Weekly Update: Leathers called

Wizards Defender Jonathan Leathers Selected to U.S. U-23 National Team for Festival International Espoirs de Toulon

Rookie defender Jonathan Leathers was named by Peter Nowak to the U.S. U-23 roster for the upcoming Festival International Espoirs de Toulon in Toulon, France. Leathers will be making his first-ever appearance for the United States at any level after a successful college career at Furman University, alma mater of current United States internationals Clint Dempsey of Fulham FC and Ricardo Clark of Houston Dynamo.

"We're always pleased to have Wizards players represent their country at any level," Wizards Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "We're happy that Jonathan Leathers will get this opportunity. He has a very good work ethic and continues to get better every day. We are excited he is being rewarded for his continued growth and very good play for the Kansas City Wizards by representing the United States."

Fox Soccer Channel will broadcast all 16 games over the course of the 10-day tournament, which takes place from May 20-29 in Toulon. The U.S. has been placed into Group B and will open the tournament against Turkey on May 21 before facing two Olympic-bound teams in Ivory Coast on May 23 and Italy on May 25.

Later this year, The U.S. will participate in its 13th Olympic Games, earning their place by advancing to the final of CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying in March. The Americans finished the tournament with a 3-1-1 record, with their only loss coming to Honduras in overtime of the championship match. Both teams had already secured their ticket to Beijing, the United States defeating Canada in one semifinal while Honduras ousted Guatemala in the other.

GOALKEEPERS (3): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake), Quentin Westburg (Troyes)

DEFENDERS (10): Tony Beltran (Real Salt Lake), Eric Brunner (out of contract), Kyle Davies (Southampton), Michael Gavin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg), Jonathan Leathers (Kansas City Wizards), Brek Shea (FC Dallas), Julian Valentin (Los Angeles Galaxy), Rob Valentino (New England Revolution), Blake Wagner (FC Dallas)

MIDFIELDERS (5): Bryan Arguez (Hertha Berlin), Corey Ashe (Houston Dynamo), Greg Dalby (SC Charleroi), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Lee Nguyen (Randers FC)

FORWARDS (4): Gabe Ferrari (Sampdoria), Bryan Jordan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Ellis McLoughlin (Hertha Berlin), Sammy Ochoa (Tecos)

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


And so much more!

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 </p>

(Elimination rounds)

Age Groups: 18+

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

Sign up Today for Wizards Premier Soccer Camps

Specifically for male or female premier players ages 10-16, these camps are designed to go above and beyond what is offered at a standard soccer camp. In addition to first-class training, participants will receive: appearances from Wizards players and/or coaches, a free soccer ball, a free Wizards camp shirt, a Wizards camp gift and a voucher for one free ticket to a Wizards home match.

The focus of the week-long, 3-hour-a-day camp is to expose players to game-orientated training that will improve both their technical skills and their tactical soccer awareness. The emphasis of coaching will be on the mastering of advanced skills, performance under pressure and playing at speed in game-related situations.

The camp curriculum will feature:

• Passing and receiving on the move
• Midfield combination play
• One v One Defending
• Team Defending
• Shooting and Volleying
• Crossing and Heading
•Shooting from distance
• Taking on and beating defenders

**Goalkeeper coaching will be available at each camp.

**Goalkeeper coaching will be available at each camp.

At the conclusion of the camp, individual player profiles will be passed on the Wizards coaching staff and player progress will be tracked during league and tournament play and future Wizards camps and training activities. Players may sign up individually or as a team, and will be coached within age and ability groups.

Wizards Premier Camps will take place at the following facilities throughout Kansas City in 2008:

Challenger Sports

913-232-5166

Wizards@challengersports.com

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 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 defender Michael Harrington 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 defender Michael Harrington this week. Metro Sports will air Wizards Weekly three times per week.

Wizards Weekly show times:

Thursday's 9:30 p.m. CT

Friday's 6:30 p.m. CT

Saturday's 11:30 a.m. CT

Wizards, Starting 11 Girls, Dynamo Busy in Community This Week

Who: M Roger Espinoza

When: Sunday, May 11; 3:00-4:00 p.m.

Where: Crown Center, Kansas City, MO

What: The KC Fiesta was held at Crown Center this year and the Wizards were very involved. On Friday, the Wizards will participated in a meet and greet at the M&I Bank booth. On Sunday, Espinoza helped run a clinic near the ice skating rink for children.

Who: Starting 11 Girls

When: Wednesday, May 14; 4:00-7:00 p.m.

Where: Lucky Strike Lanes, Power and Light District

What: The Kansas City Wizards Starting 11 Girls will be participating in the festivities to help raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man and Woman of the Year. $25 at the door goes directly to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society - this will get you free bowling, appetizers, and two drinks. It is an event you don't want to miss!

Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon

When: Friday, May 16; 5:45-7:15 p.m.

Where: Swope Park soccer fields, Kansas City, MO

What: Kansas City Wizards mascot Dynamo will be attending Brookside Soccer's U6 Friday Fun Night. U6 games will be played and Dynamo will be roaming the fields to entertain onlookers.

Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon

When: Saturday, May 17; 11:00-12:00 p.m.

Where: 69th and Antioch, Merriam, KS

What: The Turkey Creek Festival Parade will include Kansas City Wizards mascot Dynamo this year. Dynamo will be walking in the parade approximately one mile, so make sure to give him a high five as he walks by for encouragement.

Who: Starting 11 Girls

When: Saturday, May 17; 7:00-9:30 p.m.

Where: Blue Springs High School, Blue Springs, MO

What: The Kansas City Wizards Starting 11 Girls will be helping out at a fundraiser for the Jennifer Ireland Foundation, which raises money help support families that have been affected by cancer. The event is centered around a concert performance at Blue Springs High School, and it is sure to entertain.