Weekly Update: K.C. enjoys week off

Meet Wizards midfielder Kurt Morsink at Crown Center in Kansas City on Friday.

The Kansas City Wizards will train as usual Tuesday through Thursday of this week, with an intra-squad scrimmage on Friday before an off weekend. The Wizards resume MLS play Saturday, May 17 at 6:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports (English) and Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish).


Training Schedule


Tuesday, May 6
10 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center


Wednesday, May 7
10 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center


Thursday, May 8


10 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center


Friday, May 9


Intra-Squad Scrimmage


10:30 a.m. CT; Swope Park Training Center

Kansas City Wizards Swope Park Training Center
6310 Lewis Road


Kansas City, MO 64132


KCW Reserves Remain Undefeated with 1-1 Tie Sunday at Columbus
The Columbus Crew Reserve Squad tied the KCW Reserves, 1-1, Sunday morning at the Crew Training Facility at Obetz. The tie brings the Crew's Reserve Division record to 0-1-1 (1 pt.) in the MLS Reserve Division this season, while the Kansas City Wizards remain undefeated at 2-0-2 (8 pts.) in MLS Reserve Division play.


The Wizards drew first blood in Sunday morning's match, thanks to central Ohio native Ryan Pore's free kick score in the 22nd minute. The Crew responded with a Steven Lenhart goal just moments before the halftime whistle to draw even. Both sides earned opportunities to secure the game-winner in the second half of play, but neither was able to find the back of the net again.


In the 22nd minute, Kansas City found itself with a free kick from just left of center, 19 yards out. Pore's ensuing shot was well slotted, as he beat Crew goalkeeper and Blue Valley North graduate Andy Gruenebaum with a skipping ball into the lower right hand corner to give the Wizards the lead.


The Crew got the equalizing opportunity it was looking for, just moments before the halftime break. Recently signed Nigerian midfielder Emmanuel Ekpo received a pass in the middle of the field, used some nifty moves to free himself into space, and sent a nicely weighted ball through to Lenhart. Lenhart's one-timer was well hit and too much for Wizards' goalkeeper Eric Kronberg to handle, as the Crew drew even 1-1 heading into halftime.


The Columbus Crew Reserves next see action on Saturday, May 17, as they take on the Toronto FC reserve squad at BMO Field following its first team match at 3:30 p.m. ET. The KCW Reserves will also see its next action that weekend, as it travels to New York to take on the Red Bulls on Sunday, May 18 at 9 a.m. CT.


Scoring Summary:


KCW - Ryan Pore (unassisted) 22'


CLB - Steven Lenhart (Emmanuel Ekpo) 43'


Columbus Crew Reserves (0-1-1) - Andy Gruenebaum, Ryan Junge (Andrew Peterson 65), Andy Iro, Jed Zayner, Ryan Miller, Nicolas Hernandez, Emmanuel Ekpo (George Josten 45), Stefani Miglioranzi-C, Brad Evans, Steven Lenhart (Guilherme Só 85), Jason Garey


Substitutes not used: Casey Latchem, Steve Traeger


Kansas City Wizards Reserves (2-0-2) - Eric Kronberg, Matt Marquess (Nelson Pizarro 45), Aaron Hohlbein, Rauwshan McKenzie, Jonathan Leathers, Roger Espinoza (Michael Kraus 64), Sasha Victorine, Kerry Zavagnin-C, Ryan McMahen (Kevin Souter 45), Ryan Pore, Ivan Trujillo (Scott Sealy 45)


Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo, Geoff Miles


Misconduct Summary:


CLB - Jed Zayner (caution) 59'


CLB - Brad Evans (caution) 67'


KC - Kevin Souter (caution) 77'


Kansas City Wizards to Partner With Lynn O'Brien Cheer and Dance Camps for June Camp at KC Sports Lodge in Independence
The Kansas City Wizards and Lynn O'Brien Cheer and Dance Camps will hold a program that will run June 9-13 at KC Sports Lodge in Independence and include a halftime performance at the Kansas City Wizards home match Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. CT versus the Columbus Crew.


The Lynn O'Brien Cheer and Dance camps last one week and are designed for girls ages 3-12. Girls will learn one major dance, cheers, chants and have daily "girl talks" about important issues young girls face everyday. Participants should wear comfortable clothes, ballet shoes, and bring their water bottles.


"GIRL TALK" TOPICS:
• Eating Healthy


• Being physically fit rather than skinny


• What a good role model is


• Standing up for your beliefs


• Giving to your community and those in need


• The dangers of smoking


• Being a good friend


BENEFITS
• All campers will receive the following:


• Camp T-shirts


• Pom-Poms


• Learn a dance and cheers to perform at a Kansas City Wizards game


• Tickets to the Wizards match


CAMP FEES
• $75 per camp with a $10 discount per sibling and additional discounts for attending multiple camps or for Lynn O'Brien Cheer and Dance Class members.


• Camps run from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. each day.


• A practice performance and award ceremony is the final day of camp at 11 a.m. This performance is open to parents, family and anyone that cannot attend the game performance. Every girl receives an award.


To enroll, visit the camp page at lynnobriencheer.com.

Sign Up Today for Wizards Championship Series Tournaments
Tournaments in the inaugural Wizards Championship Series include a soccer tennis competition on the Plaza in late June, a 3-versus-3 tournament at the Wizards Swope Park Training Center in mid July and an 11-versus-11 Men's tournament in late August, again at Swope Park.


Tournament details:

Wizards Soccer Tennis on the Plaza
• Three (3) games guaranteed
• Each team receives five (5) tickets to the Wizards game June 28 vs. Real Salt Lake


Registration Fee: $125


Competition: 4-versus-4


Team: Up to 5 team members


Location: Plaza Tennis Center


Dates: June 28 - 29, 2008


Age Groups: U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, U-16, U-17/open

To register: Contact the Wizards youth soccer department at (913) 387-3400


Wizards 3-v-3 Tournament
• Three (3) games guaranteed
• Each team will receive six (6) tickets to Wizards game July 10 vs. Red Bull New York or July 27 versus Chicago Fire


Registration Fee: $230


Competition: 3-versus-3


Team: Up to 8 team members


Location: Kansas City Wizards Swope Park Training Center


Dates: July 12 - 13, 2008


Age Groups: U-9, U-10, U-11, U-12, U-13, U-14, U-15, High School +


To register: Visit premiershipsports.com.


Wizards Men's Open Cup
• Three (3) games guaranteed
• Each player will receive one (1) ticket to the Wizards game August 23 vs. FC Dallas


Registration Fee: $400


Competition: 11-versus-11


Team: Up to 18 team members


Location: Kansas City Wizards Swope Park Training Center


Dates: August 16 - 17 (Opening rounds) ; August 23 - 24(Elimination rounds)


Age Groups: 18+


To register: Contact the Wizards youth soccer department at (913) 387-3400


The Jimmy Conrad Show Live From McFadden's at 8 p.m. Wednesday
The Jimmy Conrad Show will air Wednesday this week from McFadden's downtown. Conrad and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will host the show from 8-9 p.m. CT from McFadden's, with the show broadcast live on 810 WHB in Kansas City, kcwizards.com and MLSnet.com. The show will feature special guests from the Wizards and around Major League Soccer each week.


Archives of The Jimmy Conrad Show are also available online at the Wizards podcast page.


Upcoming times for The Jimmy Conrad Show Wednesday's at McFadden's:


May 7: 8-9 p.m. CT


May 14: 8-9 p.m. CT


May 21: 8-9 p.m. CT


May 28: 8-9 p.m. CT


Weekly Press Conference Held Thursday
For the duration of the 2008 season, the Kansas City Wizards will hold a weekly press conference each Thursday at the pavilion adjacent to the team's Swope Park Training Center. Head Coach Curt Onalfo and players will be available this week beginning at 12 p.m. 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 feature Head Coach Curt Onalfo and a player each week.


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': 9:30 p.m. CT


Friday's: 6:30 p.m. CT


Saturday's: 11:30 a.m. CT


Wizards Hold Second Soccer-Volleyball Fundraiser of Season Tuesday
Who: D Jimmy Conrad, M Kurt Morsink, M Roger Espinoza, D Chance Myers, GK Andrew Kartunen


When: Tuesday, May 6; 1:30-2:30 p.m.


Where: St. Pius High School Gym, Kansas City, MO


What: To help raise money for their school programs, five Kansas City Wizards players will be taking on St. Pius students in a soccer-volleyball match. While the students will play the game using their hands, the Kansas City Wizards players will only be allowed to use legal soccer touches, which include their feet, thighs, chest, and head. No hands allowed!


Hartman to Speak at D.A.R.E. Fest Thursday
Who: GK Kevin Hartman


When: Thursday, May 8; 12:0-12:30 p.m.


Where: Sandstone Amphitheater, Bonner Springs, KS


What: Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman will be speaking to a group of 5th and 6th grade kids for the 10th Annual D.A.R.E. Fest. He will speaking about a drug-free lifestyle and how it has helped him to succeed.


Morsink to Attend Fiesta KC Friday

Who: M Kurt Morsink


When: Friday, May 9; 6:00-7:00 p.m.


Where: Crown Center, Kansas City, MO


What: The KC Fiesta will be held at Crown Center this year, and the Wizards are going to be very involved. On Friday, Morsink will be participating in a meet and greet and will be signing autographs at the M&I Bank booth. On Sunday, the team will offer a clinic near the ice skating rink for all children that wish to participate.