This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of April 25, 2006:
Wizards & Crew Round Two
The Kansas City Wizards (3-1-0, 9 pts) will be looking to rebound this
weekend when they travel to Columbus to take on the Crew (1-2-1, 4 pts) on
Saturday, April 29th at 6:30 p.m. CT. Saturday's match will be broadcast in
High Definition live on HDNet. Columbus is coming off of its first win of
the season, topping the defending MLS Cup Champion Los Angeles Galaxy 1-0 in
extra-time last week. Kansas City suffered its first setback of the season
last Sunday, falling 2-1 at FC Dallas on a late extra-time Hoops tally less
than one minute before the final whistle blew. Despite the loss, the
Wizards are sitting in second place in the Eastern Conference just one point
behind unbeaten D.C. United (3-0-1, 10 pts). Kansas City, D.C. and Dallas
are all tied for the league-lead with three wins on the season. The Crew
currently sits in a tie for third place in the East with the New England
Revolution with four points on the year. The Wizards kicked off their
three-game win streak to start this season with a 3-1 win over the Crew on
opening day in Arrowhead Stadium on April 1st. The opening day win snapped
a three-game winless streak against the Crew, and narrowed the gap in the
all-time series which now stands at 11-13-4 in the Crew's favor. The two
teams split the series in Columbus last year with the Wizards taking the
first meeting 4-0 on May 14th, their largest margin of victory in 2005, and
the Crew claimed the second on July 23rd 2-0.
The Frisco Roller Coaster
After entering week four as the only team in the league with maximum points,
the Wizards battled Western Conference-leading FC Dallas in one the most
exciting contests in MLS this season. The Hoops went ahead in the fourth
minute on an open net goal after goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi was taken out by a
group of players that fell into him. Both sides battled for the remainder
of regulation with neither side tallying a goal until Kansas City's Alex
Zotinca rifled home a game-tying goal in the third minute of extra-time.
Zotinca found himself on the back end of a Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. corner
kick that forward Josh Wolff deflected out of the goalmouth and into the
path of the onrushing Zotinca. The Wizards' hopes of walking away from
Pizza Hut Park with one point and its unbeaten record still intact ended
less than two minutes later. Dallas' Aaron Pitchkolan burned the back of
the net after exceptional individual effort and a couple of fortunate
bounces that led to his game-winner. FCD remained unbeaten on the season at
3-0-1 and is now tied with D.C. United for the best record in the league.
The two goals allowed were the most the Wizards defense has given up this
year, and the one goal scored tied Kansas City's season-low.
Watching The Wizards On The Road
Even though the Wizards are on the road this weekend, fans can still gather
with each other to root on their team at one of the Wizards' Official Watch
Party Network sites sponsored by Budweiser. Fans can band with their blue
and white clothed brethren as they cheer on their Wizards at Buffalo Wild
Wings in Raytown, 810 Zone in Leawood, a pair of Paddy O'Quigley's in Lee's
Summit, and Aces & 8's in Shawnee. Visit www.kcwizards.com for more
information on this great way to follow the Wizards and for drink and
appetizer specials at selected locations on select dates.
Play Like The Pros
Following this weekend's match in Columbus the Wizards will return to
Arrowhead Stadium to host the Chicago Fire on Saturday, May 6th at 7:30 p.m.
CT, it will be the Wizards fifth game against an Eastern Conference foe
through their first six games of the season. Next Saturday's match will
also be the first time Kansas City area youth will get the chance to "Play
Like the Pros." On select home dates throughout the season Metro area youth
clubs can play a 15-minute scrimmage against another area team on the same
field that the Wizards play on. Arrangements can also be made for BBQ's to
be provided in the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot so the teams can tailgate
between their games and the Wizards game. For more information on the
Wizards' "Play Like the Pros" program, including available openings and
dates, contact the Kansas City Wizards' Sales Department at 816-920-9300.
Archdiocese to Visit Arrowhead
The Wizards' May 6th game against the Chicago Fire will also be their annual
Church & Family night at Arrowhead Stadium. In conjunction with the event
the Wizards will be welcoming Bishop Robert W. Finn, Archdiocese of Kansas
City-St. Joseph, for a Vigil Mass prior to the match. The mass is scheduled
to start at 5:00 p.m. in Arrowhead Stadium's Indoor Practice Facility.
There will also be a picnic area set-up in the parking lot following the
mass prior to the start of the Wizards/Fire match at 7:30 p.m. Parishioners
must supply their own food and beverages. A donation of $3 to the Central
City School Fund will be made for every ticket purchased through the
Diocese. For more information on the event contact Patty Montes at
816-756-1850 ext. 553, or at montes@diocesekcsj.org.
This Week's Training Schedule
Tuesday 4/25: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday 4/26: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Thursday 4/27: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Friday 4/28: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 10:30 a.m.; Depart Arrowhead for
KCI 11:30 p.m.
Saturday 4/29: Wizards at Columbus Crew - 6:30 p.m. Kickoff at Crew Stadium
(live on HDNet)
* All training sessions are open to the media and take place at the Arrowhead Training Facility unless otherwise noted.
