This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of May 3rd:
Wizards Reserves Schedule Update
Wizards Host FC Dallas at Arrowhead Saturday, May 7th
The Kansas City Wizards will continue their two-game home stand this weekend
when they host FC Dallas at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday, May 7th. The
match will kickoff at 7:00 p.m. CT. The former Western Conference rivals
will meet for the first of two meetings this season.
FC Dallas has gone through the MLS version of "Extreme Makeover" since last year's disappointing season in which they missed the playoffs for the second straight year. During the offseason the team changed its name from the Dallas Burn to a more traditional soccer name of FC Dallas. With the name change came a logo change and color change along with redesigned jerseys. On the field, FC Dallas has brought in U.S. National Team defender Greg Vanney, veteran midfielder Richard Mulrooney and acquired the dangerous Carlos Ruiz from the Los Angeles Galaxy. As if that were not enough, FC Dallas will move into their new home, the Frisco Soccer and Entertainment Complex in early August. The result of all these changes - a first place standing in the Western Conference.
Another reason for FC Dallas' success so far this season has been the emergence of young forward Eddie Johnson. Though he's just 21 years old, the 2005 season marks Johnson's fifth year in MLS and he is considered one of the top young players not only in MLS, but also with the U.S. National Team.
Saturday's contest will feature four of the top scoring forwards in MLS over the last year. Between the Dallas duo of Eddie Johnson and Carlos Ruiz, the pair combined for 23 goals last season (though Ruiz's 11 goals came while he was with Los Angeles) and has scored a total of five goals this season. On the other side of the field, the Wizards forward combination of Davy Arnaud and Josh Wolff combined for 19 goals during the 2004 season. All four players finished in the top 11 in MLS in scoring during the 2004 season (Johnson T-1st, Ruiz T-3rd, Wolff T-7th, Arnaud T-11th).
Gutierrez to Undergo Knee Surgery Friday
Wizards midfielder and team captain Diego Gutierrez will undergo surgery on
his left knee on Friday, May 6th after suffering an injury to his patella
(knee cap) in a collision with D.C. United defender Clyde Simms last
weekend. Wizards team physician, Dr. Scott Luallin will perform the surgery
at the Heartland Spine & Specialty Hospital in Overland Park, KS.
More information, including details on the extent of the injury and will be determined following the completion of the surgery. Gutierrez is expected to miss six to eight weeks.
"New Method" to Perform in Lot C as Part of Church & Family Night May 7th
For the second consecutive week, pregame festivities outside Arrowhead
Stadium will feature a concert in the parking lot prior to the Wizards game.
As part of the Church & Family Night activities, the Christian band "New
Method" will perform for fans on stage in Lot C, along with a local band,
"Barjudah". "Barjudah" will take the stage at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed
by "New Method" at 6:00 p.m.
Discovery Channel's "Greatest American" Road Show Comes to Arrowhead May 7th
The Discovery Channel's "Greatest American" Road Show will stop at Arrowhead
Stadium on Saturday, May 7th prior to the Wizards game against FC Dallas.
The Tour Bus will promote the Discovery Channel's "Greatest American"
program, a TV series that will air this summer on the Discovery Channel,
hosted by NBC's Today Show Co-Anchor Matt Lauer.
The Discovery Channel's "Greatest American" is a television event that asks Americans to decide who they think is the greatest influence on our lives and who we are as a nation. Nominees can be living or dead, and can come from any field: politics, the military, industry, exploration, the arts, civil rights, entertainment, science or athletics.
The "Greatest American" Road Show tour bus will be set up on Soccer Street, located along the East side of Arrowhead Stadium by parking Lots C & D. Fans will be able to participate in various events and vote for the "Greatest American". Events will take place outside the Stadium beginning at 4:00 p.m. and will go until kickoff at 7:00 p.m.
"Greatest American" premieres on Sunday, June 5, at 7 p.m. CT on the Discovery Channel and will air each Sunday in June. For more information on the Discovery Channel's "Greatest American", log on to www.discoverychannel.com.
Wizards Reserves Schedule Update
The Kansas City Wizards Reserves match that was originally scheduled for
last Sunday, May 1st against D.C. United has been rescheduled for Thursday,
July 21st. The match will kickoff at 10:00 a.m. CT and will be held at the
Arrowhead Outdoor Training Facility.
WIZARDS 2005 RESERVE LEAGUE SCHEDULE
Date Opponents Time (CT)/Result
Sunday, April 17, 2005 at MetroStars T 0-0
Sunday, April 24, 2005 at San Jose Earthquakes T 0-0
Sunday, May 22, 2005 at D.C. United 9:00 a.m.
Sunday, May 29, 2005 San Jose Earthquakes 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, June 5, 2005 at New England Revolution 9:00 a.m.
Saturday, June 18, 2005 at Chicago Fire 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 26, 2005 Chivas USA 10:00 a.m.
Thursday, July 21, 2005 D.C. United 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, September 18, 2005 Los Angeles Galaxy 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 2, 2005 Chicago Fire 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 9, 2005 New England Revolution 10:00 a.m.
Sunday, October 16, 2005 at F.C. Dallas 10:00 a.m.
TBD D.C. United TBD
All dates and times subject to change.
Wizards Injury/Absence Report
M - Diego Gutierrez - Out - Knee Injury (L)
M - Doug Lascody - Out - 2nd Degree Ankle Sprain (R)
M - John Minagawa-Webster - Out - 2nd Degree Ankle Sprain (R)
M - Sasha Victorine - Probable - Hamstring Strain (L)
D - Alex Zotinca - Probable - Adductor Strain (R)
