Headlines for the week of December 4, 2006:
Youngsters travel the globe
Kansas City Wizards forward Ryan Pore and winger Will John are currently
traveling through Europe with 18 other members of MLS in the midst of a
10-day Euro Trip. John started and recorded an assist on Generation adidas'
first goal of the trip and Pore entered as a sub in the 2-0 victory played
Monday against Queens Park Rangers reserves in London.
The team went on to play Coventry City's reserve squad Tuesday, losing 1-0. Pore started the game and John entered in the 60th minute. Coventry's squad featured eight players who have seen time on the senior roster for the English League Championship club.
The Generation adidas team dominated the flow of the game Monday against the reserves of QPR, another member of the League Championship-England's second highest level of competition. John swung in a cross during the 17th minute that found the head of Colorado Rapids player Jacob Peterson who redirected it into the net.
Pore entered for Chad Barrett of the Chicago Fire in the 65th minute and played the remainder of the game.
New York Red Bulls' David Arvizu later scored in the 85th minute assisted by Dax McCarty of FC Dallas on a give-and-go play in the penalty area.
Pore, John and the rest of the team left for London on Friday, Dec. 1 and will return on Dec. 10 after playing games against Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Queens Park Rangers and Watford. In addition to the four games, the Generation adidas team, which will be coached by Columbus Crew Head Coach Sigi Schmid, will train at the Chelsea Academy, while also watching a Champions League game and a pair of Premier League games.
Generation adidas, which was established ahead of the 2005 MLS season, is Major League Soccer's youth player development program designed to identify and nurture the elite youth soccer talent in the United States. The youth players who join MLS as part of the Generation adidas program receive unprecedented opportunities to develop their game and hone their skills at the professional level in Major League Soccer. In addition to training and playing on a weekly basis with one of Major League Soccer's 13 professional clubs, Generation adidas players also receive educational grants to further their college education.
Tentative Program Itinerary:
FRI, DEC. 1: Depart US for London
SAT. DEC. 2: Arrive London Airport; Training Chelsea Academy
SUN. DEC. 3: Training at Chelsea Academy
MON. DEC.4: Match 1 - Generation adidas 2-0 victory at QPR Reserve Team
TUE. DEC. 5: Match 2 - Generation adidas at Crystal Palace Reserve Team; Transfer to Stamford Bridge; Attend Champions League - Chelsea vs. Levski Sofia at Stamford Bridge
WED. DEC. 6: Training at Chelsea Academy; Transfer to Upton Park; Attend West Ham vs. Wigan at Upton Park
THU. DEC. 7: Transfer to Watford; Match 3 - Generation adidas vs. Watford Reserve Team;Transfer to Cobham
FRI. DEC. 8: Transfer to Chelsea Academy; Match 4 - Generation adidas vs. Chelsea Reserve Team (TBC)
SAT. DEC. 9: Transfer to Liverpool; Attend Liverpool vs. Fulham at Anfield
SUN. DEC. 10: Return Flight to US
COACH: Sigi Schmid (Columbus Crew)
ASSISTANT COACH: Brian Johnson (Real Salt Lake)
Wolff departs for Germany
The Kansas City Wizards announced today that forward Josh Wolff and the team
could not reach a contract agreement and that he has signed with 1860 Munich
of German's second division.
Wolff has spent the last four seasons with the Wizards. In his time with the club, he scored 27 goals and recorded 20 assists while playing in 79 games (74 starts).
Wolff began his career in 1998 with the Chicago Fire and played there for five seasons. As a rookie, Wolff played 11 minutes in MLS Cup '98 as Chicago won the championship in its inaugural season. For his career, Wolff has played in 164 MLS matches and produced 59 goals and 35 assists.
Wolff's option came available on April 1, and Technical Director Peter Vermes and Head Coach Curt Onalfo sought to work out an extension, but the two sides could not agree.
"We wish Josh (Wolff) the best of luck," Vermes said. "Our goal remains the same of having an attack-oriented team and we will continue to pursue every option in bolstering our roster."
Other players not returning to the Wizards next season include:
Will Hesmer-selected by Toronto FC in expansion draft and then traded to Columbus.
The Wizards did not resign Ryan McMahen, Bo Oshoniyi, Sergei Raad, Brian Roberts or Stephen Shirley.
Vermes and Onalfo head overseas to scout
Technical Director Peter Vermes and Head Coach Curt Onalfo have been in South America scouting players since Monday and will return December 12.
The pair is traveling to Argentina, Chile and Uruguay targeting players that fit into the attacking style of play Onalfo plans to install for the 2007 season.
The College Cup, college soccer's 2006 championship, preceded this trip. The MLS SuperDraft will take place Friday, January 12 from 11am-5pm CT.
Front office on the move
The Kansas City Wizards announce today the relocation of the team's front office from Arrowhead Stadium to 8900 State Line Road on the Kansas side.
The team's new address and phone number will be:
8900 State Line Road
5th Floor
Leawood, KS 66206
General: 913.387.3400
Toll free for ticket purchases: 1.877.828.7222
FAX: 913.387.3401
All members of the business side of the organization will be based at this location until a permanent facility is constructed. Head Coach Curt Onalfo, Technical Director Peter Vermes and Team Administrator Rick Dressel, hired on Monday, will be located on the third floor at this site temporarily. All email addresses will remain the same (first initial, last name @kcwizards.com).
Logo switch
The Kansas City Wizards will switch their primary and secondary logos. The primary logo now will be the shield with the words "Kansas City" displayed in blue over a larger type "Wizards" in white. Here is the new primary logo.
In the community
The Wizards have continued to be a strong community presence already in
December.
Four members of the team and Dynamo the Dragon attended Life Up America at the Cinemark in Shawnee last night. Defender Jimmy Conrad and midfielders Kerry Zavagnin, Ryan Raybould and Matt Groenwald were present for the second-annual event.
Jimmy, Kerry, Ryan and Matt greeted hundreds of kids and their families as they experienced the thrill of walking the red carpet, complete with paparazzi, cheering, stars asking for their autograph, wonderful gifts, and more. Qualifying kids received hearing aids (from Starkey) and glasses (from Luxottica). Every child attending the event also received other gifts such as jewelry, teddy bears, and more.
Dynamo helped three Chiefs Cheerleaders welcome the children and their families into the actual theaters and get them excited before seeing the motion picture Meet Me in Miami.
Last Saturday, Raybould attended a fundraiser for St. Thomas Moore Prep to present an autographed team jersey and team poster for auction.
