The Kansas City Wizards announced Tuesday that the kickoff time of their match against the visiting Colorado Rapids this Saturday will be changed to 4 p.m. CT, in order to avoid a conflict with the NCAA Men's Basketball Final Four contest between the University of Kansas and the University of North Carolina later that evening.
The time change just makes sense for all.
"The [OnGoal, LLC] ownership group, all of whom are entrenched in Kansas City, has made the decision to move the Wizards match versus the Rapids to 4 p.m. so that fans are able to experience both games," Wizards president Robb Heineman said. "Many of our supporters also have a vested interest in Kansas basketball, and we want them to enjoy two high-quality sporting events on Saturday."
The Wizards-Rapids match will now end at approximately 6 p.m. Central time, allowing plenty of time for fans to see the Jayhawks-Tar Heels game scheduled for 7:47 p.m. CT.
Besides being a youth soccer hotbed and a revitalized and growing home for the Wizards, Kansas City has a strong basketball tradition.
"Kansas City, Mo., has hosted more Final Fours than any other city in the country. We have the College Basketball Experience at Sprint Center and are the former home of the NCAA," said Wizards executive vice president Greg Cotton. "This town loves college basketball, and our owners don't want the people of Kansas City to have to make a choice between watching the Final Four and attending our match. Quite frankly, they want to watch the games too."
Fans who bought out and rocked CommunityAmerica Ballpark last Saturday night in Kansas City's season-opening 2-0 win against D.C. United, can now repeat their influential feat and enjoy the basketball game too. The Wizards' new home sits approximately 30 miles east of Lawrence, Kansas, the home of the Jayhawks.
"I thought The Cauldron, [the Wizards' supporters section] was wonderful. It was great that we were able to score two goals in front of them. Who knows if The Cauldron had a part in those goals, but I know sometimes when I'm on the road and there are people giving you heck from behind the goal, it doesn't make it easy," said Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. "It's nice to have a home-field advantage. Hopefully, we continue to reward the fans with wins."
Saturday will now also be an opportunity for players such as North Carolina grad and center midfielder Kerry Zavagnin to play the sport they love in front of a boisterous hometown crowd and then go cheer on their own favorites on the basketball court.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
