This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of September 5, 2006:
* The Playoff Race Heats Up
* Cindy Parlow Youth Clinic Coming To Arrowhead
* Meet A Pair Of Wizards
* Wizards Recognize US Youth Soccer Month
** Wizards Team Up With Comcast To Support Youth Soccer
The Playoff Race Heats Up
With just five games remaining on the regular season schedule the Wizards will be looking to strengthen their standing in the race for the 2006 playoffs beginning this Saturday, September 9th against the Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. CT in Arrowhead Stadium. The Wizards currently find themselves in fourth place in the tight Eastern Conference where just five points separate second place from sixth place. Kansas City sits only one point behind the New England Revolution in the third place position, a team they face on Saturday, September 23rd in Gillette Stadium after its two-week break following this weekend's contest. Once the Wizards return from New England, they will play two final home games on Saturday, September 30th against ReAL Salt Lake, and Saturday October 7th vs. Chivas USA. Kansas City will close out the regular season by traveling to New York on Saturday, October 14th to face the fifth-place Red Bulls, who sit just one point behind the Wizards, or one point outside of the playoffs. Needless to say, the stretch run of the 2006 season will be filled with plenty of drama and excitement, beginning this Saturday vs. the Rapids. Also on tap for this Saturday is a pre-game concert by children's singer Jim Cosgrove on Soccer Street out in front of Arrowhead Stadium.
Cindy Parlow Youth Clinic Coming To Arrowhead Young
Wizards fans will get a wonderful opportunity to learn from one of the top female players in the United States when U.S. National Team veteran Cindy Parlow comes to Arrowhead this weekend. Parlow is ninth all-time in international appearances as a member of the U.S. National Team having won the FIFA World Cup in 1999 and Olympic Gold Medals in 1996 and 2004. In 2000, Parlow led the United States in scoring en route to capturing the Silver Medal at the Olympic Games. The clinic will be held at the Arrowhead Practice Facility from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. prior to this Saturday's match vs. the Rapids. The cost for youth (15 & under) to participate is $20 per person, which includes a pair of Midfield Sideline reserved tickets to the Wizards/Rapids match, additional tickets to the match can be purchased for $10. Fans can register by contacting the Wizards Office at 816-920-4744 through Friday, September 8th at 4:30 p.m.
Meet A Pair Of Wizards
Kansas City fans will get a great chance to meet a pair of Wizards this Wednesday, September 6th, at Soccer Master in Overland Park. Wizards'Generation adidas players Ryan Pore and Will John will be on hand from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. to sign autographs and greet fans at Soccer Master located at
9013 Metcalf in Overland Park.
Wizards Recognize US Youth Soccer Month
For the third consecutive year the Kansas City Wizards will be recognizing the month of September as US Youth Soccer Month. Now in its fourth installment, Youth Soccer Month - Celebrating Soccer in America, is a celebration for all of those who participate in soccer and it highlights the various programs available to children interested in participating in soccer, including the inner-city, special needs, recreational and elite soccer programs that have facilitated the growth of the sport at all levels.
Each week throughout Youth Soccer Month a series of messages and themes will be communicated to illustrate the essence of youth soccer. Week one will highlight the health and fitness (physical, psychological and social) benefits of playing soccer. Week two focuses on the fun aspects of playing soccer and, whether recreational or competitive in nature, involvement in soccer is easy, affordable and rewarding. Week three highlights the family and how playing soccer ties families together as schedules, vacations and family time are coordinated. Youth Soccer Month will conclude by focusing on friendship and the relationships generated through playing soccer extend beyond the field. The Wizards will close out the celebration at their September 30th match against Real Salt Lake as their Official US Youth Soccer Night where there will be a special halftime kick contest with a chance to win $10,000.
Wizards Team Up With Comcast To Support Youth Soccer
The Kansas City Wizards and Comcast have teamed up together to better the soccer community in the Kansas City area by helping coach a pair of local club programs in the coming month. The Wizards will be hosting clinics that feature four players and member of the coaching staff for the Kansas Rush Soccer Club and Blue Springs Soccer Club. Defender Brian Roberts is one of the players scheduled to coach at the clinic for the Rush on Wednesday, September 13th at Lone Elm Park in Olathe from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Forward Yura Movsisyan is slated for the Blue Springs SC clinic at Hidden Valley Park on Wednesday, September 20th, also from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
These clinics are being held exclusively for these two clubs and their selected member teams.
