Wizards Weekly Update
Published on April 6, 2009 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
Kansas City players will be off Tuesday following Sunday's 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Players will take part in a regeneration session Monday afternoon followed by a Reserve match against UMKC at 2:30 p.m. CT. Practice will resume Wednesday before Kansas City hosts the week's press conference featuring Head Coach Curt Onalfo Thursday at the team's Swope Park Training Center.
Date Time Location
Tuesday, April 7 OFF
Wednesday, April 8 10 a.m. CT Swope Park Training Center
Thursday, April 9 10 a.m. CT Swope Park Training Center (Press Conference 12 p.m. CT)
Friday, April 10 10 a.m. CT Swope Park Training Center
Saturday, April 11 9:30 p.m. CT Qwest Field - Kansas City at Seattle Sounders FC
BESLER, HIRSIG MAKE 1ST MLS STARTS:
Local rookie defender Matt Besler and Argentine midfielder Santiago Hirsig each made their first MLS starts in Sunday's 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes. Besler, a rookie out of Notre Dame, started at left back for the injured Michael Harrington. Hirsig assumed a starting role in central midfield after entering the first two games of the 2009 season a substitute while regaining his fitness. Hirsig signed in the off-season after 10 seasons in the Argentine First Division, most recently with powerhouse San Lorenzo. Besler grew up a Wizards fan and was a standout at Blue Valley West High School before attending Notre Dame. Both players went 90 minutes Sunday and were keys to Kansas City's stout defensive effort.
ARNAUD PASSES JOHNSTON ON WIZARDS ASSIST LIST:
With a secondary assist on Claudio Lopez's second-half goal Sunday, midfielder Davy Arnaud broke a tie with Mo Johnston for 3rd place on Kansas City's all-time assists list. Arnaud now has 29 career assists, all in a Wizards uniform. Arnaud now trails only Preki and Chris Klein atop the team's helper list.
APRIL 23 MATCH FULL OF PERKS:
In addition to the exciting match-up against the New York Red Bulls, Kansas City's next home game on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m. CT will feature plenty of promotional perks surrounding the game itself. The first 5,000 fans into the stadium will receive a Jimmy Conrad bobble head, and all fans will receive thunder sticks, both courtesy of Time Warner Cable. A B2 Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base will fly over the stadium before the match. Dan Wheldon and Mario Moraes from the Indy Racing League will be at the game to mingle with fans, and so will Johnny Sauter and Jennifer Jo Cobb from the NASCAR Truck Series.
ESPN2 will broadcast the match, marking the first ESPN home broadcast since the Wizards moved to CommunityAmerica Ballpark prior to the 2008 season. To celebrate the occasion, local media celebrities Jenny Matthews of Mix 93.3 and Holly Starr of 38 the Spot will judge an ESPN2 sign-making contest. Fans are encouraged to hold up signs for the ESPN2 cameras. Jenny and Holly will pick the best, and the lucky sign-maker will win a seat upgrade courtesy of the Wizards.
Wizards season ticket holders will also be able to collect their 2009 Kansas City Wizards scarves that were included in each season ticket holder package.
HARTMAN TO BE HONORED APRIL 23:
Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman broke the all-time MLS saves record during the first half of the match against the Colorado Rapids March 28. The Kansas City Wizards will honor Hartman Thursday, April 23 before Kansas City's match against the New York Red Bulls for breaking his latest MLS record. Wizards President Robb Heineman and Technical Director Peter Vermes will present Hartman with a display featuring replicas of the jersey and goalkeeper gloves he wore March 28 when his four saves against the Colorado Rapids surpassed the mark of Tony Meola for the all-time MLS lead.
The ceremony was originally scheduled for Sunday's match against San Jose but was postponed due to the poor weather. Hartman presented his game-worn jersey and gloves from March 28 to National Soccer Hall of Fame Director of Museum and Archives Jack Huckel after Sunday's game. Hartman now stands on 1140 career stops after making one save in the shutout victory Sunday. Hartman is now the League's all-time leader in wins (139), shutouts (78) and saves.
THREE WIZARDS PLAYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN TOUR DE FORKS:
Kansas City Wizards forward Adam Cristman and defenders Jimmy Conrad and Aaron Hohlbein will participate in the 2009 Tour De Forks, an annual fundraiser organized by The Junior League of Wyandotte and Johnson Counties (Kansas). Participants will join Cristman and Hohlbein in eating at four of Kansas City's finest restaurants, with proceeds benefiting charitable organizations that focus on improving the quality of life for women, children and families within our communities. The event will be held Sunday, May 3, but the registration deadline is April 17. To reserve a place on either tour, call 913-371-6310, e-mail tourdeforks@gmail.com, or visit www.jlwjc.org. Two different tours are available for Tour De Forks on May 3, and each tour takes approximately three to four hours. Motor coach transportation will be provided to each tour stop.
BOULEVARD & BISTRO TOUR
$75 per person
Seatings: 4:30, 5:25, 6:20 P.M.
Park at Grand Street Café, 4047 Grand, Kansas City, Missouri.
First stop: Woodyard BBQ at Boulevard Brewing Company
Second stop: The Capital Grille
Third stop: City Tavern
Fourth stop: Grand Street Café
FOUNTAIN & FREIGHT TOUR
$75 per person
Seatings: 4:50, 5:45, 6:40 P.M.
Park near Vinino, 1320 Grand in downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
First stop: Woodyard BBQ at Boulevard Brewing Company
Second stop: Le Fou Frog
Third stop: M & S Grill
Fourth stop: Vinino
SPANISH-LANGUAGE COACH'S SHOW AIRS THURSDAY ON 1480 AM:
Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo will join Enrique Morales Thursday at 5 p.m. CT for his weekly Spanish-language coach's show on Ke Buena 1480 AM. Spanish-speaking fans are encouraged to listen for a recap of last weekend's 2-0 win against San Jose and a look ahead to Saturday's contest with Seattle Sounders FC.
DYNAMO TAKES PART IN GREATER KANSAS CITY DAY:
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Friday, April 10; 6:00-8:30 a.m.
Where: Kansas City, MO
What: Kansas City Wizards mascot Dynamo will be participating in Greater Kansas City Day, with honorary chairs Cliff Illig and George Brett. He will be riding on one of the trolleys and supporting the cause. Keep an eye out for him as he travels around town.
Major League Soccer Stories from April 6, 2009
- Seattle Sounders FC News & Notes - Seattle Sounders FC
- Earthquakes Weekly Update - San Jose Earthquakes
- Rapids Conor Casey Wins MLS Player of the Week Award - Colorado Rapids
- The Pitch: MLS Weekly - MLS
- Chicago Fire Weekly Notes - Chicago Fire FC
- Seattle Sounders FC Announce Saturday's Match Sold Out - Seattle Sounders FC
- Fire Sign Goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Weekly Update - Sporting Kansas City
- Finalists to Convene In Los Angeles This Week for the National Finals of SUEÃO MLS 2009 - MLS
- New York Red Bulls Weekly Update - New York Red Bulls
- Undefeated Revs off this weekend - New England Revolution
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.
