Weekly update: Wizards need goals

Wizards Host Game 2 vs. San Jose at Arrowhead on Saturday
The Kansas City Wizards will host the San Jose Earthquakes in Game 2 of their two-leg, aggregate goal playoff series at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. The Wizards trail the total goal series 2-0 after giving up two goals at San Jose last Sunday.

The Wizards need to win by three goals on Saturday to win the first round series and advance to the Western Conference Final. If the Wizards win by two goals Saturday, and the series is tied on aggregate goals at the end of 90 minutes, the teams would then play two, fifteen minute, golden-goal overtime periods. If the series is still tied after the golden-goal, overtime periods, the winner will be decided by penalty kicks.

The Wizards have experienced tremendous success at home during the postseason. In their last seven home games in postseason play, the Wizards are 6-0-1 and have outscored their opponents 15-3 in those seven games. In each of their last three postseason home games, the Wizards have defeated their opponents by at least two goals, beating Colorado 2-0 in 2003, Los Angeles 4-1 in 2002 and Miami 3-0 in 2001.

The Wizards need also look no further than Saturday's opponent, the San Jose Earthquakes, as inspiration for making a two-goal comeback. Last season, the top-seeded Earthquakes lost 2-0 at Los Angeles in Game 1 of their first round playoff series. In Game Two, the 'Quakes surrendered the first two goals to the Galaxy before scoring four unanswered goals in regulation and eventually netting the game-winner in overtime to advance to the Western Conference Final and eventually on to win the 2003 MLS Cup Championship.

Kansas City will rely heavily on the forward duo of Josh Wolff and Davy Arnaud. The two strikers combined for 19 of the team's 38 goals in 2004, including five game-winners, and 15 of the team's 34 assists. The defensive unit, anchored by MLS Defender of the Year frontrunner Jimmy Conrad, along with Nick Garcia, Alex Zotinca and Jose Burciaga will also be asked to shutdown the potent Earthquake attack. It's a task they accomplished three times in 2004 by shutting out San Jose on three consecutive occasions - twice in the final two regular season meetings and once in the U.S. Open Cup Semifinal.

Playoff Tickets Available Through Ticketmaster & Wizards Box Office
Tickets for the Wizards home playoff game on Saturday, October 30th are on sale now through Ticketmaster and can be purchased by calling 816-931-3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices for the playoff game on October 30th are $13 adult/$9 youth (15 and under) for General Admission to "The Yard", $18 adult/$13 youth for lower level sideline reserved and $22 adult/$16 youth for club level.

As always, Zard Card holders can purchase $5 general admission seats at the Wizards Box Office for themselves and each accompanying family member in "The Yard". The Wizards will also offer the popular Wendy's Family Pack as well as special group pricing for groups of 20 or more. Wendy's Family Packs and Group tickets can be purchased through the Wizards Box Office at the Stadium or by calling 816-920-9300.

Fans entering the stadium for the Wizards playoff game will receive a pair of Thundersticks (while supplies last) and a coupon for a free dozen Krispy Kreme doughnuts if the Wizards score two goals. In addition, the first 5,000 youth 15 years and younger in the gates will receive a complimentary pass to the Crown Center Ice Terrace.

WESTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS (No. 1) vs. SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES (No. 4)
Game 1: Kansas City Wizards 0 at San Jose Earthquakes 2
San Jose leads 2-0 on aggregate goals
Game 2: San Jose Earthquakes at Kansas City Wizards - Saturday @ 7:30 p.m. CT; Arrowhead Stadium - Kansas City, Mo.

LOS ANGELES GALAXY (No. 2) vs. COLORADO RAPIDS (No. 3)
Game 1: Los Angeles Galaxy 0 at Colorado Rapids 1
Colorado leads 1-0 on aggregate goals
Game 2: Colorado Rapids at Los Angeles Galaxy - Saturday @ 9 p.m. CT; The Home Depot Center - Carson, Calif.

EASTERN CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS

COLUMBUS CREW (No. 1) vs. NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION (No. 4)
Game 1: Columbus Crew 0 at New England Revolution 1
New England leads 1-0 on aggregate goals
Game 2: New England Revolution at Columbus Crew - Sunday @ 4 p.m. ET; Columbus Crew Stadium - Columbus, Ohio TV: ESPN2

D.C. UNITED (No. 2) vs. METROSTARS (No. 3)
Game 1: D.C. United 2 at MetroStars 0
D.C. United leads 2-0 on aggregate goals
Game 2: MetroStars at D.C. United - Saturday @ 6 p.m. CT; RFK Stadium - Washington, D.C.

Jimmy Conrad named a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad was named one of three finalists for the MLS Defender of the Year award, announced Monday by Major League Soccer. Conrad joins Columbus defender Robin Fraser and MetroStars defender Eddie Pope as finalists for the league honor.

Monday's announcement marked the first of a series of three Monday announcements leading up to MLS Cup 2004, which will reveal all the finalists for the remainder of the League's annual year-end awards. Finalists for the seven other year-end awards will be made public on each of the next two Mondays - Nov. 1 and Nov. 8.

The 2004 MLS Honda MVP will be announced live on ESPNews on Nov. 11 at 3 p.m. CT kicking off the 2004 MLS Cup Weekend, culminating in the league's championship game to be played on Nov. 14 at The Home Depot Center (2:30 p.m. CT - live on ABC Sports). The winners of every other honor will be unveiled in the week leading up to MLS Cup 2004.

Conrad's nomination for MLS Defender of the Year honors comes after the 27-year-old defender enjoyed the best season of his six-year career. Conrad anchored the best defensive unit in MLS that allowed just 30 goals in 2004, the lowest in MLS, while also posting a league-high 12 shutouts on the year. Conrad's leadership in the back helped solidify the Wizards defense despite a goalkeeper transition in mid-August after Tony Meola was forced out with an injury. His efforts helped lead the Wizards to a league high 14 wins on the year and a share of the best record in MLS.

This week with the Wizards
Wizards players visit area Dairy Queen stores
A number of Wizards players will be making appearances at area Dairy Queen stores throughout the week. Players will be available for autographs and pictures. The events are free and open to the public.

Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Taylor Graham, Wizards Defender
Dairy Queen, 400 SE Douglas Street, Lee's Summit, Mo. 64063-4247
Call 816-524-7470 for directions

Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Alex Zotinca, Wizards Defender/Midfielder
Dairy Queen, 434 W 85th Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64114-2806
Call 816-523-1106 for directions

Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Diego Walsh, Wizards Midfielder
Dairy Queen, 701 S. Harrisonville, Mo. 64701-0488
Call 816-380-4762 for directions

Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Dynamo the Dragon, Wizards Mascot
Dairy Queen, 930 Skyway, Atchison, Kan. 66002-2754
Call 913-367-2878 for directions

Thursday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Jose Burciaga, Wizards Defender
Dairy Queen, 1669 South Odell, Marshall, Mo. 65340-3325
Call 660-886-2000 for directions

Thursday, Oct. 28 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Jack Jewsbury, Wizards Midfielder
Dairy Queen, 6904 Hunter Street, Raytown, Mo. 64133-5634
Call 816-358-1183 for directions

Brian Bliss holds coaches clinic for Oak Grove Soccer
Wizards assistant coach Brian Bliss will host a coaching clinic for Oak Grove Soccer on Thursday evening from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m.

Wizards Injury/Absence Report