Credential Applications for Match September 27 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy Now Available
Credentials for the September 27 match against the Los Angeles Galaxy are now available. All regularly credentialed members of the Kansas City media are free to enter with their standard, all-season pass. Other media members interested in single-game credentials should contact Public Relations Manager Sarah Hardy via email at shardy@kcwizards.com from a business email address to secure a credential for the game.
Wizards, Chiefs, Ali Kemp Foundation Join to Offer Girls Self Defense program
The Kansas City Wizards, Kansas City Chiefs and The Ali Kemp Educational (T.A.K.E.) Foundation will be hosting a FREE self-defense training session for women and girls older than 12 this Thursday, September 13.
The event will take place at the Kansas City Chiefs indoor practice facility, with the program running from 6-8 p.m. Registration will begin at 5 p.m.
Sign-ups are available immediately online at www.kcwizards.com/takedefense.
Participants in the two-hour training session will receive one (1) free ticket to the Kansas City Wizards home match against the Columbus Crew on Saturday, September 15 at 7 p.m. CT. Additional tickets to the match may be purchased through the program at $15, of which $5 will be donated directly to T.A.K.E. Foundation. The American Royal has generously donated a free ticket for each participant to their "Women's Ranch Rodeo" to be held on Saturday, October 27, beginning at 11 a.m.
Mothers and daughters, women and girls are encouraged to sign up with a partner in order to get the most out of the event. Class size is limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. For more information about the program or T.A.K.E. Foundation, visit www.takedefense.org.
Kansas City Wizards Host Columbus Crew on Faith and Family Night Saturday
After their third and final bye week, the Kansas City Wizards (9-9-6, 33 pts) host Eastern Conference rival Columbus Crew (6-8-10, 28 pts) Saturday at 7 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium on Faith and Family Night. The match-up is an important one for the MLS playoff picture, as the Crew tries to make up ground on the Wizards who currently occupy the 7th overall seed and the 4th seed in the East. Columbus is currently just one point back of the Chicago Fire for the 8th and final spot in the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Before the match, the Wizards will host Christian bands One Way Caravan and Catalyst and Jason Gant (Dir. of Youth Ministries, Church of the Resurrection) will provide a motivational message outside the stadium. Groups from area churches are encouraged to attend. Contact Logan Smith at 913-387-3411 or lsmith@kcwizards.com for details.
With an appearance in the match, defender Nick Garcia will surpass former Wizards playmaker Preki for the most appearances in team history. Currently, the pair are tied with 218 appearances for the Wizards. Garcia will be recognized before the match in anticipation of his breaking the record with a start Saturday.
Michael Kraus, Boris Pardo to Appear at Church of the Resurrection's RezLife Wednesday
Who: D Michael Kraus, GK Boris Pardo
When: Wednesday, September 12; 6:30-8:00 p.m.
Where: Church of the Resurrection, 13720 Roe, Leawood, KS
What: Join Kansas City Wizards players Michael Kraus and Boris Pardo at Church of the Resurrection's RezLife. The players will be hanging out with members, climbing the rock wall, playing video games, and competing in various activities.
Kansas City Wizards, 610 Sports Partner for M&I Bank WizWagon Promotion
The Kansas City Wizards and local sports radio station 610 Sports are teaming up for an exciting before-during-and-after promotion for this Saturday's match against the Columbus Crew. Tickets for the promotion will be available this week on the DA show.
Beginning at 5:30 p.m., participants may arrive at The Brooksider (6330 Brookside Plaza) for Wizards drink specials. At 6:30 p.m., participants will leave The Brooksider for Arrowhead Stadium via the M&I Bank WizWagon, provided by KC Party Bus. The bus will take a limited number of fans to the 7 p.m. match, with spots up for grabs all this week on the DA show, mornings from 6 - 9 a.m.
The M&I Bank WizWagon will then take all guests back to The Brooksider to cap off the exciting evening. Space is limited, so listen each morning to DA for all your sports talk, and call in to be a part of the event.
Davy Arnaud, Eddie Johnson Appeared Sunday for U.S. National Team Against Brazil
Wizards forward Eddie Johnson and midfielder Davy Arnaud played Sunday as second-half substitutes in a 4-2 loss to 2007 Copa America champions and five-time World Champions Brazil. Both players represented the Wizards well, as Arnaud made his first career appearance for the Red, White and Blue and Johnson contributed for the United States' second goal.
Johnson entered for former Wizards forward Josh Wolff in the 70th minute, and played a ball to Landon Donovan that eventually lead to an equalizing goal in the 73rd minute.
Arnaud entered for Heath Pearce in the 86th minute, playing right midfield in a reconfigured lineup. Arnaud immediately ran at the Brazil defense, winning a corner kick less than one minute after entering and later clearing a Brazil shot off the U.S. goal line with a great diving header.
The Wizards and Fulham FC (Clint Dempsey and Carlos Bocanegra) were the only clubs worldwide to have more than one player appear for the Bob Bradley's side Sunday. Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin was also available for Bradley and was preparing to enter if the game was still tied in the 65th minute. Brazil, however, scored in the 53rd. The Wizards were the only club to have three players on the active roster.
Defender Nick Garcia Assisted With Camp for Area Youths Sunday at Swope Park
Defender Nick Garcia appeared Sunday at a youth soccer clinic presented by Verizon Wireless, a personal sponsor of Garcia's, outside the Wizards training center at Swope Park. Just over 100 mostly Hispanic children ages 4-16 participated in the 2-hour clinic that was led by local soccer players and coaches, providing soccer instruction in a fun environment.
Former Mexican international Marcelino Bernal was also present, speaking to the players and their parents in Spanish about the importance of soccer in his life and how he went about playing the game. Bernal appeared in the 1994 and 1998 World Cups for Mexico and played for clubs such as Cruz Azul, Pachuca, and UNAM Pumas. He was greeted by rousing applause upon his introduction before his name was even mentioned. Both Garcia and Bernal signed autographs for all participants following the clinic.
Kansas City Wizards, Broadcast Partner Metro Sports to Name High School Teams of the Week
Debuting last Wednesday, the Kansas City Wizards and Metro Sports will select an area high school team as the High School Team of the Week. The winner is chosen for their outstanding performance during the preceding week and announced each Wednesday on Metro Sports Zone, which begins nightly at 10 p.m. Blue Springs High School won the first-ever award.
The winner will be highlighted again on High School Roundup each Friday. Winners will receive a prize pack from the Kansas City Wizards. Check out Metro Sports each Wednesday for the High School soccer team of the week.
Wizards Weekly on Metro Sports This Week
Wizards Weekly, the official Kansas City Wizards weekly highlight show, broadcast on Metro Sports Thursday at 11:30 p.m., Friday at 4 p.m. and again Saturday at 11:30 a.m., will feature Head Coach Curt Onalfo and veteran midfielder Davy Arnaud this week.
Onalfo and show host Brad Porter will discuss the upcoming playoff run and the feeling of the team after a tough three-game in eight-day road trip. Arnaud will discuss the upcoming match against the Columbus Crew and his recent first career appearance for the United States National Team.
The Jimmy Conrad Show Not Broadcast this Week
The Jimmy Conrad Show, your choice for weekly Wizards news and talk, will not be broadcast going forward due to scheduling conflicts. Conrad and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock are working to arrange an end-of-the-year wrap show broadcast either on ESPN Radio 97.3 or at kcwizards.com. Details will be announced once they are available.
Starting 11 Girls Director Jenny Matthews Named KC Radio Personality of the Year
Jenny Matthews, Wizards Starting 11 Girl Director and host of Mix 93.3's mid-day show, has been named Kansas City Radio Personality of the Year for the second straight year by KC Magazine in their yearly "Best of KC Awards."
"I am so thrilled to have won this award," Matthews said. "I absolutely love being a radio personality - especially in such an incredible city."
Matthews joined the Wizards family earlier this season, when the Starting 11 Girls hospitality team was created to help out on game days and represent the Wizards at community events. The current team, including Matthews, will stay in place through the 2008 season.
Pore, Wahl Attended Circus Last Thursday
Wizards forward Ryan Pore and defender Tyson Wahl returned to their youth last week, attending the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus at Kemper Arena. Pore and Wahl participated in the pre-show from 6 - 6:45 p.m. before attending the main event that began at 7 p.m. The pair participated in juggling activities, took part in an invisible human table and led children in a dance. A video of their participation will be available starting Wednesday at kcwizards.com.
Dynamo to Appear at Corporate Woods Wednesday
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Wednesday, September 12; 7:00-9:30 a.m.
Where: Corporate Woods, 9401 Indian Creek Parkway, Overland Park, KS
What: Dynamo will be out mingling with Corporate Woods tenants on the morning of September 12 for their Tenant Pancake Breakfast. Make sure to keep your food away from Dynamo though...we've heard he has a big appetite.
Hartman, Movsisyan to Read Hartman's Book Boots Saves the Day to First Graders
Who: GK Kevin Hartman, F Yura Movsisyan
When: Wednesday, September 12; 1:30-2:30 p.m.
Where: Spring Valley Elementary, 8838 83rd Street, Raytown, MO
What: Spring Valley Elementary students will welcome Kevin Hartman and Yura Movsisyan to their school, where they will read Hartman's book, Boots Saves the Day, to four classes of 1st graders. They will talk to the students about the importance of reading in life and how it helps them everyday.
Coach Onalfo, Players to Host Comcast Cares Clinic
Who: Head Coach Curt Onalfo, D Jack Jewsbury, M Ryan McMahen, M AJ Godbolt, M-F Will John
When: Wednesday, September 12; 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Where: Lone Elm Park, 16900 S. Lone Elm, Olathe, KS
What: Comcast and the Kansas City Wizards are teaming up to hold a Comcast Cares Clinic for children in the Kansas City area. The players and coaches will instruct for an hour and a half for about 100 children. All participants will receive a 2007 team poster to be autographed by the players.
Hohlbein to Sign Autographs Prior to Match Saturday
Who: D-M Aaron Hohlbein
When: Saturday, September 15; 6:00-6:30 p.m.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, MO
What: Join Kansas City Wizards player Aaron Hohlbein on Soccer Celebration outside of Arrowhead Stadium before the game against Columbus. Hohlbein will be signing autographs for fans at the Fan Information booth. Make sure to stop by.
Kansas City Wizards Training Schedule
Monday, September 10: Training 10 a.m.
Tuesday, September 11: Training 10 a.m.
Wednesday, September 12: Training 10 a.m.
Thursday, September 13: Training 10 a.m.
Friday, September 14: Training 10 a.m.
Saturday, September 15: Kansas City Wizards vs Columbus Crew 7 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium
*All training sessions are held at the new Swope Park training center off of 63rd and Lewis. Practice times are subject to change. Please call Sarah Hardy at 816-665-8442 to confirm.
