Weekly Update: Preseason begins

WOLFF SCORES TWO IN PRESEASON OPENER

The Wizards began their slate of preseason games in winning fashion Saturday night, recording a 5-0 win over the Arizona Sahuaros of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) at the Grand Canyon University Soccer Field. The Wizards played three lineups in the game, with each group playing 30 minutes of the 90 minute contest.

Forward Josh Wolff scored two goals for Kansas City, the first assisted by former Sahuaro Roger Espinoza just six minutes in. The Honduran midfielder gained possession off a short corner and crossed the ball in to Wolff, who made no mistake with his header. Wolff struck again just three minutes later, this time off a feed from Zoltan, which the American striker hit first time into the back of the net.

Zoltan went from provider to scorer just one minute later, notching a goal off a pass from rookie Mauro Fuzetti. Fuzetti would grab a goal for himself not long after that, hitting a hard shot past the goalkeeper 16 minutes in.

Trialist Alexei Casian scored the Wizards' last goal of the evening, a diving header from the left in the 77th minute.

The Wizards will continue their slate of preseason games in Arizona this Wednesday at 12 p.m. CT against the San Jose Earthquakes, before playing the Quakes again at the same time on Saturday.

On February 16th, the team will fly back to Kansas City for a five-day break between sessions, returning to Phoenix on Sunday, February 21st. The team will play both of Los Angeles' MLS teams in their first two fixtures after the break, hosting Chivas USA at 12 p.m. CT on February 24th, before playing the Los Angeles Galaxy on February 26th.

The team will then host the Columbus Crew on March 4th at 12:00 p.m. CT, before bringing their slate of games to a close with a game against NCAA Division II Grand Canyon University on March 7th. The team and technical staff will fly back to Kansas City the next day, resuming regular training on Wednesday, March 10th. The Wizards will open their 2010 MLS season on March 27th against D.C. United at 7:30 p.m. at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

The Kansas City Wizards began training in Phoenix, Arizona last week, signaling the start of a five-week preseason camp to prepare the team for the 2010 MLS season. Nine teams from across Major League Soccer will join the Wizards in the Arizona capital, part of an effort by the organization to create a consistent preseason base for multiple MLS teams.

The Wizards are training at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix, just 30 miles away from the Kansas City Royals' training base in Surprise, Arizona.

Daily training updates, videos and match reports from Phoenix will be available throughout the preseason on www.kcwizards.com and Hillcrest Road, the official blog of the Kansas City Wizards (www.hillcrestroadblog.com).

Wizards Preseason Schedule:

MCKENZIE WAIVED, WIZARDS TRIM ROSTER:

The Wizards waived defender Rauwshan McKenzie and dropped defender Ofori Sarkodie, midfielder Eric Gehrig and forward Kyle Brown from their preseason roster this weekend.

A fourth round draft pick by the Wizards in 2008, McKenzie started five contests for Kansas City last season. McKenzie also made one appearance for the Wizards in 2008, starting against the then-USL Seattle Sounders in a quarterfinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Sarkodie, formerly of Indiana University, was drafted by the Wizards in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Former Loyola University Chicago midfielder Eric Gehrig and former Austin Aztex forward Kyle Brown joined the Wizards as trialists before the 2010 preseason.

WIZARDS ACQUIRE INTERNATIONAL ROSTER SPOT:

The Kansas City Wizards on Wednesday acquired an international roster spot from D.C. United in exchange for forward Adam Cristman.

Cristman was plagued by injuries in his one year in Kansas City, suffering a broken foot in the 2009 pre-season that kept him out of action for several months. Cristman also dealt with a hamstring strain during his recovery. In all, the forward made five appearances for the Wizards in 2009, three of which came as a starter.

A native of Glen Allen, Virginia, Cristman will be having a homecoming of sorts, as he also played college soccer at the University of Virginia. The move will also see Cristman reunite with former Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo, who was hired as D.C. United's head coach late last year.

Kansas City will open its season against Cristman, Onalfo and the rest of D.C. United on March 27th at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

HAITI RELIEF AUCTION EXTENDED:

The MLS W.O.R.K.S. and UNICEF-sponsored auction to benefit child victims of the earthquake in Haiti has been extended to this Friday, the 13th of February. The extended auction features new items that were not available before, including two game-used MLS match balls signed by the Kansas City Wizards.

A game-used authentic jersey signed by Wizards midfielder Roger Espinoza is also available for auction.

To bid on these and many other pieces of autographed MLS memorabilia, log on to www.auction.mlsnet.com and click on "HAITI RELIEF AUCTION." Proceeds from the sales will be donated to UNICEF.

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.

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