Headlines for the week of April 16, 2007:
* Wizards Begin Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday
* Eddie Johnson Wins MLS Player of the Week
* KCWizards.com Unveils Season Ticket Holder Page
* Wizards Games Broadcast on the Radio
* Wizards Rally on April 24th at The Brooksider
* Wizards Players to Model Hall's Clothing
* Wizards Team Up with Kansas City Limo Lounge
* Wizards vs. D.C. United Match Moved to October 5
* Wizards Host Hispanic Chamber Event
* Wizards Training Schedule for April 18-25
Wizards Begin Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Wednesday
Fresh off a 4-2 victory over D.C. United in the MLS opener, Kansas City looks to begin Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play Wednesday at Real Salt Lake. The game kicks off at 6 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio 97.3.
Commentators Sean Wheelock and Brian Roberts make their 2007 debuts live from Salt Lake. Audio will also be available live at kcwizards.com.
The Wizards look to get back to the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals for the first time since the 2004 season when they beat the Chicago Fire 1-0 to capture the championship. Head Coach Curt Onalfo intends to put a team on the field that will get a win.
"The Open Cup is an extremely important tournament for both players and coaches alike," Onalfo said. "It's a great opportunity for us, and we take this game very seriously."
Kansas City played its opener with a forward-pushing lineup and will do the same in Salt Lake.
"We will focus on this match, enter with an aggressive mindset and go for the victory," Onalfo said.
Kansas City Wizards Forward Eddie Johnson Wins MLS Player of the Week Honors for Week 2
Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson was selected as the Major League Soccer's Player of the Week for his goal and two assist performance in his team's opening game of the season on Saturday, April 14 versus D.C. United.
"It is always nice to receive this honor because it usually means your team won," Johnson said. "One of my personal goals before the season started was to have eight assists. I never thought two would come in the first eight minutes. It was a great team effort, but the best thing that happened was keeping our composure when they (D.C. United) tied the game 2-2."
Johnson helped Kansas City get off to a fast start as they defeated the defending Eastern Conference champions D.C. United 4-2 on the road. His first assist came in the 3rd minute as his flick led to Michael Harrington's first career MLS goal. Johnson delivered the second assist only five minutes later as he calmly settled a cross from Scott Sealy and slotted the ball to Sasha Victorine who finished it giving the Wizards a 2-0 lead.
Johnson struck for his first goal of the season right before the halftime whistle, as he took a loose ball, beat a D.C. United defender and then slotted the ball underneath United goalkeeper Troy Perkins. His tireless play led to the final goal of the game, as he broke away from the defense in the 54th minute and took a shot that was blocked by Perkins. The blocked shot fell to Sealy, who hammered the ball into the open net to give Kansas City a 4-2 advantage.
KCWizards.com Unveils Season Ticket Holder Page
In an effort to better connect with the Wizards most passionate fans, a webpage has been designed specifically for Kansas City Wizards season ticket holders. Available on the main "Tickets" page of the website, fans will have access via password to inside information not available to the general public.
An email was sent to all season ticket holders last Thursday. If you are not on our email list but have season tickets, contact Customer Relations Manager Sam Pierron at 913.387.3400 ex. 319 or spierron@kcwizards.com for details about the season ticket holder page and our other email notices.
Currently available are videos from matches played in Argentina against Boca Juniors and River Plate. New exciting features, plus discounted merchandise, will be added each week to give our loyal fans the inside scoop they deserve.
Wizards Games Broadcast on the Radio
The Kansas City Wizards, in an effort to provide the most information possible, have reached an agreement with Union Broadcasting to broadcast Wizards matches, produce a weekly radio show and host watch parties, among other events.
Main components of the partnership include:
• The Jimmy Conrad Show, broadcast live from 810 Zone on the Country Club Plaza from 6-7 p.m. on ESPN Radio 97.3.
• Jimmy Conrad and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will discuss the latest Wizards happenings on and off the field. Jimmy and Sean have worked together on various radio programs together and should prove to be an entertaining duo. Call-in questions are welcome; feel free to join the fun.
• Six games broadcast live on ESPN Radio 97.3.
• Beginning with Wednesday's Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup match, six Wizards games will be brought to you by Sean Wheelock and Brian Roberts. Keep up with the action on the following dates, no matter where you are:
- Wednesday, April 18 @ Real Salt Lake
- Saturday, April 28 @ Toronto FC
- Saturday, June 16 @ Red Bull New York
- Saturday, July 7 @ Los Angeles Galaxy
- Saturday, September 15 vs. Columbus Crew
- Thursday, September 27 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy
Watch parties for each Wizards away match at both 810 Zone locations.
Can't make the road trip? Each televised away match will be shown live at both 810 Zone locations. Staff will gather at 810 Zone on the Country Club Plaza to watch the match and cheer on our boys as they storm MLS.
Wizards Rally with 610 Sports on April 24th at The Brooksider
The Kansas City Wizards and 610 Sports will co-host a Wizards rally at The Brooksider on Tuesday, April 24, from 5-7 p.m. 610 Sports morning show host DA will be live at the event.
Those who buy tickets for the GET CLOSE home opener will be able to take advantage of a special ticket package. Available at the Wizards/610 event will be a package including six (6) tickets for the home opener on April 25 and a Kansas City Wizards cooler for only $61. The opener is also Gail's Harley Davidson Blue and White T-Shirt night, where a free t-shirt will be given to the first 5,000 fans.
Wizards Players to Model Hall's Clothing in Fashion Show on April 26
Fashion, music and fun will combine for a good cause on April 26, when six Wizards players will model clothing from Hall's on the runway at the popular Plaza nightclub Blonde. Defender Nick Garcia, goalkeeper Kevin Hartman, midfielder Kerry Zavagnin, midfielder Jack Jewsbury, midfielder Davy Arnaud, and midfielder Ryan McMahen will team up with their wives and girlfriends for the event, which is also hosted by Mix 93.3 and benefits Jackson County CASA, a charitable organization that represents abused and neglected children in court.
In addition, Mix 93.3 and the Wizards are asking fans to submit songs that should be played at Wizards games this season. The most popular song submitted will be dubbed the Wizards theme song for the year. Blonde DJ Mike Scott will put his own spin on the music, which will debut at the fashion show on April 26. Fans can email teresa@mix93.com to submit their ideas for the Wizards theme song.
Doors open to the event at 7 p.m., and cocktails sponsored by Belvedere Vodka will be served until 8:30 p.m., when the fashion show is scheduled to begin. Tickets to the event are $20, and can be purchased in advance or at the door.
Wizards Team Up with Kansas City Limo Lounge
In an effort to give the fans the best party atmosphere possible at Arrowhead, we are teaming up with Kansas City Limo Lounge to offer a state-of-the-art party limo at Wizards home games. The limo, which holds 50-55 people and has three sections including a VIP section, will pick up fans on the Plaza and drive out to Arrowhead Stadium for pre-game tailgating and fun. After the game, the limo will drive back to various bars on the Plaza, where fans can attend Wizards after-parties and keep the celebration going.
The Wizards and Kansas City Limo Lounge are also sponsoring an exclusive $10 ticket special for the home opener on April 25. Just call the Wizards offices at (913) 387-3400 and mention the Kansas City Limo Lounge to purchase your $10 ticket to watch the Kansas City Wizards take on Toronto FC.
Wizards vs. D.C. United Match Moved to Friday, October 5
The Wizards last home match of the season, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 6, will be moved to Friday October 5 at Arrowhead Stadium. Starting at 7:00 p.m. CT, the game will still be broadcast locally on Metro Sports.
Wizards Host Hispanic Chamber Event
The Kansas City Wizards hosted the April after-hours session of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Kansas City on Tuesday. From 5:30 - 7:30 p.m., the Wizards hosted members of the Hispanic Chamber at El Patron Cocina & Bar off Southwest Boulevard.
Business leaders in the Hispanic community gather once a month for an after-hours event to recap the month in business and network. Members of the chamber can enter for $10 and non-members for $20.
For more information about the Kansas City Wizards involvement with the Hispanic Chamber, contact Latino Relations Coordinator Hazel Soto at hsoto@kcwizards.com.
Wizards Training Schedule for April 18 - 25
Wednesday, April 18
Reserves practice in Kansas City: 10 a.m.
Open Cup Match at Real Salt Lake: 6 p.m. CT (ESPN 97.3 FM)
Thursday, April 19
Senior squad practice at Real Salt Lake: 10 a.m.
Reserves practice in Kansas City: 10 a.m.
Senior squad departs for Chicago: late afternoon
Friday, April 20
Reserves depart for Chicago: early morning
Practice in Chicago: 2 p.m.
Saturday, April 21
Kansas City Wizards at Chicago Fire: 7:30 p.m. CT (HDNet)
Sunday, April 22
Kansas City Wizards reserves at Chicago Fire reserves: 10 a.m. CT
Team departs for Kansas City: late afternoon
Tuesday, April 24
Practice: 10 a.m.
Wednesday, April 25
Kansas City Wizards vs. Toronto FC: 7:00 p.m. CT (Metro Sports)
