The Kansas City Wizards (10-10-6, 36 pts) host the Los Angeles Galaxy (5-13-6, 21 pts) on ESPN 2's MLS Primetime Thursday at 7 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium. The Wizards have arranged for numerous attractions surrounding the match, including an expanded Soccer Celebration east of the stadium, a performance by Liverpool: A Tribute to the Beatles and a post-game party at Martini Corner in mid-town. The first 10,000 fans into the stadium will receive blue and white thundersticks courtesy of game-sponsor M&I Bank, and the game ball will be delivered to mid-field by jet pack. The match promises to be the most exciting Wizards match of the season as the team pushes to secure a spot in the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic entering the stadium and catch all the pre-game festivities. Timing for the game is as follows:
- Parking lots open: 3:30 p.m.
- Soccer Celebration: 4-6:30 p.m.
- Liverpool (A Tribute to the Beatles): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
- Stadium gates open: 5:30 p.m.
- Kickoff: 7 p.m.
After the match, Wizards players are scheduled to appear at Martini Corner (31st and Gillham) for drink and appetizer specials available for those with a ticket stub. Tickets are still available for the game at kcwizards.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet.
NASCAR Driver David Ragan to Attend Match, Sign Autographs During Pre-Game
NASCAR Nextel Cup and Busch Series driver David Ragan will attend Thursday's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy. Ragan will be on the apron prior to the game signing autographs and will stay with NASCAR officials to watch the match.
Ragan is one of the exciting, up-and-coming drivers in NASCAR, as he is leading the Busch Series' Rookie of the Year chase and is in the heart of the Rookie of the Year award for the Nextel Cup. Ragan will be competing Saturday and Sunday at the Kansas Speedway in the NASCAR races held there. Check out Ragan's homepage at www.davidragan.com or here at NASCAR.com.
Columbia, Missouri native Christopher Hatfield, a member of NASCAR driver Carl Edwards' record label Back 40 Records, will perform the National Anthem. Hatfield's profile is available here.
Kansas City Wizards to Hold Season Ticket Holder Event at Kansas City Zoo Sunday
Sunday, September 30, the Kansas City Wizards will host an exciting opportunity for fans to GET CLOSE to the entire squad, as every player is scheduled to attend a season ticket holder event at the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park. Wizards season ticket holders can enter the Zoo for free after 3 p.m.
Beginning at 3:30 p.m., players will be spread throughout the animal exhibits in pairs to sign autographs and take pictures with Zoo patrons and Wizards fans until the normal closing at 5 p.m. Then, from 5 - 7 p.m., the Wizards will hold a special season ticket holder only event under a tent just inside the main gate. Appetizers and drinks will be provided free of charge, and a cash bar will be available. DJ Soap will provide the music as a magician and face-painters entertain.
Important times:
9:30 a.m. Zoo opens
3 p.m. Wizards season ticket holders can enter Zoo for FREE
3:30 p.m. Wizards players begin signing autographs
5 p.m. Zoo closes
5 - 7 p.m. Season ticket holder only party
The Kansas City Zoo is located in Swope Park at 6800 Zoo Drive, Kansas City, Missouri. Click here for a directional map to the Zoo.
DATE CHANGE FOR FINAL HOME GAME
The date of the Kansas City Wizards final home match has changed from the original schedule.
The game will be played Friday, October 5 at 7 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium against D.C. United.
Originally scheduled for October 6, the match will be Fan Appreciation Day and could be a preview of a 2007 MLS Cup Playoff match-up between the squads. If the season ended today, the Wizards and D.C. United would square off in a two-game playoff series, with aggregate goals deciding the contest. The first leg would be played at Arrowhead Stadium with a return match in the nation's capitol at RFK Stadium.
MLS Playoff Chase Update
By defeating the Kansas City Wizards Saturday on a dramatic, stoppage-time goal, Chivas USA became the fourth MLS team to secure a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs, which begin Thursday, Oct. 25 on ESPN2. The MLS champion will be crowned at MLS Cup 2007 being held in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Nov. 18 at 12:00 p.m. ET (ABC, TeleFutura).
D.C. United, Houston Dynamo and the New England Revolution had previously clinched passage to the postseason. Chivas USA, led by Ante Razov's two-goal performance against Kansas City, moved to the top of the Western Conference and closed within two points of D.C. United, the current overall leader in the MLS standings. When the regular season ends on Oct. 21, the team with the most points will win the Supporters' Shield and will qualify for the 2008 CONCACAF Champions Cup. Most MLS teams have just four regular season games remaining.
Below are the scenarios in which teams could clinch or be eliminated this week:
FC Dallas:
• Will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· FC Dallas defeats Houston on Sunday AND
· Columbus fails to win against Los Angeles on Sunday
• OR IF:
· FC Dallas ties Houston on Sunday AND
· Columbus loses to Los Angeles on Sunday
New York Red Bulls:
• Will clinch a playoff spot IF:
· New York defeats Real Salt Lake on Saturday AND
· Colorado fails to win against New England on Saturday AND
· Columbus loses against Los Angeles on Sunday
Real Salt Lake:
• Will be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· Real Salt Lake fails to win against New York on Saturday AND
· Chicago defeats Chivas USA on Saturday
Toronto FC:
• Will be mathematically eliminated from playoff contention IF:
· Toronto FC fails to win against D.C. United on Saturday AND
· Chicago defeats Chivas USA on Saturday
If the season ended today, the eight teams below would qualify. They are listed according to their would-be opponents in two-game, aggregate goals playoff series:
Eastern Conference Semifinals |
Western Conference Semifinals |
|---|---|
D.C. United vs. Kansas City Wizards |
Chivas USA vs. Chicago Fire* |
New England Revolution vs. New York Red Bulls |
Houston Dynamo vs. FC Dallas |
*As the fifth team to qualify from the Eastern Conference, Chicago would shift over to become the fourth seed in the Western Conference playoff bracket. Full qualification and seeding procedure is below.
MLS CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Individual clubs have information on specific dates for their respective home matches.
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS:
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS:
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 4
CONFERENCE FINALS:
Thurs., Nov. 8 teams and site TBD (ESPN2)
Sat., Nov. 10 teams and site TBD
MLS CUP
Sun., Nov. 18, Noon (ABC) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
MLS PLAYOFF RACE
Team |
Points |
Games Left |
Max Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|
<font color="blue">*D.C. United</font> |
50 |
4 |
62 |
<font color="blue">*Chivas USA</font> |
47 |
5 |
62 |
<font color="blue">*NE Revolution</font> |
46 |
4 |
58 |
<font color="blue">*Houston Dynamo</font> |
45 |
4 |
57 |
FC Dallas |
40 |
4 |
52 |
NY Red Bulls |
38 |
4 |
50 |
Kansas City Wizards |
36 |
4 |
48 |
Chicago Fire |
32 |
4 |
44 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
<font color="red">Columbus Crew</font> |
31 |
4 |
43 |
<font color="red">Colorado Rapids</font> |
29 |
4 |
41 |
<font color="red">Real Salt Lake</font> |
23 |
4 |
35 |
<font color="red">LA Galaxy</font> |
21 |
6 |
39 |
<font color="red">Toronto FC</font> |
21 |
5 |
36 |
Key:
* Has clinched a playoff spot
Blue - Automatic berths in MLS Cup Playoffs
Black - Wildcard berths in MLS Cup Playoffs
Red - Currently out of playoffs
The qualification and seeding are as follow:
• Eight teams qualify for the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs
• Playoff berths will be determined by points in the standings upon the completion of the regular season on Oct. 21; all 13 teams will have played 30 games.
· If two teams are tied on points, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head results, the second tiebreaker is goal differential, and the third is goals scored for the season. (Subsequent tiebreakers are available in the Fact and Record Book).
• The top two teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1 & 2 in their respective four-team playoff conference brackets.
• The four MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive "wildcard" berths.
· The four wildcard teams will be seeded according to conference first.
· If more than four teams qualify from one conference, those finishing lower than fourth in their conference will shift over to the other conference bracket.
· A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket.
MLS GAMES THIS WEEK
(All times Eastern)
Thursday, September 27
Los Angeles Galaxy at Kansas City Wizards, 8:00 p.m. (ESPN2)
Saturday, September 29
Colorado Rapids at New England Revolution, 7:30 p.m.
Real Salt Lake at New York Red Bulls, 7:30 p.m. (FSC, FSE)
Toronto FC at D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. (HDNet)
Chicago Fire at Chivas USA, 10: 30 p.m.
Sunday, September 30
Houston Dynamo at FC Dallas, 3:00 p.m. (TeleFutura)
Los Angeles Galaxy at Columbus Crew, 5:00 p.m. (HDNet)
Wizards Reserves Fell 2-1 Sunday at Chivas USA
Sunday, the Kansas City Wizards fell to 5-5-1 in MLS Reserve Division play with a 2-1 loss to Chivas USA at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. Willy Guadarrama recorded his 3rd goal of the reserve season in the loss with a rebound put-back in the 33rd minute.
Scoring Summary:
KCW - Willy Guadarrama (unassisted) 33'
CHV - Anthony Hamilton (unassisted) 62'
CHV - Anthony Hamilton (Chris Cortez, Jorge Flores) 77'
Chivas USA Reserves: Preston Burpo - Éder Robles (Chris Cortez 51), Jason Hernández (Daniel Paladini 46), Desmond Brooks, Erasmo Solórzano - Jorge Flores, Orlando Pérez [C], John Cunliffe, Rodrigo López (David Arvizu 75) - Anthony Hamilton (Bobby Burling 90), Laurent Merlin.
Subs Not Used: Sam Reynolds.
Kansas City Wizards Reserves: Eric Kronberg - Ryan Raybould [C], Aaron Hohlbein, Tyson Wahl, Michael Kraus - Lance Watson, Amir Lowery, Will John, Geoff Miles (Sasha Victorine 75) - Edson Elcock, Willy Guadarrama.
Subs Not Used: Kurt Morsink, Chris Konopka, Boris Pardo.
Cautions:
KCW - Willy Guadarrama 20'
KCW - Tyson Wahl 53'
CHV - Jorge Flores 63'
CHV - Chris Cortez 67'
KCW - Geoff Miles 70'
Referee: Alejandro Mariscal
Assistants: César Moreno, Daniel Radford
Weather: Sunny, 68°F / 20°C
Kansas City Wizards Partner With Renaissance Festival for Ticket Package
The Kansas City Wizards will have a presence at the KC Renaissance Festival this Saturday. Everyone who purchases a ticket to the Renaissance Festival will receive a voucher good for $10 off a sideline reserve seat (subject to availability) at any of our remaining home matches, including the playoffs. Wizards mascot Dynamo the Dragon will also attend the festival.
The Renaissance Festival is located at 628 N. 126th Street in Bonner Springs (next to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater). Anyone wishing to redeem a voucher can contact Account Executive Zach Rieger at 913-387-3410 or by email at zrieger@kcwizards.com.
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Saturday, September 29; 12:00-1:30 a.m.
Where: 628 N. 126th Street in Bonner Springs
What: Dynamo will be heading out to Bonner Springs to greet and hang out with Renaissance Festival attendees. He will be entertaining the children and handing out Kansas City Wizards team posters for the kids.
Dynamo to Attend Fox Lunch at Hen House
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Tuesday, September 25; 11:30-1:00 p.m.
Where: Hen House Market, 15000 W. 87th Street, Lenexa, KS
What: Dynamo will be joining members of the Kansas City Wizards staff to promote the September 27 game against the LA Galaxy during Fox 101's Lunch at Hen House. The team will be holding a drawing every 30 minutes to win a David Beckham jersey and will have tickets and merchandise available.
Wizards Participate in Comcast Cares Clinic
Who: Assistant Coach Kris Kelderman, D Jack Jewsbury, M-F Will John, M AJ Godbolt, M Ryan McMahen
When: Wednesday, September 26; 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.
John, McMahen to Autograph Before Game Thursday
Who: M-F Will John, M Ryan McMahen
When: Thursday, September 27; 6:00-6:30 p.m.
Where: Arrowhead Stadium, 1 Arrowhead Drive, Kansas City, MO
What: Join Kansas City Wizard player Willy Guadarrama on Soccer Celebration outside of Arrowhead Stadium before the game against the LA Galaxy. Guadarrama will be signing autographs for fans at the Fan Information booth. Make sure to stop by.
Wizards Participate in American Royal Parade
Who: Starting 11 Girls, Mascot Dynamo the Dragon, Miss KC Soccer Girls, Kansas City Wizards Juniors
When: Saturday, September 29; 9:00-11:00 a.m.
Where: American Royal Parade, Downtown Kansas City, MO
What: Make sure to head downtown on Saturday morning to see your Kansas City Wizards float in the American Royal Parade. Dynamo, the Starting 11 Girls, the Miss Soccer KC Girls, and the Kansas City Wizards Juniors will be riding along on the float, which is made to look like a soccer field.
Kansas City Wizards Training Schedule:
Monday, September 24:
OFF
Tuesday, September 25:
Training 10 a.m.
Wednesday, September 26:
Training 10 a.m.
Thursday, September 27:
Kansas City Wizards vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 7 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium, live on ESPN 2.
Friday, September 28:
Training 10 a.m.
<br><i>Sunday, September 30:</i>
Kansas City Wizards Season Ticket Holder event at Kansas City Zoo (see above for details)
*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.
