This Week with the Wizards - Headlines for Week of April 19, 2006:
Perfection: 3-0-0
The only team in Major League Soccer with a perfect record, the first-place Kansas City Wizards travel to Texas this weekend to face Western Conference-leading FC Dallas on Sunday, April 23rd. The match will be nationally televised live on ESPN2 at 4:00 p.m. CT. Off to their first 3-0-0 start in team history, the Wizards lead the Eastern Conference by two points over D.C. United (2-0-1) by virtue of their three-game maximum nine points. FC Dallas, also at 2-0-1, is the only other undefeated team remaining in MLS. In addition to Sunday's match being a showdown between the first-place teams in the Eastern and Western Conferences, it will also mark the first time that Wizards' forward Eddie Johnson will face his former club. Johnson broke into MLS with Dallas in 2001 and played five seasons for the Hoops before being acquired by the Wizards in a trade this past off-season. Kansas City is 15-13-6 all-time against FC Dallas, and dating back to June 21st, 2000 the Wizards have lost just three times in the last 17 meetings. Last year's matches both ended in draws, 3-3 in Kansas City and 2-2 in Dallas. Immediately following the game on ESPN2, both teams' reserve squads will take to the field for a reserve division match, the reserve match will not be televised.
Back In Black...and Blue
2005 MLS Defender of the Year Jimmy Conrad made his 2006 debut in high fashion heading home what proved to be the game-winning goal just over three minutes into the match, and only 15 days after he underwent surgery for a dual sports hernia. Conrad's goal and the Wizards' stout defense led Kansas City to its third-consecutive win to start the season, downing Eastern Conference foe New England Revolution 1-0, handing the Revs their first loss of the season. Conrad's goal was also the first allowed by New England this year. Goalkeeper Bo Oshoniyi only had to make two saves, albeit both were huge, for his first shutout of the season. Last weekend's win also marked the first time this season that head coach Bob Gansler had his entire roster available for a match this year.
Everybody Is A Winner
Not only was Jimmy Conrad's goal in the fourth minute the winner for the Wizards, it was also the winner for all of the fans in attendance on Saturday night. Since the Wizards scored before the eight minute-ten second mark, all ticketed fans that remembered to keep their ticket stubs won a free appetizer at the 810 Zone in Leawood, Kansas. Every game this season, if the Wizards score a goal in the first eight minutes and ten seconds of the match fans can present their ticket stub at the 810 Zone up to a week after the match (close of business on the 7th day) and receive a specially selected appetizer courtesy of the 810 Zone and the Kansas City Wizards. Also be sure to catch Wizards players and personal live on WHB 810 AM on Wednesday's before every home match this season.
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. After a successful first go-around, the Wizards' Watch Party Network has grown by one and the technical difficulties that were encountered at another establishment have be rectified, giving fans even more opportunities to band with their blue and white clothed brethren as they cheer on their first-place Wizards. Buffalo Wild Wings in Raytown, 810 Zone in Leawood, and a pair of Patty O'Quigley's in Lee's Summit will once again welcome fans to watch to Wizards take on FC Dallas this Sunday at 4:00 p.m. And if you are looking for a place to gather in Shawnee, Aces & 8's has been added to the Official Budweiser Watch Party Network lineup. Be sure to visit www.kcwizards.com for more information on this great way to follow the Wizards on the road.
This Week's Training Schedule
Tuesday 4/18: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Wednesday 4/19: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Thursday 4/20: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Friday 4/21: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:30 a.m.
Saturday 4/22: Training 9:00 a.m. to approx. 11:00 a.m.; Depart Arrowhead for KCI 2:15 p.m.
Sunday 4/23: Wizards at FC Dallas - 4:00 p.m. Kickoff at Pizza Hut Park (live on ESPN2)
*all training sessions are open to the media and take place at the Arrowhead Training Facility unless otherwise noted.
