This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of June 7th:
• Kansas City Set for Two Game Road Trip to Colorado and Columbus
• Coach's Bar & Grill to Host Watch Parties for Both Wizards Games This Week
• "Celebrate America" at Arrowhead on July 3rd
• Freddy Adu is Coming to Arrowhead July 10th, Purchase a "Freddy Four Pack" Online
• Chris Klein Ties Mo Johnston for Second on Wizards All-Time Scoring Charts
• This Week with the Wizards
• Wizards Training Schedule
Kansas City Set For Two-Game Road Trip to Colorado and Columbus
The Kansas City Wizards wind down their grueling stretch of five games in 14 days with a two-game road trip to Colorado and Columbus this week. The Wizards will face the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday, June 9th at INVESCO Field, then head to Columbus to face the Columbus Crew at Crew Stadium on Saturday, June 12th. Kansas City is coming off a dramatic 2-1 win at Los Angeles this past weekend and will look to build on that momentum with the opportunity to be the spoiler and snap significant streaks in both cities this week.
The first stop in Colorado will be a crucial Western Conference showdown in what has been dubbed "The Fortress" by Colorado Rapids players. Colorado is currently riding a MLS record 16-game home unbeaten streak at INVESCO Field, posting a 10-0-6 record in their last 16 home games. Their last loss at home came back on May 17, 2003 when they fell to the MetroStars 2-0. In those 16 home games, the Rapids have outscored their opponents 23-10 and posted eight shutouts.
Despite sitting in the Western Conference cellar with 10 points (2-2-4), the Rapids have allowed a League-low seven goals in eight games (0.88 GAA), but they have scored just six goals in those eight games, the lowest goal output in the League. Their scoring attack is lead by Haitian striker Jean Philippe Peguero, who has scored three of the team's six goals.
On Saturday, the Wizards take on the league's hottest team in the Columbus Crew. The Crew has won four straight matches outscoring their opponents 7-2 in that stretch. The Crew's recent winning streak began after opening the season winless in their first five games (0-3-2) and looking like the same team that missed the playoffs last season. The turnaround has helped the Crew climb from the Eastern Conference cellar to within two points of first place Chicago.
The Wizards two-game road trip falls in the middle of five consecutive games on the road in June. Kansas City sits just four points behind the first place Los Angeles Galaxy and has one game in hand.
Coach's Bar & Grill to Host Watch Parties for Wednesday and Saturday Matches
The Kansas City Wizards and Coach's Bar & Grill will host Watch Parties for both Wizards matches this week. Wednesday's match against the Colorado Rapids will be broadcast live on HDNet beginning at 8:30 p.m. CT. Saturday's match against the Columbus Crew will be broadcast live on Metro Sports beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.
Both Watch Parties will take place at Coach's Bar & Grill in South Kansas City, located at 414 W. 103rd St., just off 103rd and Wornall. Remember to wear blue and cheer on your Wizards as they take on the Rapids and the Crew. For directions, call Coach's Bar and Grill at 816-941-2286 or log on to www.coach-s.com.
"Celebrate America" with Postgame Fireworks at Arrowhead on July 3rd
Come "Celebrate America" with the Wizards as they host the Dallas Burn on Saturday, July 3rd at Arrowhead Stadium. The match will kickoff 7:30 p.m. CT and will be followed by Kansas City's largest Independence Day weekend fireworks display set to music. The Wizards are expecting a large crowd for the Independence Day Weekend match, so fans are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to ensure the best seats available for the game and the postgame fireworks. Tickets are available by calling Ticketmaster at 816-931-3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Special Group tickets are available for groups of 20 or more by calling the Wizards office at 816-920-9300.
Check out Freddy Adu at Arrowhead on July 10th, Order the "Freddy Four Pack" Online
Fifteen-year-old soccer phenom Freddy Adu is coming to Arrowhead on Saturday July 10th when the Wizards take on D.C. United. The Wizards are offering a special "Freddy Four Pack" of tickets online. Fans can purchase four Field Level Reserved seats for just $60. Additional tickets can be purchased for $15 each. Log on to www.kcwizards.com and click on the Freddy Adu banner to purchase the "Freddy Four Pack" online.
Tickets are selling fast for this match, so fans are encouraged to purchase tickets early in order to ensure the best seating locations. Freddy Adu has been a large draw at all MLS stadiums he has played in this season. The following chart outlines the attendances at each stadium Freddy Adu and D.C. United have played at this season.
Date Opponent Stadium Attendance
April 10th at Los Angeles The Home Depot Center 27,000
April 17th at MetroStars Giants Stadium 31,419
May 1st at San Jose Spartan Stadium 17,667
May 22nd at Colorado INVESCO Field 31,443
May 29th at New England Gillette Stadium 19,314
June 5th at Chicago Soldier Field 25,810
25,442 average
Chris Klein Ties Mo Johnston for Second Place on Wizards Scoring Charts
With his game-winning assist against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday night, Wizards midfielder Chris Klein tied Mo Johnson for second place on the Wizards all-time scoring charts with 90 points. Klein registered an assist against New England on Wednesday to pull within one point and tied Johnston's scoring mark on Saturday with his second assist of the season.
Klein has scored 30 goals and 30 assists in his seven seasons in Kansas City, but still has a ways to go to reach Preki as the Wizards all-time scoring leader. Preki, the leading scorer in MLS history, has 234 career points in a Wizards jersey (69g, 96a).
Burciaga and Detter Partner with Moberly Soccer Association for Clinic Monday Night
Wizards defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. and forward Justin Detter will be in Moberly, MO on Monday, June 7th for a soccer clinic for youth players involved in the Moberly Soccer Association. The clinic will take place at Moberly High School from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information call Mike Rodriguez at 816-920-4744.
Garcia a Guest Speaker at the Lee's Summit Journal High School Sports Awards Banquet
Wizards defender Nick Garcia will be a guest speaker at the Lee's Summit Journal High School Sports Awards Banquet on Monday night. The festivities start at 7:00 p.m. at John Knox Village Pavilion in Lee's Summit, MO. Garcia will recognize premiere athletes from Lee's Summit High School, Lee's Summit North High School and Lee's Summit Community Christian School. For more information call the Lee's Summit Journal at 816-282-7001.
Conrad to Provide Keynote Address at the Cass County Sports Awards Banquet
Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad will be a guest speaker at the Cass County Sports Awards Banquet in Harrisonville, MO on Monday, June 7th. The event kicks off at the Pearl Grill Cafe located at 207 East Pearl Street on the Harrisonville Square at 7:30 p.m. Conrad along with others will award 16 high school students for their athletic achievements. For more information call 816-260-2370.
Wizards ACE Injury/Absence Report
Out
M – Preki: Fractured Fibula/Dislocated Ankle (L)
F – Igor Simutenkov: Torn Achilles Tendon (L)
Wizards Schedule for the Week of June 7, 2004 (All Times CT, subject to change):
Monday, June 7th: Off
Tuesday, June 8th: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Arrowhead Stadium Field; Evening departure for Colorado
Wednesday, June 9th: WIZARDS at Colorado Rapids, INVESCO Field at Mile High, Denver, CO, 8:30 p.m. CT, Broadcast Live on HDNet
Thursday, June 10th: Morning departure for Columbus; Afternoon training in Columbus
Friday, June 11th: Morning training in Columbus
Saturday, June 12th: WIZARDS at Columbus Crew, Crew Stadium, Columbus, OH, 6:30 p.m. CT, Broadcast Live on Metro Sports
