This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of July 31, 2006:
* U.S. Open Cup Match vs. Chicago This Wednesday
* Conrad's MLS All-Star Saturday
* Bliss Puts On The Brakes
* Go Ahead Let The Dogs Out
* Meet A Pair Of Wizards This Weekend
* FC Dallas & New York Red Bulls Package
U.S. Open Cup Match At Chicago On Deck
The Wizards embark on their second leg of the 2006 U.S. Open Cup this Wednesday, August 2nd, at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Following its 2-1 victory over the Des Moines Menace to open play on July 12th in the third round of the Cup, Kansas City drew the Chicago Fire as this week's fourth round opponent. The two MLS sides will battle it out on Wednesday to earn the right to play either the New England Revolution or Rochester Raging Rhinos of the USL First Division. Should the Wizards advance with a win at Toyota Park this week, they will travel to either Ludlow, Mass. to take on the Revs or Paetec Park in Rochester, New York to take on the Rhinos on August 23rd in the quarterfinals. Winner of the prestigious Dewar Trophy in 2004, Kansas City is 8-3 in Open Cup competition since 2002.
Conrad's MLS All-Star Saturday
Jimmy Conrad will be heading to his third consecutive Major League Soccer All-Star game this Saturday, August 5th to take on English Premier League Champion Chelsea FC at Chicago's Toyota Park. Named to the First XI, signifying him as one of the top four vote-getters amongst the league's defenders, Conrad received the second most votes of any other player in MLS. Fans can catch Conrad and his MLS teammates take on Chelsea next Saturday live on ESPN at 4:30 p.m. CT. Also in attendance will be Wizards defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. who will be making appearances on behalf of Major League Soccer during the event-filled weekend.
Bliss Puts On The Brakes
Interim head coach Brian Bliss guided the Kansas City Wizards out of their seven-game skid as the team picked up their first point for the former assistant coach, battling the New England Revolution to a 1-1 tie at a hot and humid Arrowhead Stadium. Kansas City took and early lead on Josh Wolff's third goal of the season, his second in the past three games, and ultimately posted a 7-to-5 advantage in shots on goal in snapping its losing streak. The Wizards nearly walked away with their first victory under Bliss this past Saturday but Steve Ralston finished off a Clint Dempsey pass in the fifth minute of stoppage time to knot the game at 1-1, forcing Bliss to wait for a different day. Although Kansas City is playing the Chicago Fire this Wednesday in the U.S. Open Cup, its next MLS regular season game is slated for August 9th against the same Revolution team, except this time it will be contested in New England.
Go Ahead, Let The Dogs Out
The Wizards will be hosting a special night for their four-legged fans on Saturday, August 12th, when they host their first-ever "Dogs Night Out" at Arrowhead Stadium for their match against the Columbus Crew. Fans attending the game will be able to purchase a ticket package that will allow them to bring their dogs inside of Arrowhead and sit in a special "Dogs Night Out" seating section. Before the game, dogs and their owners can participate in Doggie Street where there will be vendor booths and fun activities for both dog and owner. Ticket packages begin at $20 and all dogs in attendance will receive a free doggie bag. There will also be prizes awarded for the best Wizards themed dog outfit. Large watering stations will be provided and a portion of the proceeds generated from this event will be donated to The KC Pet Program. To pre-register your dog, which is highly encouraged, and receive more information on the event visit www.kcwizards.com
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Meet A Pair Of Wizards This Weekend
Fans will have the chance to meet Wizards veterans Davy Arnaud and Nick Garcia this Sunday, August 6th, when the two players visit a pair of local Verizon Wireless outlets. Fans can bring their favorite Wizards memorabilia and have it signed by Arnaud and Garica between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. Arnaud will be at the Verizon Wireless department of the Oak Park Circuit City, located at 9540 Quivira Road in Lenexa, Kansas. While Garcia will be appearing at the Verizon Wireless Store in Midtown, located at 3385 Main Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
Hoops & Red Bulls Package Deal
Don't forget, the Wizards' upcoming home match against FC Dallas at the end of August was moved to Sunday, August 27th, at 7:30 p.m. Originally scheduled for Saturday the 26th, the game date was changed because their stadium-mates, the Chiefs, will be playing in Arrowhead on that date. The Wizards will be offering a special group ticket package beginning with the August 27th game against the Hoops and ending with Kansas City's regularly-scheduled game against the New York Red Bulls just three days later on Wednesday, August 30th. For that pair of games the Wizards will be selling a special two-game package where groups of 20 or more can purchase midfield tickets to both games for a total of $14 a seat. To purchase this package call the Wizards' Office at 816-920-9300.
This Week's Training Schedule
Tuesday 8/1: Training 10:00 a.m. to approx. 11:00 a.m., Depart for KCI 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday 8/2: Wizards at Chicago Fire - 7:30 p.m. Kickoff at Toyota Park
Thursday 8/3 to Saturday 8/5: OFF
Saturday 8/5: MLS All-Stars vs. Chelsea FC - 5:30 p.m. Kickoff at Toyota Park (Live on ESPN)
Sunday 8/6: Training 5:00 p.m. to approx. 7:00 p.m. *all training sessions are open to the media and take place at the Arrowhead
Training Facility unless otherwise noted.
