This week with the Wizards - Headlines for week of October 12:
Number one seed in West on the line as Wizards host Galaxy on Saturday
The first place Kansas City Wizards will host the second place Los Angeles Galaxy at Arrowhead Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CT. At stake is the #1 seed in the Western Conference and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. The Wizards (13-9-7, 46 points) need a win or a tie against the Galaxy (11-8-10, 43 points) to clinch the Western Conference regular season title outright and head into the postseason as the #1 seed in the West.
Kansas City can also clinch the #1 seed with a loss by one goal to Los Angeles. Anything more than a one-goal loss would drop the Wizards below the Galaxy based on the third tie-breaker scenario as outlined by Major League Soccer. The order of tiebreakers is as follows: (1) head-to-head season series, (2) overall goal differential (against all teams), (3) overall goals scored (against all teams).
The Wizards currently lead the head-to-head series 1-0-2 and lead the goal differential tie-breaker +7 to the Galaxy's +3. A Wizards loss by two goals (2-0, 3-1, etc.) would even the goal differential and force the #1 seeding to be determined by the third standings tie-breaker of total goals. Los Angeles currently has 42 total goals while the Wizards have 37 total goals entering this weekend's meeting.
Kansas City has more to play for than just the #1 seed in the West, they are currently within two points of the Columbus Crew for the 2004 Supporter's Shield, given to the team with the best overall record in the league. The Wizards 46 points are just two behind the Crew's 48 points. A Wizards win and a Columbus loss would give Kansas City their second Supporter's Shield in club history, following the team's honor in 2000.
International soccer doubleheader on tap this weekend at Arrowhead
The Wizards and U.S. women's national team soccer doubleheader at Arrowhead is now less than one week away. On Saturday the Olympic Gold Medal-winning U.S. women's national team will take on Mexico at Arrowhead Stadium and will be followed by the Wizards MLS regular season finale against the Los Angeles Galaxy. The women's game will kickoff at 5 p.m. CT and immediately followed by the Wizards vs. Galaxy at approximately 7:30 p.m. CT.
The U.S. women, coming off an impressive gold-medal performance at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, will visit Kansas City as part of their 10-city "Fan Celebration Tour" that also marks the farewell appearances of national team stars Mia Hamm, Julie Foudy and Joy Fawcett.
Ticket prices for the Arrowhead soccer doubleheader will be club level: $32; lower level sideline: $27 and lower level endline: $17. Groups of 20 or more may purchase tickets in any seating area and receive a $2 per ticket discount by calling the Kansas City Wizards office at 816-920-9300.
Wizards season ticket holders and other individual ticket buyers who already have purchased tickets to the Wizards game on Saturday will need to upgrade their tickets through the mail or at the Wizards box office in order to attend the U.S. women's game. Wizards season tickets holders can purchase tickets to the doubleheader at the discounted rate of $30 club level / $25 lower level sideline / and $15 lower level endline general admission.
Individual tickets for the U.S. women's and Wizards doubleheader are on sale now through Ticketmaster and can be purchased by calling 816-931-3330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com.
Wizards playoff scenario
The Wizards have already clinched a berth in the postseason and home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs, but there is still a lot to play for in the final week of the season. The Wizards have a chance to clinch both the #1 seed in the West and the MLS Supporters Shield this weekend. The Wizards playoff scenario for clinching the #1 seed in the West and the Supporter's Shield is as follows:
Kansas City Wizards clinch No. 1 seed in Western Conference with:
(a) win vs. Los Angeles
(b) tie vs. Los Angeles
(c) loss vs. Los Angeles by one goal (1-0, 2-1, etc.)
Kansas City Wizards clinch Supporter's Shield with:
(a) win vs. Los Angeles and Columbus loss at Colorado
(b) win vs. Los Angeles by two goals (2-0, 3-1, etc.) and a Columbus tie at Colorado
Conrad continues bid for MLS Defender of the Year
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad continued his bid for MLS Defender of the Year with another incredible performance in the Wizards 0-0 tie against the defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes. Conrad anchored the Wizards back line that picked up their league-high 11th shutout of the season and maintaining their lead in the Western Conference.
Conrad has played all but one game as central defender for the Wizards this season and has been the vocal leader in the back helping the team maintain their defensive dominance despite a goalkeeper change two-thirds of the way through the season when Tony Meola went down with an Achilles injury.
The California native joined the Wizards prior to the 2003 season and has played a vital role in the Wizards run to the Western Conference final last season and the Wizards U.S. Open Cup Championship and run to the 2004 MLS Cup this season. He has been responsible in large part for the Wizards allowing a League-low 30 goals this season and have the team in line for the Western Conference regular season title and a shot at the Supporters Shield this weekend.
Tickets on sale now for Wizards home playoff game on Saturday
The Kansas City Wizards clinched home field advantage in the first round of the playoffs and will host Game 2 of the two-leg, first round playoff series. The Wizards will host their home playoff game on Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium, with the opponent still to be determined. Individual tickets 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 Wizards home playoff game on Oct. 30 are $22 adult/$16 youth (15 and under) for club level, $18 adult/$13 youth for lower level sideline reserved and $13 adult/$9 youth for general admission to "The Yard". 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". All unused season tickets and ticket vouchers can be exchanged at the Wizards box office for best available seating.
The Wizards will also offer the Wendy's Family Pack for their home playoff game. Fans can purchase a package of four tickets, four hot dogs, four soft drinks, four coupons for Wendy's Frostys and a soccer ball. The package is available for $54 for sideline reserved seats and $44 for endline general admission. Group tickets are available for groups of 20 or more for the discounted rate of $13 adult/$8 youth for sideline reserved and $11 adult/ $7 youth for general admission. Wendy's Family Packs and Group tickets can be purchased through the Wizards Box Office at the Stadium or by calling 816-920-9300.
Wizards Injury/Absence Report
M - Chris Klein - Out - Torn ACL (L)
M - Preki - Out - Ankle Surgery (L)
GK - Tony Meola - Questionable - Strained Achilles (R)
F - Davy Arnaud - Probable - MCL Sprain (L)
