Headlines for the week of February 5, 2007:
Kansas City Wizards Defender Jimmy Conrad Scores Goal For U.S. National Team Against Mexico
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad made certain that his 19th career international match appearance was his most impressive. Conrad, starting in central defense for the United States, scored the game-winning goal Wednesday in a 2-0 victory over archrival Mexico in Glendale, Arizona. Conrad had never before scored a goal in international play.
He redirected a Landon Donovan corner with his head past Mexican goalkeeper Oswaldo Sánchez in the 52nd minute, and that proved to be the difference maker. The win pushed the United States' record against Mexico to 8-2-1 since 2000. The U.S. is 7-0-1 at home throughout that time span. The Red, White and Blue have outscored the Tricolor 13-0 on American soil since the turn of the century. The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 62,462 at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
"It was great," Conrad said. "If we are really going to test ourselves, these are the games the critics say we need to have. We are still three-and-a-half years away from a World Cup, but this was a great step in the right direction for Bob (Bradley) and for our young guys to get some valuable experience."
U.S. Interim Head Coach Bob Bradley credited Conrad for his solid work in defense against dangerous Mexican striker Jared Borgetti.
"Jimmy is a leader on our team," Bradley said. "He was very, very motivated to play against a player like Borgetti. In those match-ups you understand that the tone is set early. It's important for him and it's important to our team to see that that is the way we need to play the game."
Conrad said he learned how to play against Borgetti from a fellow U.S. National Team member.
"I watched the Oguchi Onyewu 2005 World Cup qualifier and I thought 'this is the way to go,'" Conrad said. "I wanted to get in his head a little bit."
After assisting on the first goal, Donovan rounded out the scoring with a breakaway goal during second-half stoppage time to put the game out of reach. The goal was his second in the first two games of 2007 and his 27th career international match.
Early on, the match was more notable for the crowd's participation than the play on the field. Fans for each side chanted back and forth as the first half saw three bookings. The game's pace improved noticeably in the second half as the teams settled in and began to string passes together.
Kansas City forward Eddie Johnson entered the game in the 64th minute and tested Mexico's goalkeeper with a blistering long-range shot minutes later. He started and played most of the United States' 3-1 victory of Denmark last month.
For his extraordinary efforts on the field, Jimmy Conrad was named Sierra Mist Man of the Match against Mexico.
Game summary:
Match-up: USA vs Mexico
Date: February 7, 2007
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: University of Phoenix Stadium - Glendale, Arizona
Kickoff: 7:25 p.m. MT
Attendance: 62,462
Weather: Clear, 69 degrees
Scoring Summary:
1 2 F
USA 0 2 2
Mexico 0 0 0
USA - Jimmy Conrad (Landon Donovan) 52nd minute
USA - Landon Donovan (Ricardo Clark) 91+
Kansas City Wizards Spring Training Update Day 5
The Kansas City Wizards spent their last day of practice in Kansas City running a full-field scrimmage and focusing on fitness and weight training. The team also worked on keeping a lead, playing a man down and pushing for a goal.
Community Relations Update
Feb. 3: Dynamo Attends Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunge
Kansas City Wizards mascot Dynamo attended the Polar Bear Plunge, an event that benefits the Special Olympics. Alongside Royals mascot Sluggerrr and Willy the Polar Bear, Dynamo greeted the brave plungers and entertained kids at the February 3rd event.
"Energizing the crowd was exciting," Dynamo said. "It was a new experience, and I loved seeing the grins on the Special Olympics athletes' faces."
Participants gathered at Longview Lake to jump into the 26-degree water in front of a large crowd of supporters. The crowd cheered and whistled during each round of plungers, but the medical staff wading in the water for almost two hours did not appear as peppy. It was one of the coldest days on which the Polar Bear Plunge has ever been held.
"I was happy to be wearing the heavy costume in the 19 degree weather." Dynamo said. "Those Plungers are tough."
Weather excluded, it was a very successful day for Dynamo and the Kansas City Special Olympics.
Feb. 4: Dynamo Party's with Liberty Oaks Elementary Students
Kansas City Wizards mascot Dymano recently attended the Liberty Oaks Casino Family Fun Night. He enjoyed meeting children and families, and even took a little time to shoot some hoops with the kids.
"I had a great time at Liberty Oaks, and I had a great time playing games with the kids," Dynamo said. "Those kids are great at basketball and I loved taking pictures with their families." Dynamo also said he would love to hang out at elementary schools soon, and is more waiting for another chance to hang out and give everyone hugs and high fives!
Zavagnin Shines in the Spotlight as Reporter
Kansas City Wizards Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin had the chance recently to turn the tables on Metro Sports photographer Corey Smith and Kansas City Wizards Director of Marketing and Communications Rob Thomson. Zavagnin served as the reporter and was able to ask Thomson and Smith a variety of investigative questions.
"I finally had the opportunity to put them on the defense, and let's just say the way they go about asking questions is better than how they answer them," Zavagnin said. "We mostly talked about the 2000 MLS Cup and how we plan to dominate the league this year."
Smith said he has been grooming Zavagnin for such a moment as this for several years. He was impressed with Zavagnin's interviewing skills, and thinks he is on the way to success after his career in MLS ends.
"I have been grooming Kerry's television skills for a long time and he's come a long ways," Smith said. "He's a hard-hitting kind of guy, kind of like a Barbara Walters with a smidge of testosterone."
Stay tuned for more updates on the escapades of Kerry Zavagnin - soccer player turned hard-hitting journalist.
