Weekly Update: Wizards' new home

CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON NEW STADIUM


With the approval of the Unified Government of Kansas City, Kansas in a Tuesday special session, the Kansas City Wizards were finally able to start construction on their new home at Village West on Wednesday. In addition to an 18,000 seat soccer-specific stadium, construction will also include a youth field complex, located just one mile from the stadium site.

"This is a great day for soccer in Kansas City," OnGoal CEO Robb Heineman said. "After a lengthy process to keep the team in the metropolitan area, OnGoal and the Kansas City Wizards are thrilled to receive final approval for our stadium and fields complex. There are so many people to thank, including Mayor Reardon and the Unified Government, Governor Parkinson and countless others. Our vision will now become reality for our supporters and organization. We have designed the first authentic American soccer stadium that will showcase and help grow the beautiful game of soccer, while providing all of the modern amenities expected from a modern American sports facility. The stadium has been designed to deliver the highest-level guest experience in an intimate, loud and intimidating atmosphere to build a true home field advantage for the Wizards."

The bulldozers began rolling the very next day, and as it turned out Heineman himself was at the helm. The OnGoal CEO took charge of one of the yellow machines to move the first pile of dirt from the site of the Wizards' future home. Video of Heineman's groundbreaking, interviews, renderings and more information about the stadium can be found at www.kcwizards.com and on Hillcrest Road, the official blog of the Kansas City Wizards (www.hillcrestroadblog.com)

SEASON TICKET SEAT SELECTION THIS SATURDAY
Season ticket holders and fans who are considering purchasing season tickets are invited to CommunityAmerica Ballpark this Saturday, January 23rd, for the Wizards' annual seat selection event.

Current season ticketholders can come by the stadium anytime between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm. Fans who are considering purchasing season tickets are invited to come by between 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm. Wizards season tickets start at $180 for 18 games, and include a season parking pass.

There will also be a huge merchandise sale during the event, and fans are encouraged to load up on Wizards gear that will be offered at a big discount. All fans that come by the event will also receive a flyer for a 12% discount at the Best Buy at the Legends.

Fans can find out more information about the event by calling the Wizards at 888-4KC-GOAL.

MLS AND UNICEF TEAM UP TO HELP HAITI EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS
On January 12th, Haiti suffered the most devastating earthquake in its recorded history. The event left approximately 3 million people without homes, food or medical attention. Half of the affected are thought to be children.

In response to the disaster, MLS W.O.R.K.S. has teamed with UNICEF to assist the children affected in this disaster - many of whom have been left without the food, clean water, shelter, and medicine they need to survive. To donate to UNICEF's cause, visit this link: http://www.unicefusa.org/partners/sports/major-league-soccer.html.

Starting tomorrow, MLSnet.com will also be running a special online auction to benefit the victim's of Haiti's earthquake. Autographed game-worn jerseys, balls, and more MLS memorabilia will be up for bid on MLSnet.com starting at noon on Wednesday.

WIZARDS ADD FIVE IN SUPERDRAFT, INCLUDING HERMANN TROPHY WINNER BUNBURY
The Kansas City Wizards made history at Thursday's MLS SuperDraft in Philadelphia, becoming the first team to add the son of a former MLS player to their team. It was only convenient that 4th overall choice Teal Bunbury's father Alex played for the Wizards as well.

"It certainly wasn't something we were trying to do, but we're happy with the result," Head Coach and Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "[Bunbury] is a player with a huge upside, and we're very excited to have him."

Bunbury enjoyed a distinguished two-year career with the University of Akron, scoring an NCAA-high 17 goals last season en route to a berth in the national championship game, where the Zips lost on penalty kicks to the University of Virginia. For his performances, Bunbury nabbed the 2009 Hermann Trophy, awarded annually by the Missouri Athletic Club to the nation's top college soccer player.

"It's been my life-long dream to play professionally, and now that I have it, I feel blessed," Bunbury said.

The Wizards had a successful draft outside of the first round as well, picking up North Carolina State wing back Korede Aiyegbusi in the second round, San Diego State defender Nick Cardenas and Michigan forward Mauro Fuzetti in the third, and Indiana defender Ofori Sarkodie in the fourth.

Be sure and check www.kcwizards.com in the coming days for video interviews and in-depth features on all of the new Wizards recruits.

WIZARDS HOST 2010 OPEN TRYOUTS:
The Kansas City Wizards will hold its 3rd annual open tryouts from March 13-14, 2010. The tryout cost is $200, and players can sign up and get all the information on the tryouts by visiting www.kcwizards.com/opentryout. Any additional questions can be sent to tryouts@kcwizards.com.

"The last two years we have been pleased with the number of talented players who have taken part in our open tryouts," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "We are always looking to improve our roster, and these tryouts give us a chance to get a look at players who might be trying to take a less conventional route to MLS."

Participants will take part in scrimmages Saturday, with the top players called back for Sunday's session. Finalists will then get the opportunity to tryout with the Wizards first team in March with the chance of securing a contract. Final tryout location and times will be provided to each participant closer to the event.

The Wizards held an open tryout in 2008 for the first time since their inaugural 1996 season, with the event drawing over 200 players from 15 different countries. Two players eventually signed for Kansas City; midfielders Kevin Souter and Nelson Pizarro. Both went on to play in MLS matches for the Wizards in 2008, and Souter started the final four games of the regular season and both MLS Cup Playoff matches for Kansas City. Another 200 participants took part in the tryouts in 2009. Numerous talented participants stood out, and five of the open tryout players were invited back during the season to train with the Wizards.

2010 SEASON-TICKET PACKAGES NOW ON SALE:
The Kansas City Wizards are now accepting renewals from current season ticket holders and new season ticket deposits for the 2010 Major League Soccer season. The Wizards will begin the 2010 campaign with a home match on Saturday, March 27, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. CT against D.C. United at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Kansas City, a charter member of Major League Soccer, will play its 15th season in 2010.

Fans who renew their season tickets or purchase new season-ticket packages will retain an early priority number that will determine seat locations in Kansas City's new stadium. To renew season tickets or place a deposit for new season tickets, call the Wizards locally at 913-387-3400, toll-free at 1-888-4KC-GOAL or visit www.kcwizards.com.

Prices for the 2010 Kansas City Wizards season at CommunityAmerica Ballpark will remain unchanged, with the exception of some premium seating sections. Season tickets start at just $180 for an 18-game schedule that includes 15 regular-season MLS contests and three "Special Game" tickets. The Wizards will offer FREE parking for all matches at CommunityAmerica Ballpark again in 2010.

After the season opener, the Wizards will travel to face the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, April 3 at 7:30 p.m. CT. The full 2010 MLS schedule will be announced in January of next year, and Kansas City's broadcast schedule will be announced leading up to the start of the 2010 campaign.

2010 SEASON TICKET PRICES