards history). Wolff played most recently in 34 games over the last two seasons (2 goals) with 1860 Munich in the German Second Bundesliga and currently has 52 caps and 9 goals for the U.S. National Team. Wolff will be available for selection by Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo Thursday when the team faces Columbus.
The Wizards first obtained Wolff in a trade with the Chicago Fire on January 7, 2003 in exchange for a first round selection (#3 overall) in the 2003 SuperDraft. Wolff played five years with the Fire (1998-2002) before his four-year stint in Kansas City. Wolff won two Team MVP and Golden Boot trophies (2004 and 2005) and played a key part in the 2004 season where the Wizards played in the MLS Cup and won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup championship. The Stone Mountain, Georgia native has played with 11 current Wizards teammates and is set to rejoin the club in the middle of next week and will be able to play in MLS games after the transfer window July 15th.
Overall in Major League Soccer, the two-time all-star (2002 and 2004) has netted 59 goals and garnered 35 assists in 164 games. He has won four championships (two MLS Cups and two U.S. Open Cups), to go along with playing in the 2000 Olympics and 2002 World Cup. The 5'9", 160 pound forward attended the University of South Carolina, where he scored 21 goals and added eight assists helping the Gamecocks to two straight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Vitals:
Josh Wolff Forward Height: 5-9 Weight: 160 Born: February 25, 1977 Hometown: Stone Mountain, GA College: University of South Carolina Last Club: 1860 Munich (Second Bundesliga)
Family: Married to Angela; two sons, Tyler and Owen
Wizards Face Columbus Thursday on MLS Primetime
Kansas City travels to Columbus Thursday for an important Eastern-Conference match-up against the Crew on ESPN 2 and ESPN Deportes. The match kicks off at 7 p.m. CT, as the Wizards look to extend a four-game unbeaten streak that includes home wins over Real Salt Lake and the New York Red Bulls and road ties against Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC.
Kansas City received goals from All-Star defender Jimmy Conrad and midfielder Davy Arnaud last Thursday in a 2-1 win against New York. Arnaud, coming off off-season surgery, scored his first goal of the season and is now up to full speed. Arnaud recorded his first assist of the season in the previous match, a 1-1 tie July 4 at FC Dallas. Designated Player Claudio Lopez recorded assists in each game and now has three goals and three assists on the year. Lopez scored the Wizards lone goal in a 2-1 loss to Columbus May 3.
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the rest of the defense enter Thursday's match as one of the strongest defensive units in MLS. Hartman leads MLS in shutouts (6), ranks 2nd in saves (67) and holds the two longest shutout streaks of the season (293 and 286 minutes). Since the four-man back line of Jack Jewsbury, Aaron Hohlbein, Jimmy Conrad and Michael Harrington was first used four games ago, Kansas City is 2-0-2 and has only allowed two goals.
KCW Reserves to Host New York July 22
The KCW Reserves were initially scheduled to play the New York Red Bull Reserves Friday, July 11, but the game was postponed to accommodate Kansas City's friendly against Mexican partner club Atlas AC. The New York match has been rescheduled for Tuesday, July 22 at 10 a.m. CT at the Wizards Swope Park Training Center and will be open to the public.
The KCW Reserves are 3-1-2 this season in MLS Reserve Division play. Many players that regularly play in reserve matches suited up for last Fridays' 2-1 win against Atlas. Reserve forwards Nelson Pizarro and Michael Kraus scored Kansas City's two goals as the young side displayed an impressive performance in front of more than 7,000 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
Sign-up Today for Wizards Premier Soccer Camps
Specifically for male or female premier players ages 10-16, these camps are designed to go above and beyond what is offered at a standard soccer camp. In addition to first-class training, participants will receive: appearances from Wizards players and/or coaches, a free soccer ball, a free Wizards camp shirt, a Wizards camp gift and a voucher for one free ticket to a Wizards home match.
The focus of the week-long, 3-hour-a-day camp is to expose players to game-orientated training that will improve both their technical skills and their tactical soccer awareness. The emphasis of coaching will be on the mastering of advanced skills, performance under pressure and playing at speed in game-related situations.
The camp curriculum will feature:
- Passing and receiving on the move - Midfield combination play - One v One Defending - Team Defending - Shooting and Volleying - Crossing and Heading - Shooting from distance - Taking on and beating defenders - Daily competitive games
**Goalkeeper coaching will be available at each camp.
At the conclusion of the camp, individual player profiles will be passed on the Wizards coaching staff and player progress will be tracked during league and tournament play and future Wizards camps and training activities. Players may sign up individually or as a team, and will be coached within age and ability groups.
Wizards Premier Camps will take place at the following facilities throughout Kansas City in 2008:
Location Date; time Cost Registration Wizards Swope Park Training Center July 21-25; 9:00-12:00pm $139 Sign up on line
Raytown Soccer Club July 28-Aug 1; 5:30-8:30pm $139 Sign up on line
Challenger Sports
913-232-5166
Wizards@challengersports.com
The Jimmy Conrad Show Canceled This Week; Live from Toronto Next Week
The Jimmy Conrad Show will not take place this week due to the team's travel schedule to Columbus. Conrad and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will host the show live from 2008 Pepsi MLS All-Star festivities Wednesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. CT. Wheelock and Conrad will gather various guests from around MLS participating in the All-Star game next Thursday at BMO Field in Toronto.
Archives of The Jimmy Conrad Show are available online at the Wizards podcast page.
Wizards Weekly Press Conference Moved Due to Travel
The Kansas City Wizards weekly press conference usually held on Thursday afternoon will be moved to Wednesday this week due to travel. The conference will start at 11:30 a.m. CT at the pavilion adjacent to the team's Swope Park Training Center. Head Coach Curt Onalfo and a player will be available to discuss the upcoming match with Columbus. Planet Sub sandwiches and cookies will be provided to all media members who attend. Each Kansas City Wizards practice will still be open to media, and outlets are encouraged to take advantage of the Wizards media policy.
Zona Wizards Airs Live Thursday on La Playa 1480 AM, Time Warner Cable Channel 5
Zona Wizards, the weekly Spanish-language radio and TV show, will air live this Thursday at 2 p.m. on La Playa 1480 AM and Time Warner Cable Channel 5. Hosted by Enrique Morales and Raul Villegas, Zona Wizards will first-year player Nelson Pizarro this week. Pizarro was signed this spring after first being seen by Wizards brass at an open tryout in February. Pizarro scored the first goal and helped create the second in Kansas City's 2-1 victory over Mexican partner club Atlas AC last Friday.
Wizards Weekly to Air Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Wizards Weekly, Kansas City's weekly magazine show covering the Wizards will feature Head Coach Curt Onalfo and a player this week. Metro Sports will air Wizards Weekly three times per week.
Wizards Weekly show times:
Thursday's 9:30 p.m. CT
Friday's 6:30 p.m. CT
Saturday's 11:30 a.m. CT
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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.
