* Johnson, Conrad to Represent USA in Copa America
* Wizards Host TFC, DC in Next Week
* KCW Juniors 2007 Rosters Announced
* All-Star Voting Ends Monday
* Forward/Midfielder Colombano on Trial
* Wizards Top Demize 5-0
* Jimmy Conrad Show Live Wednesday
* Wizards Weekly on Metro Sports
* Miss Soccer Kansas City Winners Announced Sunday
* Wizards Players to be Busy in Community
* Kansas City Wizards Training Schedule
Wizards Forward Eddie Johnson, Defender Jimmy Conrad Represent USA in Copa America
Kansas City Wizards forward Eddie Johnson and defender Jimmy Conrad have been selected by United States National Team Head Coach Bob Bradley to represent the Red, White and Blue in the upcoming Copa America competition. Copa America, the South American federation's highest competition, begins June 28 for the United States as Bradley's squad takes on perennial power Argentina in Maracaibo, Venezuela. The United States is placed in Group C with Argentina, Paraguay and Columbia.
United States Schedule:
Group Play-
June 28 vs. Argentina
July 2 vs. Paraguay
July 5 vs. Columbia
July 7-8 Quarterfinals
July 10-11 Semifinals
July 14 Third Place
July 15 Finals
Participants:
Group A-
Venezuela
Uruguay
Peru
Bolivia
Group B-
Brazil
Chile
Mexico
Ecuador
Group C-
United States
Argentina
Paraguay
Colombia
Wizards Host Toronto FC Sunday, D.C. United Wednesday
Sunday, the Kansas City Wizards take on expansion side Toronto FC at Arrowhead Stadium. This will be the third meeting between the teams in 2007; the Wizards are 2-0-0 against TFC this year. Join the Wizards as they celebrate "Salute our Heroes" night with a fireworks spectacular to follow the match. Sunday's game, which kicks off at 7 p.m. CT, is a DiGiorno Family Four Pack night (4 tickets, 4 visors, 4 ice creams and a valuable DiGiorno coupon for $59).
Wednesday, July 4, the Wizards host D.C. United at noon CT. The game marks the second Gail's Harley Davidson T-Shirt Wednesday of the season. To see the t-shirt design and check out other information regarding upcoming games, visit the Kansas City Wizards upcoming promotions page here.
KCW Juniors Announce 2007 Rosters
The Kansas City Wizards are proud to announce the rosters of the three KCW Juniors teams to begin play later in 2007. Tryouts were held last Monday-Wednesday at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri.
In all, 73 players will compete for the KCW Juniors, wearing the Wizards colors and training within the Wizards philosophy under the tutelage of first-class coaches. Head Coach Paul Rideout will lead all three squads.
Click here to see the full rosters >
All-Star Voting Ends Monday
Online fan ballots for the 2007 Sierra Mist MLS All-Star Game, which will pit the best in MLS against perennial Scottish powerhouse Celtic FC on July 19 at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, were closed today.
The first announcement for the MLS squad, to be coached by New England Revolution Head Coach Steve Nicol, is scheduled for July 5 when the First XI will be unveiled. Five days later the remainder of the MLS All-Star squad will be announced. Nicol will select five additional players and the final two spots will be filled with selections made by MLS Commissioner Don Garber.
Argentine Forward/Midfielder Eloy Colombano Trains With Kansas City
Eloy Colombano, a 24-year-old attacking player from Argentina, arrived in Kansas City Saturday and began training with the Wizards Monday. Colombano, a forward and right-sided midfielder with pace, currently plays for Defensa y Justicia of the Argentine first division and played with LP Estudiantes of the Argentine first division 2001-2006.
Colombano played in the Wizards reserve exhibition Monday, scoring a goal in 60 minutes of play. Technical Director Peter Vermes and Head Coach Curt Onalfo first saw Colombano during their trip to Argentina during preseason.
Wizards Reserves Top Springfield Demize 5-0
The Kansas City Wizards Reserves played an exhibition match Monday against the Springfield Demize (PDL) in the Wizards first exhibition at the new Swope Park training facility.
Kansas City played solidly, collecting goals from trialist Eloy Colombano, midfielder Ryan Pore, forward Yura Movsisyan and two from forward Willy Guadarrama.
Center backs Aaron Hohlbein and Tyson Wahl anchored a defense that controlled the match, not allowing a Demize goal.
The Wizards starters: Kronberg, Raybould, Hohlbein, Wahl, Kraus, Pore, Morsink, John, Watson, Movsisyan, Colombano.
Players entering at 60 minutes: Konopka, Lowery, Elcock, Godbolt, Guadarrama, Miles, Nekuda.
Arnaud to host Jimmy Conrad Show Live Wednesday
Kansas City Wizards midfielder/forward Davy Arnaud and the voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will co-host The Jimmy Conrad Show live from the Plaza 810 Zone Wednesday. Conrad is unavailable to host due to United States National Team duty. Conrad and forward Eddie Johnson are scheduled to represent the Red, White and Blue beginning Thursday against Argentina in Maracaibo, Venezuela.
The show, broadcast live at 6 p.m. CT on ESPN Radio 97.3, will feature Wizards forward Yura Movsisyan and Carl Robinson of Toronto FC. Arnaud has already filled in once for Conrad, as he missed a week after fracturing his jaw May 5 in a 1-0 victory over the Columbus Crew. Arnaud, Wheelock and Movsisyan will talk about the young forward's role of super-sub this year and the upcoming matches against Toronto FC and D.C. United.
Catch the show on 97.3 FM or streamed live at kcwizards.com.
Wizards Weekly on Metro Sports
Wizards Weekly, the official Kansas City Wizards weekly highlight show, broadcast on Metro Sports Thursday at 11:30 p.m., Friday and 4 p.m. and again Saturday at 11:30 a.m., will feature Head Coach Curt Onalfo and forward Ryan Pore.
Onalfo and show host Brad Porter will discuss the 1-0 loss against defending MLS Cup Champion Houston Dynamo Sunday and the upcoming matches against Toronto FC and D.C. United.
Wizards and Metro Sports to Announce the 2007 Miss Soccer Kansas City Contest Winners Sunday
The Kansas City Wizards and Metro Sports will announce the Winners of the 2007 Miss Soccer Kansas City contest at halftime of Sunday's game against Toronto FC which starts at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live on Metro Sports.
In the spirit of the new Picturehouse feature-length film, Gracie, the Kansas City Wizards and Metro Sports brought the 2007 Miss Soccer Kansas City contest to the many young girls in the community who excel on and off the soccer field. With the help of Metro Sports, the Wizards are holding a contest to find five girls, ages 18 and under, who will serve as the new junior spokespeople for the team and don the titles of Miss Soccer Kansas City. The five winners will represent the organization throughout the 2007 season.
The winners of the 2007 Miss Soccer Kansas City contest would, like the character in the film, be chosen for their confidence, friendliness, love of athletics and willingness to make a difference in Kansas City.
Wizards Players to be Busy in Community
Who: D Nick Garcia, M Carlos Marinelli, D Aaron Hohlbein
When: Wednesday, June 27; 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Where: Cerner Corporation, 2800 Rockcreek Parkway, Kansas City, MO
What: Nick Garcia, Carlos Marinelli, and Aaron Hohlbein will be attending a Cerner Night promotion on June 27. The players will be interacting with the crowd, displaying skills, and signing autographs for about 300 employees.
Who: F Willy Guadarrama, M AJ Godbolt
When: Thursday, June 28; 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: Cheeseburger in Paradise, 5041 W. 135th Street, Leawood, KS
What: Join the Kansas City Wizards players for good food and good drinks at the Leawood Cheeseburger in Paradise. Willy Guadarrama and AJ Godbolt will be bartending, meeting new people in the Kansas City community, and helping raise money for the Kansas City Soccer Foundation.
Who: M Sasha Victorine
When: Thursday, June 28; 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Where: 810 Zone, 4686 Broadway, Kansas City, MO
What: Along with other Kansas City professional athletes, Sasha Victorine will be attending Union Broadcasting's Auction at 810 Zone on the Plaza on Thursday, June 28. He is the new spokesman for the YMCA Challenger Sports Program, and 25% of the proceeds from the night go to this cause.
Who: The Kansas City Wizards Coaches, Players, and Staff
When: Friday, June 29; 10:30-12:00 p.m.
Where: Swope Park soccer fields, 6310 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO
What: A group of 50 Boys & Girls Club children will take a field trip to watch their Kansas City Wizards at work, on the soccer field. The kids will receive team posters to be autographed by their favorite players during a special autograph session after training.
Who: The Kansas City Wizards Coaches, Players, and Staff
When: Friday, June 29; 10:30-12:00 p.m.
Where: Swope Park soccer fields, 6310 Lewis Road, Kansas City, MO
What: The Southland Storm soccer team will take a field trip to watch their Kansas City Wizards at work, on the soccer field. The kids will receive team posters to be autographed by their favorite players during a special autograph session after training.
Who: Mascot Dynamo
When: Saturday, June 30; 5:15-6:45 p.m.
Where: North Platte Elementary, 300 Scout Street, Camden Point, MO
What: Dynamo the Dragon will be walking in the Camden Point Freedom Festival Parade on Saturday, June 30. Following the parade, he will be entertaining children and handing out Kansas City Wizards team posters.
For more information about Wizards community events, including further information and photo galleries of select appearances, see the Wizards Community Calendar here.
Kansas City Wizards Weekly Training Schedule
Monday, June 25
Kansas City Wizards Reserves 5-0 Springfield Demize: 2 p.m.; Starters off
Tuesday, June 26
DAY OFF
Wednesday, June 27
Training: 10 a.m.
Thursday, June 28
Training: 10 a.m.
Friday, June 29
Training: 10 a.m.
Sunday, July 1
Kansas City Wizards vs. Toronto FC: 7 p.m. (Metro Sports)
*All training sessions are held at the new Swope Park training facility off of 63rd and Lewis. Practice times are subject to change.
