Wizards Travel to Face Head Coach Preki and Chivas USA Saturday in Los Angeles
The Kansas City Wizards (10-9-6, 36 pts) travel to face red-hot Chivas USA (13-6-5, 44 pts) Saturday at 9:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports in a match-up of two teams currently within the 2007 MLS Cup playoff picture. Kansas City occupies the 4th spot in the East, just one point back of third-place Red Bull New York. Chivas USA is currently 2nd in the West, just one point behind first-place Houston Dynamo with two games in hand over the south-Texas club.
Two of the top strikers in MLS will face off against one another as Chivas USA's Maykel Galindo (12 goals, 5 game-winning goals) and Kansas City's Eddie Johnson (15 goals, 6 game-winning goals, 5 assists) prepare to terrorize the opposing defenses. Each player has three multi-goal games this season.
Chivas USA is the best home team in MLS, carrying the only perfect home record in the league this season (9-0-2). Kansas City has been one of the better road teams all season, with a 3-5-4 road record and league-high 19 goals scored away from Arrowhead Stadium this year.
MLS Playoff Chase Update
MLS CUP PLAYOFF SCHEDULE
Individual clubs have information on specific dates for their respective home matches.
EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS:
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 4
WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS:
Game 1: Thurs., Oct. 25 - Sun., Oct. 28
Game 2: Thurs., Nov. 1 - Sun., Nov. 4
CONFERENCE FINALS:
Thurs., Nov. 8 teams and site TBD (ESPN2)
Sat., Nov. 10 teams and site TBD
MLS CUP
Sun., Nov. 18, Noon (ABC) at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.
MLS PLAYOFF RACE
Team |
Points |
Games Left |
Max Pts. |
|---|---|---|---|
*D.C. United |
49 |
5 |
64 |
*NE Revolution |
45 |
5 |
60 |
*Houston Dynamo |
45 |
4 |
57 |
Chivas USA |
44 |
6 |
62 |
FC Dallas |
39 |
6 |
57 |
NY Red Bulls |
37 |
5 |
52 |
Kansas City Wizards |
36 |
5 |
51 |
Chicago Fire |
30 |
6 |
48 |
--- |
--- |
--- |
--- |
Colorado Rapids |
29 |
5 |
44 |
Columbus Crew |
28 |
5 |
43 |
Toronto FC |
21 |
6 |
39 |
Real Salt Lake |
19 |
6 |
37 |
LA Galaxy |
17 |
8 |
41 |
Key: * Has clinched a playoff spot
The qualification and seeding are as follow:
• Eight teams qualify for the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs
• Playoff berths will be determined by points in the standings upon the completion of the regular season on Oct. 21; all 13 teams will have played 30 games.
• If two teams are tied on points, the first tiebreaker is head-to-head results, the second tiebreaker is goal differential, and the third is goals scored for the season. (Subsequent tiebreakers are available in the Fact and Record Book). The top two teams in each conference qualify and are seeded 1 & 2 in their respective four-team playoff conference brackets.
• The four MLS teams with the next most points, regardless of conference, receive "wildcard" berths.
• The four wildcard teams will be seeded according to conference first.
• If more than four teams qualify from one conference, those finishing lower than fourth in their conference will shift over to the other conference bracket.
• A team switching conference brackets will be seeded below all other teams in its new conference playoff bracket.
Kansas City Wizards Partner With Renaissance Festival for Ticket Package
The Kansas City Wizards will have a presence at the KC Renaissance Festival on September 22nd and 29th. On these days, everyone who purchases a ticket to the Renaissance Festival will receive a voucher good for $10 off a sideline reserve seat (subject to availability) at any of our remaining home matches, including the playoffs.
The Renaissance Festival is located at 628 N. 126th Street in Bonner Springs (next to Verizon Wireless Amphitheater). Anyone wishing to redeem a voucher can contact Account Executive Zach Rieger at 913-387-3410 or by email at zrieger@kcwizards.com.
Kansas City Wizards, Broadcast Partner Metro Sports to Name High School Teams of the Week
Debuting last Wednesday, the Kansas City Wizards and Metro Sports will select an area high school team as the High School Team of the Week. The winner is chosen for their outstanding performance during the preceding week and announced each Wednesday on Metro Sports Zone, which begins nightly at 10 p.m. Olathe East won the Kansas award and Rockhurst High School the Missouri honor.
The winner will be highlighted again on High School Roundup each Friday. Winners will receive a prize pack from the Kansas City Wizards. Check out Metro Sports each Wednesday for the High School soccer team of the week.
Wizards Weekly on Metro Sports This Week
Wizards Weekly, the official Kansas City Wizards weekly highlight show, broadcast on Metro Sports Thursday at 11:30 p.m., Friday at 4 p.m. and again Saturday at 11:30 a.m., will feature Head Coach Curt Onalfo and forward Scott Sealy this week.
Onalfo and show host Brad Porter will discuss the upcoming playoff run and the feeling of the team after a record-setting comeback win Saturday over the Columbus Crew. Sealy will comment on his Player of the Week award and his two-goal
Dynamo to Attend Fox Lunch at Hen House with Frankie of 101.1 The Fox Tuesday
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Tuesday, September 18; 11:30-1:00 p.m.
Where: Hen House Market, 6900 W. 135th, Overland Park, KS
What: Dynamo will be joining members of the Kansas City Wizards staff to promote the September 27 game against the LA Galaxy during Fox 101's Lunch at Hen House. The team will be holding a drawing every 30 minutes to win a David Beckham jersey and will have tickets and merchandise available.
Wizards Hold Comcast Cares Clinic Wednesday
Who: Assistant Coach Chris Henderson, M Kerry Zavagnin, GK Kevin Hartman, M-F Edson Elcock, M Amir Lowery
When: Wednesday, September 19; 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Where: Van Hook Park, 3231 S. Shrank Avenue, Independence, MO
What: Comcast and the Kansas City Wizards are teaming up to hold a Comcast Cares Clinic for children in the Kansas City area. The players and coaches will instruct for an hour and a half for about 100 children. All participants will receive a 2007 team poster to be autographed by the players.
Dynamo to Attend Read for the Record Event
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Thursday, September 20; 9:00-10:00 a.m.
Where: Derrick Thomas Academy, 201 East Armour Boulevard, Kansas City, MO
What: Derrick Thomas Academy will be holding their annual Read for the Record to encourage reading outside of school. The event will be held at the Academy and Dynamo will be there participating in all of the fun activities with the kids.
Dynamo at Belinder Elementary for Fundraiser Friday
Who: Mascot Dynamo the Dragon
When: Friday, September 21; 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Where: Belinder Elementary School, 7230 Belinder Avenue, Prairie Village, KS
What: Dynamo will be hanging out at Belinder Elementary to help motivate kids during the school's Walk-A-Thon fundraiser. He will be cheering at the end and handing out high-fives for a job well done.
Kansas City Wizards Training Schedule
Monday, September 17:
OFF
Tuesday, September 18:
Training 10 a.m.
Wednesday, September 19:
Training 10 a.m.
Thursday, September 20:
Training 10 a.m.
Friday, September 21:
Training 10a.m.
Saturday, September 22:
Kansas City Wizards at Chivas USA 9:30 p.m. CT on Metro Sports
Sunday, September 23:
Reserve match at Chivas USA
*All training sessions are held at the new Swope Park training center off of 63rd and Lewis. Practice times are subject to change. Please call Sarah Hardy at 816-665-8442 to confirm.
