This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of April 10, 2006:
Undefeated & In First Place
The Kansas City Wizards remained undefeated on the season, claiming sole
possession of first place in the Eastern Conference with a dramatic 2-1
come-from-behind win at Houston. Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. and Sasha Victorine
combined on both Wizards goals, helping the squad improve to an MLS-best
2-0-0 on the season. Burciaga rifled a spectacular 25-yard left footed
volley into the Dynamo net just as the match entered extra-time to give
Kansas City the win. Goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi was huge in the net for the
Wizards, recording six saves to maintain his league second-best 1.00 goals
against average. The Wizards win snapped the Houston organization's streak
of 19 games without a loss at home, dating back to its days in San Jose.
The then Earthquakes streak began on September 25th, 2004.
A Pair of Championship Contenders
After a successful home opener in which 18,143 fans got to enjoy Wizards
soccer in Arrowhead Stadium, the Wizards return home this Saturday looking
to keep their perfect record intact when they host the defending Eastern
Conference Champion New England Revolution. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30
p.m. Currently second place in the conference, the Revolution sits two
points behind Kansas City in the standings with a 1-0-1 record. After
topping the Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in a rematch of last year's MLS Cup
Finals on Opening Day, the Revs drew 0-0 with the New York Red Bulls this
past weekend in New York. Last year's series was an even 1-1-2 between the
two, but oddly enough neither team won in their own stadium. The Revs
topped Kansas City 2-0 in Arrowhead on June 11th and the Wizards flipped the
table on August 6th, winning 2-1 in New England. They tied 1-1 in their
first meeting of 2004 on June 4th in Gillette Stadium, and then tied 2-2 in
their final meeting on October 8th in Arrowhead. Dating back to 2005,
Kansas City has lost just once to New England in its last six meetings,
holding a 3-1-2 record. The Wizards, who are tied for second in the league
in scoring, will be going up against U.S. National Team stars Taylor
Twellman, Clint Dempsey, Steve Ralston, Pat Noonan and Matt Reis this
weekend. Reis is the only goalkeeper in the league who is yet to allow a
goal this season.
Mid America Barnstorming Tour: Stop Two
Fans in the Springfield, Missouri area will get a chance to watch the
Wizards this Wednesday when they face Missouri State University as part of
their annual Mid America Barnstorming Tour. Kickoff for this fourth annual
exhibition match is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and will be played in the Bears'
Cooper Sports Complex. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Missouri
State soccer office (417-836-5243) and will be available at the gate.
Vote For Burciaga for GOTW
Jose Luis Burciaga's Jr.'s game winning strike against the Houston Dynamo
this past weekend is up for MLSNet's Sierra Mist Goal of the Week. Just
after the clock hit 90 minutes and the game moved into extra time, Burciaga
ripped a left-footed volley from 25-yards out that beat Dynamo goalkeeper
Pat Onstad to the back post for the eventual win. Second-half substitution
Alex Zotinca ignited the play on the right side, dribbling his defender deep
into the corner. Zotinca crossed the ball into the box where it was
deflected out towards the top of the penalty area by a Dynamo defender.
Midfielder Sasha Victorine, who netted the Wizards' game-tying goal earlier
in the match, plucked the ball out of the air with his head, hitting a
perfect square ball to Burciaga who was near the corner of the penalty box.
After letting it take one bounce, Burciaga one-timed his shot, catching the
entire Houston defense by surprise and garnering three points for the
Wizards on the road. Not originally credited with an assist on the play,
Victorine was awarded his first assist of the season after further review of
the play a couple of days later. Fans can vote for Burciaga's spectacular
game-winning goal for Sierra Mist Goal of the Week by visiting
www.mlsnet.com.
Wizards on the Air
Wizards' fans can catch some of their favorite players on the airwaves this
week, beginning with forward Davy Arnaud's appearance on Metro Sports'
Sports Talk on Monday, April 10th. Below is preliminary schedule of media
appearances that the Wizards will be making this week.
Monday, April 10th: Metro Sports: Sports Talk (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) - Davy
Arnaud
Tuesday, April 11th: 610 AM: The DA Show (7:30 a.m.) - Jimmy Conrad
Wednesday, April 12th: 810 AM: The Border Patrol (7:30 a.m.) - Sasha
Victorine
Metro Sports: Sports Talk
(6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) - TBD
Thursday, April 13th: Metro Sports: Sports Talk (6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.) -
TBD
Official Watch Party Network Off and Running
Saturday night saw over 60 fans in attendance to cheer on the Wizards at the
810 Zone in Leawood. Similar numbers enjoyed the food and drink at Buffalo
Wild Wings in Raytown. And the Paddy O'Quigleys in Lee's Summit
unfortunately had to turn folks away as they had a technical issue with
their satellite service and were unable to show the game. Every and all
issues have since been resolved and both Lee's Summit Paddy O'Quigleys
locations and will be ready for the Wizards next road match on Saturday,
April 23 at 4:00 p.m. at FC Dallas. As a service to the Wizards' fans, the
participating Paddy O'Quigley's will be offering select specials on the 23rd
to make up for this past weekend's technical difficulties. For more
information on the Wizards' Official Watch Party Network sponsored by
Budweiser be sure to visit www.kcwizards.com.
Mike Burns Youth Clinic
Prior to this Saturday's match, youth players can participate in a World Cup
Clinic hosted by former Wizard and U.S. World Cup Team member Mike Burns
from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on the Arrowhead Stadium field. A former
defender for the Wizards between 2001 and 2002, Burns played for the U.S. in
the 1994 and 1998 FIFA World Cup. The fee for the clinic costs $20 and
includes one youth and one companion ticket to the Wizards-Revolution match.
For more information contact Zach Rieger with the Wizards at 816-920-4285.
If the Mike Burns Clinic doesn't get your soccer juices flowing early
enough, two local girls high school soccer teams will be taking to the pitch
in Arrowhead prior to the clinic. St. Thomas Aquinas and Blue Valley
Northwest will play a full match beginning at 3:00 p.m. All fans that wish
to watch the high school game must purchase a ticket to the Wizards-New
England match in order to enter the stadium.
Wendy's Family Pack Night
The Wizards-Revolution game is the first in a series of games in which the
Kansas City Wizards, along with Wendy's Restaurants, will be offering its
popular Family Pack ticket and meal package. For the affordable price of
$44 dollars, a family of four will receive four general admission tickets to
the game, four hot dogs, four sodas, four coupons for a Wendy's Frosty, and
a soccer ball, all brought to you buy Wendy's. The Wizards and Wendy's have
a number of these Family Pack nights scheduled throughout the 2006 season,
making Wizards soccer an affordable and exciting way for a family to spend
an evening together. Be sure to visit www.kcwizards.com for more details on
and to purchase this and other ticket packages.
This Week's Training Schedule
Tuesday 4/11: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday 4/12: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.; Wizards at Missouri State - 7:00 p.m. Kickoff at Cooper Sports Complex
Thursday 4/13: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Friday 4/14: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m. (in Arrowhead
Stadium)
Saturday 4/15: Wizards vs. New England Revolution - 7:30 p.m. Kickoff at Arrowhead Stadium
*all training sessions are open to the media and take place at the Arrowhead
Training Facility unless otherwise noted.
