Wizards face Galaxy Thursday at Arrowhead

The Kansas City Wizards (10-10-6, 36 pts) host the Los Angeles Galaxy (5-13-6, 21 pts) on ESPN 2's MLS Primetime Thursday at 7 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium. The Wizards and their high-octane offense will be looking to help solidify their playoff hopes against the Galaxy. Kansas City is currently in 4th place in the East and 7th place overall in MLS, just two points behind Red Bull New York for 3rd and 6th, respectively. New York hosts Real Salt Lake Saturday.

Kansas City will be led by MVP and comeback player of the year candidate Eddie Johnson and his career-high 15 goals and 5 assists to date. Lately, Argentinean forward/midfielder Eloy Colombano has added a high-energy style of play that compliments Johnson. The 24-year-old, mid-year signing has recorded his first career goal and assist in the last two games.

MLS all-time win leader Kevin Hartman in goal and the dependable central defense pairing of Jimmy Conrad and Nick Garcia anchor Kansas City's defense. Kerry Zavagnin adds organization to the midfield while Carlos Marinelli adds creativity and Davy Arnaud and Sasha Victorine offer dependable two-way play.

The following benefits have been offered by the Kansas City Wizards for the game this Thursday at 7:00pm:

· Parking is free.

· Buy one playoff ticket, get one free playoff ticket for the first home playoff game. This two-for-one offer can be redeemed by bringing the ticket stub from the Wizards versus Galaxy game on 9/27/07 to (A) the Wizards front office at 8900 State Line Road from September 28th through the first playoff game or (B) bringing the 9/27/07 ticket stub to Arrowhead Stadium on the day of the first playoff game.

· A drawing for three kids to have a Wizards starting player (as chosen by the Wizards staff) visit their school; date TBD. All kids 14 and under can register, with an adult, at one of the three Fan Information booths inside Arrowhead Stadium.

The Wizards have already arranged for numerous attractions surrounding the match, including an expanded soccer celebration east of the stadium (which includes 40 booths), NASCAR driver David Ragan signing autographs before the game, a performance by the band Liverpool: A Tribute to the Beatles, a special pre-game tribute to Galaxy midfielder Cobi Jones and much more. The first 10,000 fans into the stadium will receive blue and white thundersticks courtesy of game-sponsor M&I Bank, and the game ball will be delivered to mid-field by jet pack. After the game there will be a fireworks show and then Wizards players signing autographs.

The match promises to be the most exciting Wizards match of the season as the team pushes to secure a spot in the 2007 MLS Cup Playoffs. Fans are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic entering the stadium and catch all the pre-game festivities. Timing for the game is as follows:

• Parking lots open: 3:30 p.m.
  
• Soccer Celebration: 4-7 p.m.
  
• Liverpool (A Tribute to the Beatles): 4:30-6:30 p.m.
  
• Stadium gates open: 5:30 p.m.
  

• Players warm-up: 6:05-6:43 p.m.
  

• Cobi Jones tribute: 6:45 p.m.
  
• Jet-pack delivers game ball: 6:58 p.m.
  
• Kickoff: 7 p.m.
  

• Fireworks show: 9 p.m. (approx.)
  
• Wizards autograph session: 9:15-9:45 p.m. (approx.)
  

• Post-game celebration at Martini Corner: 10 p.m. - close
  
  

After the match, Wizards players are scheduled to appear at Martini Corner (31st and Gillham) for drink and appetizer specials available for those with a ticket stub. Tickets are still available for the game at kcwizards.com or at any Ticketmaster outlet. All additional benefits listed above will be available for any fans that purchase tickets and attend Thursday.

Kansas City enters after back-to-back games that came down to the final moments. September 15, Kansas City defeated the Columbus Crew 3-2 at home on the strength of stoppage-time goals from Eddie Johnson and Scott Sealy. Saturday in Los Angeles, the Wizards were handed a similar defeat as Ante Ravoz gave Chivas USA the victory with a goal in the 92+ minute.

Former Wizards midfielder Chris Klein makes his return to Kansas City Thursday. Los Angeles won its last match in comeback fashion as Klein scored a brilliant goal midway through the second half for a 2-1 victory over FC Dallas. Klein's strike is currently second in the MLSnet Sierra Mist Goal of the Week fan voting.

MLS PLAYOFF RACE