See the goal here:
Or here:
The shot
The celebration
Monday, March 31, 2008
Lopez up for Sierra Mist Goal of the Week
In the words of our friend from Kazakhstan, VERY NICE. El Piojo debuts with a goal, a near-assist and a Sierra Mist Goal of the Week nomination. To vote for Piojo, click here.
See the goal here:
Or here:
The shot
The celebration
See the goal here:
Or here:
The shot
The celebration
Some Things to Chew On
Many of you already know about the unofficial but highly regarded pre-game tailgate done by the guys of Wings of a Sparrow (this year located in the blue lot). Well, now "Soccer Chef" has started up a blog giving the latest on the pre-game food options. Check it out at www.wizardstailgate.blogspot.com.
Welcome to the blogosphere guys. It's a blast.
Also, check out some pictures from our friend Thad from yesterday's reserve game here. See the love you Cauldron folks got from MLS Underground here and the love the Wizards got from Soccer by Ives here.
Lots of good things going on in Wizards land everyone. It's tough trying to keep up!
Welcome to the blogosphere guys. It's a blast.
Also, check out some pictures from our friend Thad from yesterday's reserve game here. See the love you Cauldron folks got from MLS Underground here and the love the Wizards got from Soccer by Ives here.
Lots of good things going on in Wizards land everyone. It's tough trying to keep up!
Happy Monday
Isn't it a happy one? Not only did we beat D.C. United 2-0 Saturday, but the reserves captured a 4-0 victory over Drake Sunday afternoon. What some people don't yet know, is that the KCW Juniors U-16 squad put a 4-1 whooping on a team from St. Louis Soccer Club Sunday on Field 3, the new turf field at the Swope Park Training Center. What a weekend!
Details from the reserve match:
KCW Reserves:
Kronberg, William, McKenzie, Hohlbein, Pizarro, Souter, Lowery, Morsink, Kraus, Colombano, Sealy
Goals:
44th minute - own goal. Eloy Colombano got his head to a hard corner kick that deflected around in the box and off a Drake player for the opening goal.
50th minute- Lowery from Colombano. Colombano was trouble for Drake again, winning the end line on the left and serving a low cross through the area. Scott Sealy dummied the ball and Lowery was there for a back-post blast from 8 yards out.
54th minute- Morsink from Colombano. Colombano solidified his status as man of the match with a second assist and third goal created. This time up the right, Colombano served diagonally to Morsink up the left channel behind the Drake defense. Morsink smartly nodded the ball down under the 'keeper into the side netting for a 3-0 Wizards lead.
83rd minute- Kraus from William. Yomby got free up the right well behind the Drake defense. His hard, low service behind the defense eluded the goalkeeper and Kraus slid to tap the ball into the open net at the back post against his former rivals. Kraus went to Creighton.
KCW Juniors:
Didn't see too much of the match, but the goal-scorers were Ken Stanley, Anthony Jimenez, Jordan Saybounkham and Alex Pilsl. Great job Juniors!
Details from the reserve match:
KCW Reserves:
Kronberg, William, McKenzie, Hohlbein, Pizarro, Souter, Lowery, Morsink, Kraus, Colombano, Sealy
Goals:
44th minute - own goal. Eloy Colombano got his head to a hard corner kick that deflected around in the box and off a Drake player for the opening goal.
50th minute- Lowery from Colombano. Colombano was trouble for Drake again, winning the end line on the left and serving a low cross through the area. Scott Sealy dummied the ball and Lowery was there for a back-post blast from 8 yards out.
54th minute- Morsink from Colombano. Colombano solidified his status as man of the match with a second assist and third goal created. This time up the right, Colombano served diagonally to Morsink up the left channel behind the Drake defense. Morsink smartly nodded the ball down under the 'keeper into the side netting for a 3-0 Wizards lead.
83rd minute- Kraus from William. Yomby got free up the right well behind the Drake defense. His hard, low service behind the defense eluded the goalkeeper and Kraus slid to tap the ball into the open net at the back post against his former rivals. Kraus went to Creighton.
KCW Juniors:
Didn't see too much of the match, but the goal-scorers were Ken Stanley, Anthony Jimenez, Jordan Saybounkham and Alex Pilsl. Great job Juniors!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Fully thawed and back to work....
What a night! Thank you to all who came out to CAB last night and braved the cold -- the atmosphere was absolutely electric. Thanks to all of you who rooted on the Boys in Blue watching Time Warner Cable's Metro Sports (or in Spanish on Channel 5), or listening on La Playa (1480 AM) or La Grand D (1340 AM). Wizards Nation was on display last night, and it looked, sounded, and felt sensational.
While plenty went right, we know there are many things we can improve upon. We are committed as a front office to getting it right.
We know that the low-level mid-field camera position obstructed the view of many of our fans sitting on the south side of CAB (sections 111 and 113 in particular). I take the blame for that. I didn't realize that that camera position was going to be so far forward, and that it needed the infrastructure that it did. The platform was built Saturday morning, and I didn't see it until Saturday afternoon. It was dismantled down to a field-level camera without much of the ancillary equipment around it, but it was still blocking the view of many fans. This morning we have been working with the League and Metro Sports to solve this problem. I commit to you that it will be solved by Saturday.
We are also working on amping up the experience in the Beer Garden area by Gate C. That environment can be fantastic pre-game (from 5 pm on) and post-game. We're on it. We also are going to get to work on lighting up the port-a-let bathrooms. We are aware of the issues related to security screen and bag size limitations. These may not be changeable, but we will address. I also hear you regarding the video board graphics being too hard to read. We're somewhat constrained by the size of the video board, but we will look to see if we can simplify the graphics for easier viewing.
As a corporate objective, OnGoal will always strive to collect and implement our customers' suggestions in order to provide the highest levels of customer care possible. If you have suggestions or comments regarding the game day experience, or anything else for that matter, please feel free to email us at customer.service@kcwizards.com or you can email me directly at gcotton@kcwizards.com.
So as our friend at the Kansas City Sports Commission, Kevin Gray, is fond of saying...."Onward and Upward." And GO YOU WIZARDS!!!!!
Greg
While plenty went right, we know there are many things we can improve upon. We are committed as a front office to getting it right.
We know that the low-level mid-field camera position obstructed the view of many of our fans sitting on the south side of CAB (sections 111 and 113 in particular). I take the blame for that. I didn't realize that that camera position was going to be so far forward, and that it needed the infrastructure that it did. The platform was built Saturday morning, and I didn't see it until Saturday afternoon. It was dismantled down to a field-level camera without much of the ancillary equipment around it, but it was still blocking the view of many fans. This morning we have been working with the League and Metro Sports to solve this problem. I commit to you that it will be solved by Saturday.
We are also working on amping up the experience in the Beer Garden area by Gate C. That environment can be fantastic pre-game (from 5 pm on) and post-game. We're on it. We also are going to get to work on lighting up the port-a-let bathrooms. We are aware of the issues related to security screen and bag size limitations. These may not be changeable, but we will address. I also hear you regarding the video board graphics being too hard to read. We're somewhat constrained by the size of the video board, but we will look to see if we can simplify the graphics for easier viewing.
As a corporate objective, OnGoal will always strive to collect and implement our customers' suggestions in order to provide the highest levels of customer care possible. If you have suggestions or comments regarding the game day experience, or anything else for that matter, please feel free to email us at customer.service@kcwizards.com or you can email me directly at gcotton@kcwizards.com.
So as our friend at the Kansas City Sports Commission, Kevin Gray, is fond of saying...."Onward and Upward." And GO YOU WIZARDS!!!!!
Greg
Saturday, March 29, 2008
WIZARDS WIN 2-0
Goals by Trujillo and Lopez. More to come soon.
**Updated**
By soon, I meant about three hours. Nice.
So, the game was great. Everything about the night (except maybe the weather) was great for Kansas City soccer. The boys looked wonderful in their all-blue jerseys, the stadium proved to be a loud one (Holy smokes! To all you Hillcrest Road readers in the Cauldron, that was amazing. That place was packed in and you were standing and yelling. I'm very glad I was not Zach Wells after those goals. Wow.) and we definitely showed up to play.
I won't bore you with a game re-cap; you can check your TiVo'd copies of the match on Metro Sports for that. I will, however, offer some tidbits and the quote sheet from tonight.
Tidbits:
We managed a win with SIX players listed as out on the injury report. Among them? Davy Arnaud - usual starter; Chance Myers - would have started; Roger Espinoza - was fighting for significant playing time with solid pre-season camp. Good work guys. (Yes, I know that D.C. was without Jaime Moreno and didn't start Fred. Still.)
Ivan Trujillo would have scored a second. Replays show he was very onside on the goal that was disallowed. Overall, our forwards were very dangerous and fun to watch.
Jimmy Conrad anchored a back line that included no one of more than three years experience. Wahl - 3rd year; Harrington - 2nd year; Leathers - first MLS match. All four did very well for themselves, and Harrington even created the first goal with a great back-post cross.
Claudio Lopez is the real deal. He nearly created a goal with a cheeky chip in the 3rd minute, nearly scored one with a left-footed rocket in the 37th, then sealed the game with his perfectly timed run and classy chip. He looked very strong in 89 minutes tonight.
Kevin Hartman extended league records in wins (128 now) and shutouts (68 now). He's pretty good, isn't he?
If any of you had poor experiences at the ballpark, we apologize and promise that the situation will be improved. It was our first game at the stadium and, by all accounts, things went off very smoothly. We have certainly learned from game one and will always look to improve ourselves in game two. This blog post, for instance, will come earlier than 2 a.m. next time. Each member of our staff strives to provide the highest level of customer service possible. It is what OnGoal demands and what you fans deserve. Thanks to those of you that came out. It's a great feeling to sit in a sold-out stadium. Remember to buy your tickets early if you're not a season ticket holder. Walk-up tickets are a thing of the past in Kansas City.
Ok, I'm done here. Now for the quotes. This will also appear at MLSnet.com later:
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game
“I thought we started slow, but we ended the first half very strong. We came out the better team in the second half and got the goals we needed to win.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD IVAN TRUJILLO
On scoring in his MLS debut
“Jack Jewsbury played the ball into me, and I came in sliding and got my right leg to it. I put it off to the right where the ‘keeper couldn’t get to it. I was very excited and happy to score in my first game. I dedicated the match to my family and friends back in Colombia. I’m very excited about starting my time here with a goal.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER MICHAEL HARRINGTON
On starting the scoring play
“Coach always encourages us to join in the attack when we can. I was able to get up the line there and beat my man to get the ball on my right foot. I sent a cross in for Jack; he played a first-time ball to Ivan who finished with the first touch. It’s great to start off the season with a win over a good D.C. United team. We’ve still got three games in the next two weeks. Now we’re focused on playing well against Colorado next Saturday.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER KERRY ZAVAGNIN
On the atmosphere at CommunityAmerica Ballpark
“We were certainly excited going into the game, and the crowd made a huge difference for us. The atmosphere was more fun for the fans than in years past here in Kansas City. This intimate environment is great for us. We felt the fans presence throughout the match, and they no doubt played a part in our performance tonight.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JONATHAN LEATHERS
On starting in his first professional match
“I found out yesterday that I would get to start. It was very exciting, and I was really nervous about the game as well. It took me about ten minutes to settle down, but all the guys around me gave me confidence and told me that I was doing fine.”
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER SANTINO QUARANTA
On team philosophy
“We wanted to come out strong and win the game in the first half. Obviously, the first 15 minutes of each half are crucial. We let a goal up in the first five minutes of the second half, and it killed us. Our mindset wasn’t good coming out of halftime, and it hurt us.”
On team chemistry
“I don’t think it’s struggling with chemistry, we’ve been together two months now and that’s long enough to iron things out. It just wasn’t good enough tonight, but we’ll regroup for Tuesday.”
D.C. UNITED DEFENDER MARC BURCH
On the game
“We came out there and played hard. They got lucky on a few and we were unlucky on a couple. I don’t think it was a distraction, but we do have another game in two days so we’ve got to get ready for that.”
On the Kansas City goals
“They had a couple of good minutes where they had a little bit of possession and chipped two balls in. I don’t think there are any problems; nothing we can’t solve. I think we looked good as a unit. They didn’t have anything in the first half, and they had two chances in the second half.”
On next Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Pachuca
“It would be nice to have a little bit of legs going down there at high altitude, playing a really important game. Not to say this one wasn’t important, but it’s a really important game we have down there.”
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER ZACH WELLS
On the game
“I thought both teams were pretty organized. Most of the first half was just feeling each other out, not a lot of pretty soccer. Like I said before, it was just a couple of lapses and we were punished for it.”
On the team coming together
“We’re all learning to play with each other and it’s going to take a little bit of time. We’re just got to stay organized defensively, make sure that teams are earning their goals and that we’re capitalizing on our chances at the other end.”
**Updated**
By soon, I meant about three hours. Nice.
So, the game was great. Everything about the night (except maybe the weather) was great for Kansas City soccer. The boys looked wonderful in their all-blue jerseys, the stadium proved to be a loud one (Holy smokes! To all you Hillcrest Road readers in the Cauldron, that was amazing. That place was packed in and you were standing and yelling. I'm very glad I was not Zach Wells after those goals. Wow.) and we definitely showed up to play.
I won't bore you with a game re-cap; you can check your TiVo'd copies of the match on Metro Sports for that. I will, however, offer some tidbits and the quote sheet from tonight.
Tidbits:
We managed a win with SIX players listed as out on the injury report. Among them? Davy Arnaud - usual starter; Chance Myers - would have started; Roger Espinoza - was fighting for significant playing time with solid pre-season camp. Good work guys. (Yes, I know that D.C. was without Jaime Moreno and didn't start Fred. Still.)
Ivan Trujillo would have scored a second. Replays show he was very onside on the goal that was disallowed. Overall, our forwards were very dangerous and fun to watch.
Jimmy Conrad anchored a back line that included no one of more than three years experience. Wahl - 3rd year; Harrington - 2nd year; Leathers - first MLS match. All four did very well for themselves, and Harrington even created the first goal with a great back-post cross.
Claudio Lopez is the real deal. He nearly created a goal with a cheeky chip in the 3rd minute, nearly scored one with a left-footed rocket in the 37th, then sealed the game with his perfectly timed run and classy chip. He looked very strong in 89 minutes tonight.
Kevin Hartman extended league records in wins (128 now) and shutouts (68 now). He's pretty good, isn't he?
If any of you had poor experiences at the ballpark, we apologize and promise that the situation will be improved. It was our first game at the stadium and, by all accounts, things went off very smoothly. We have certainly learned from game one and will always look to improve ourselves in game two. This blog post, for instance, will come earlier than 2 a.m. next time. Each member of our staff strives to provide the highest level of customer service possible. It is what OnGoal demands and what you fans deserve. Thanks to those of you that came out. It's a great feeling to sit in a sold-out stadium. Remember to buy your tickets early if you're not a season ticket holder. Walk-up tickets are a thing of the past in Kansas City.
Ok, I'm done here. Now for the quotes. This will also appear at MLSnet.com later:
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game
“I thought we started slow, but we ended the first half very strong. We came out the better team in the second half and got the goals we needed to win.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS FORWARD IVAN TRUJILLO
On scoring in his MLS debut
“Jack Jewsbury played the ball into me, and I came in sliding and got my right leg to it. I put it off to the right where the ‘keeper couldn’t get to it. I was very excited and happy to score in my first game. I dedicated the match to my family and friends back in Colombia. I’m very excited about starting my time here with a goal.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER MICHAEL HARRINGTON
On starting the scoring play
“Coach always encourages us to join in the attack when we can. I was able to get up the line there and beat my man to get the ball on my right foot. I sent a cross in for Jack; he played a first-time ball to Ivan who finished with the first touch. It’s great to start off the season with a win over a good D.C. United team. We’ve still got three games in the next two weeks. Now we’re focused on playing well against Colorado next Saturday.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER KERRY ZAVAGNIN
On the atmosphere at CommunityAmerica Ballpark
“We were certainly excited going into the game, and the crowd made a huge difference for us. The atmosphere was more fun for the fans than in years past here in Kansas City. This intimate environment is great for us. We felt the fans presence throughout the match, and they no doubt played a part in our performance tonight.”
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JONATHAN LEATHERS
On starting in his first professional match
“I found out yesterday that I would get to start. It was very exciting, and I was really nervous about the game as well. It took me about ten minutes to settle down, but all the guys around me gave me confidence and told me that I was doing fine.”
D.C. UNITED MIDFIELDER SANTINO QUARANTA
On team philosophy
“We wanted to come out strong and win the game in the first half. Obviously, the first 15 minutes of each half are crucial. We let a goal up in the first five minutes of the second half, and it killed us. Our mindset wasn’t good coming out of halftime, and it hurt us.”
On team chemistry
“I don’t think it’s struggling with chemistry, we’ve been together two months now and that’s long enough to iron things out. It just wasn’t good enough tonight, but we’ll regroup for Tuesday.”
D.C. UNITED DEFENDER MARC BURCH
On the game
“We came out there and played hard. They got lucky on a few and we were unlucky on a couple. I don’t think it was a distraction, but we do have another game in two days so we’ve got to get ready for that.”
On the Kansas City goals
“They had a couple of good minutes where they had a little bit of possession and chipped two balls in. I don’t think there are any problems; nothing we can’t solve. I think we looked good as a unit. They didn’t have anything in the first half, and they had two chances in the second half.”
On next Tuesday’s CONCACAF Champions Cup match against Pachuca
“It would be nice to have a little bit of legs going down there at high altitude, playing a really important game. Not to say this one wasn’t important, but it’s a really important game we have down there.”
D.C. UNITED GOALKEEPER ZACH WELLS
On the game
“I thought both teams were pretty organized. Most of the first half was just feeling each other out, not a lot of pretty soccer. Like I said before, it was just a couple of lapses and we were punished for it.”
On the team coming together
“We’re all learning to play with each other and it’s going to take a little bit of time. We’re just got to stay organized defensively, make sure that teams are earning their goals and that we’re capitalizing on our chances at the other end.”
Starting Lineups
Hello all, the fans are starting to file in and the Cauldron is waving their flags in in full force already. Media members are buzzing around, and the teams have entered the field for warm-ups.
Current weather: 48 degrees, with wind out of the southeast at 13 MPH.
Expected crowd: 10, 385. The game is sold out. Tickets will be tough to come by this year folks.
Lineups:
KCW- Hartman, Leathers, Conrad, Wahl, Harrington, Jewsbury, Zavagnin, Marinelli, Pore, Lopez, Trujillo
DCU-Wells, Namoff, Martinez, Peralta, Burch, Mediate, Simms, Gallardo, McTavish, Niell, Emilio
Kickoff in 30 minutes or so.
Current weather: 48 degrees, with wind out of the southeast at 13 MPH.
Expected crowd: 10, 385. The game is sold out. Tickets will be tough to come by this year folks.
Lineups:
KCW- Hartman, Leathers, Conrad, Wahl, Harrington, Jewsbury, Zavagnin, Marinelli, Pore, Lopez, Trujillo
DCU-Wells, Namoff, Martinez, Peralta, Burch, Mediate, Simms, Gallardo, McTavish, Niell, Emilio
Kickoff in 30 minutes or so.
Game Day #1
Hello all, I meant to check in earlier, but with all that's included in playing at a new stadium, I haven't yet had a chance. The field looks great; the signage is up; some fans (for both teams) are in the parking lot. It's officially game day.
Some things to notice when you're at the stadium today:
1. ALL THE BLUE. We have done our best to make the stadium as blue and fan-friendly as possible. The flags on top of the newly installed bleachers are a great touch. Major props to our ops team including David Ficklin, Chris Wyche, Adam Meloan, Dan Drelich (superDan) and graphics guru Chad Reynolds. Well done all.
2. THE LOPEZ BACKDROP. Over what is called "the batters' eye" by baseball folks, we have draped a HUGE picture of El Piojo. It's a bit of an advertisement as well, but it looks pretty sharp.
3. THE GRASS. Holy cow, Jerad Minnick and his crew are outstanding. In a very short amount of time, they took a baseball field and turned it into a soccer pitch. The mowed-in lines look beautiful. This field will look wonderful on TV.
4. THE FOOD. We've talked about it on here several times, but our concessions menu is incredible. Stop at the nearest concession stand and try out the wares. We had a tasting at media day on Wednesday. I'm not lying; everything I had was outstanding.
5. THE TEAM. We've got some new players, and we've lost some familiar faces, but we are confident that things will go well on the pitch. Unfortunately Chance Myers will be out of action today due to a foot injury, but new faces such as Claudio Lopez and Ivan Trujillo will likely make their first appearances in front of the home faithful.
It should be a fun one! I'll be back just after 6 to post the lineups.
Some things to notice when you're at the stadium today:
1. ALL THE BLUE. We have done our best to make the stadium as blue and fan-friendly as possible. The flags on top of the newly installed bleachers are a great touch. Major props to our ops team including David Ficklin, Chris Wyche, Adam Meloan, Dan Drelich (superDan) and graphics guru Chad Reynolds. Well done all.
2. THE LOPEZ BACKDROP. Over what is called "the batters' eye" by baseball folks, we have draped a HUGE picture of El Piojo. It's a bit of an advertisement as well, but it looks pretty sharp.
3. THE GRASS. Holy cow, Jerad Minnick and his crew are outstanding. In a very short amount of time, they took a baseball field and turned it into a soccer pitch. The mowed-in lines look beautiful. This field will look wonderful on TV.
4. THE FOOD. We've talked about it on here several times, but our concessions menu is incredible. Stop at the nearest concession stand and try out the wares. We had a tasting at media day on Wednesday. I'm not lying; everything I had was outstanding.
5. THE TEAM. We've got some new players, and we've lost some familiar faces, but we are confident that things will go well on the pitch. Unfortunately Chance Myers will be out of action today due to a foot injury, but new faces such as Claudio Lopez and Ivan Trujillo will likely make their first appearances in front of the home faithful.
It should be a fun one! I'll be back just after 6 to post the lineups.
Friday, March 28, 2008
Well Wishes From Across the Pond
Hillcrest Road readers, you'll be delighted to know that the Kansas City Wizards are now an international brand. Well, sorta. A youth club just outside of Manchester, England known as the Unicorn Wizards shares our great name and our love of the real football. Unicorn Wizards are doing pretty well this year, sitting at the top of the table.
They wished us good luck this weekend. Thanks guys!
Also, here's a video they sent us a couple of months back that I haven't yet posted. These guys are great.
They wished us good luck this weekend. Thanks guys!
Also, here's a video they sent us a couple of months back that I haven't yet posted. These guys are great.
kcsoccerstore.com/26.5 Hours Left
Hey guys, we wanted to let everyone know that we've launched our team jersey store online at www.kcsoccerstore.com. Here you will be able to outfit your teams with official adidas gear at a great price. The site isn't yet up and running, but if you sign up today, you will receive a discount when the site launches on April 14. Enjoy.
The beauty that will be 2008 Kansas City Wizards soccer begins in about 26.5 hours. Finishing touches are being put on CAB as we speak, and the office is abuzz. D.C. has touched down (and I believe is training at CAB in about an hour or so), so the table is set for tomorrow.
Our YouTube (youtube.com/kcwizards96) is up and running again. Check out a bit from Sean about Wednesday's media day:
We'll see everyone at the ballpark tomorrow! Go Wizards!
The beauty that will be 2008 Kansas City Wizards soccer begins in about 26.5 hours. Finishing touches are being put on CAB as we speak, and the office is abuzz. D.C. has touched down (and I believe is training at CAB in about an hour or so), so the table is set for tomorrow.
Our YouTube (youtube.com/kcwizards96) is up and running again. Check out a bit from Sean about Wednesday's media day:
We'll see everyone at the ballpark tomorrow! Go Wizards!
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Scooby Sighting
As many of you know, Scooby Doo will make an appearance at Saturday's match. Well, Scooby arrived today and even poked around the Wizards front office for a time, getting a few laughs from bewildered, confused or scared employees. Who was in the costume? One may never know...
Pre-Game Beer Garden/Wizards Weekly/More
Greetings Hillcrest Road followers, come join us in drinking the blue cool-aid! No, don't do that please, but hopefully you're just as jazzed up about Saturday as we are. A few pieces of information to which we wanted to draw you attention.
Beginning two hours before kickoff each game this season, we are going to host a pre-game beer garden in the (forgive my use of baseball terms) center-field area behind the (forgive again) batters' eye. On CAB maps, this is listed as the Party Off the Pitch tent. The tent is located just inside Gate C, which is the only gate that will open two hours prior. This feature will be available prior to every match this season. Beer (hence the name) will be available and there will be music. For at least the first four games, a DJ will mix music live in that area. All ticketed fans can enter the beer garden. Following the match, Party Off the Pitch will be available to premium ticket holders.
Wizards Weekly on Metro Sports kicks off tonight at 9:30 p.m. CT tonight and will be replayed at 6:30 p.m. CT tomorrow and 11:30 a.m. CT Saturday. Coach Onalfo and Kevin Hartman are the featured Wizards this week.
The Wizards Cash Cup also kicks off today over at KC Soccerdome. Good luck to all the participants!
Beginning two hours before kickoff each game this season, we are going to host a pre-game beer garden in the (forgive my use of baseball terms) center-field area behind the (forgive again) batters' eye. On CAB maps, this is listed as the Party Off the Pitch tent. The tent is located just inside Gate C, which is the only gate that will open two hours prior. This feature will be available prior to every match this season. Beer (hence the name) will be available and there will be music. For at least the first four games, a DJ will mix music live in that area. All ticketed fans can enter the beer garden. Following the match, Party Off the Pitch will be available to premium ticket holders.
Wizards Weekly on Metro Sports kicks off tonight at 9:30 p.m. CT tonight and will be replayed at 6:30 p.m. CT tomorrow and 11:30 a.m. CT Saturday. Coach Onalfo and Kevin Hartman are the featured Wizards this week.
The Wizards Cash Cup also kicks off today over at KC Soccerdome. Good luck to all the participants!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Mr. Big Think Tells Us Why to Come See His Show
Media Day went very well (some videos and photos will be available later at kcwizards.com). We checked in with Mr. Jimmy Conrad himself to find out the top three reasons you should attend the show tonight at McFadden's.
Reason 1: "I know Pedrag Radosavljević by his first name."
Reason 2: "What some people don't realize is that Sean Wheelock and I are really lovers."
Reason 3: "Because people always tell me I have a face that's perfect for radio."
So true Jimmy; so true. See you guys tonight. 8-9 p.m. at McFadden's. The Starting 11 Girls will be there as well, and Kerry Zavagnin is the guest from our squad this week. If you can't make it, listen live on 810 WHB, kcwizards.com and/or MLSnet.com.
Reason 1: "I know Pedrag Radosavljević by his first name."
Reason 2: "What some people don't realize is that Sean Wheelock and I are really lovers."
Reason 3: "Because people always tell me I have a face that's perfect for radio."
So true Jimmy; so true. See you guys tonight. 8-9 p.m. at McFadden's. The Starting 11 Girls will be there as well, and Kerry Zavagnin is the guest from our squad this week. If you can't make it, listen live on 810 WHB, kcwizards.com and/or MLSnet.com.
Happy Hump Day/Media Day
Greetings everyone. Kickoff is in three short days, and we are excited. The guys trained out at CAB today to get a feel for the pitch and the layout. The field looks good and the stadium signage is all starting to come together. It's going to look like a Wizards stadium on game nights!
Media day begins here shortly. PV, Coach and all players will be available. Some media members are going to try their luck against goalkeeper Boris Pardo. Should be a fun day.
Don't forget about The Jimmy Conrad Show tonight from 8-9 p.m. at McFadden's downtown. We'd love to see all of you out there! If you can't make it, listen to the show live on 810 WHB or streamed live at kcwizards.com or MLSnet.com.
Be back with more later.
Media day begins here shortly. PV, Coach and all players will be available. Some media members are going to try their luck against goalkeeper Boris Pardo. Should be a fun day.
Don't forget about The Jimmy Conrad Show tonight from 8-9 p.m. at McFadden's downtown. We'd love to see all of you out there! If you can't make it, listen to the show live on 810 WHB or streamed live at kcwizards.com or MLSnet.com.
Be back with more later.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Jimmy Speaks
Jimmy was in New York yesterday for a little media tour. The first available product of that is a video piece he did with www.bigthink.com. You can go directly to the video here if you so choose, but it has some sweet placement on the front page of the site between John McCain and someone talking about how big it would be if John McCain were elected President since he is in his 70's. Nice. Good work Jimmy.
As you already know, The Jimmy Conrad Show debuts this Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. at McFadden's downtown. We'd love to see a big crowd of Wizards fans, so get together with some other supporters and join us for some drinks and some radio! Jimmy will appear later tonight or tomorrow here at Hillcrest Road with some reasons why you should come see the show in person.
As you already know, The Jimmy Conrad Show debuts this Wednesday from 8-9 p.m. at McFadden's downtown. We'd love to see a big crowd of Wizards fans, so get together with some other supporters and join us for some drinks and some radio! Jimmy will appear later tonight or tomorrow here at Hillcrest Road with some reasons why you should come see the show in person.
Lopez P-1 Approved/Other
Just received word that Designated Player Claudio Lopez has received his P-1 Visa approval and will be eligible for selection this Saturday against D.C. United. With Lopez available, Saturday's match will likely feature a strong Argentine flavor. Each team features three Argentines. Kansas City will boast Lopez, playmaker Carlos Marinelli and forward Eloy Colombano. D.C. employs playmaker and Designated Player Marcelo Gallardo, defender Gonzalo Peralta and forward Franco Niell.
In other news, check out the KCW preview posted yesterday on American Soccer News if you haven't already.
In other news, check out the KCW preview posted yesterday on American Soccer News if you haven't already.
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Jimmy Conrad Show
Whoopsies folks, we posted something that wasn't quite correct last week. The Jimmy Conrad Show will run from 8-9 this Wednesday at McFadden's in the Power & Light District. Jimmy, Wheelock and more will be broadcast live on 810 WHB, kcwizards.com and MLSnet.com. Kerry Zavagnin and a guest from D.C. United will also take part in the show this week.
Here's the schedule for the next month or so:
3/26 - 8-9pm
4/2 - 8-9pm
4/16 - 7-8pm
4/23 - 8-9pm
4/30 - 8-9pm
Supporters Group Panel
Hey everyone, I just wanted to repost the information that RH put up this weekend about a panel of supporters for a discussion he'd like to have. The original post is here, with text below.
Ladies and Gents,
i wondered if i could get a panel of say 10 supporters section people? here's the method to my madness. we need to make a big decision on some components of the supporters section. the decisions will impact location, ammenities and ultimately ticket prices, so i want to make sure you and i are on the same page. i would like to try to meet for 60-90 minutes - preferrably over lunch (i'll buy) or maybe prior to a game? the carrot is this - you'll see the stadium renderings - and no, i won't let you take pictures or walk out with anything, but at least you'll be able to tell others whether it's awful, or it rocks (which it does). if there would be any way to nominate a group, that would be great. what's really key here is whomever the panel is will be making decisions for all of you. i'll be able to blame the panel for years to come whenever there is a complaint on ticket prices :). i'd like to try to get together the first week in april. can you all organize some way of putting together the panel and letting me know? email me at: heineman@ongoalkc.com. thanks for your help...rh
Ladies and Gents,
i wondered if i could get a panel of say 10 supporters section people? here's the method to my madness. we need to make a big decision on some components of the supporters section. the decisions will impact location, ammenities and ultimately ticket prices, so i want to make sure you and i are on the same page. i would like to try to meet for 60-90 minutes - preferrably over lunch (i'll buy) or maybe prior to a game? the carrot is this - you'll see the stadium renderings - and no, i won't let you take pictures or walk out with anything, but at least you'll be able to tell others whether it's awful, or it rocks (which it does). if there would be any way to nominate a group, that would be great. what's really key here is whomever the panel is will be making decisions for all of you. i'll be able to blame the panel for years to come whenever there is a complaint on ticket prices :). i'd like to try to get together the first week in april. can you all organize some way of putting together the panel and letting me know? email me at: heineman@ongoalkc.com. thanks for your help...rh
2008 Game Themes
Greetings Hillcrest Road readers and welcome to Wizards Week! The season kicks off this Saturday night at 7 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. We play D.C. United for the second straight season-opener; let's get another big win.
Game themes from each of our 15 MLS home matches are now available at kcwizards.com here. Pick out the games with surrounding promotions that intrigue you and invite a group of friends to join you (since I know everyone reading this is a season ticket holder already, right?) for a night of Wizards-related fun.
The guys are off today, and begin training tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Swope. We looked good Saturday against RSL, and I know everyone is ready to begin the regular season.
Game themes from each of our 15 MLS home matches are now available at kcwizards.com here. Pick out the games with surrounding promotions that intrigue you and invite a group of friends to join you (since I know everyone reading this is a season ticket holder already, right?) for a night of Wizards-related fun.
The guys are off today, and begin training tomorrow at 10 a.m. at Swope. We looked good Saturday against RSL, and I know everyone is ready to begin the regular season.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
USA v Poland
Hello all, Bob Bradley has named his 18-man roster for Wednesday's friendly in Poland. The 18-man squad features 3 MLS players, 2 former Wizards, 3 Fulhamerica players and a pair of goalkeepers who are the class of the EPL, both of whom happen to be MLS alums.
See the roster below and the U.S. Soccer release here.
ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Cory Gibbs (Charlton Athletic), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)
FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich)
Our U-23s fell 1-0 in overtime today against Honduras but will be going to Beijing anyway. Good work lads.
See the roster below and the U.S. Soccer release here.
ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (2): Marcus Hahnemann (Reading FC), Tim Howard (Everton FC)
DEFENDERS (7): Carlos Bocanegra (Fulham FC), Steve Cherundolo (Hannover 96), Jay DeMerit (Watford FC), Cory Gibbs (Charlton Athletic), Oguchi Onyewu (Standard de Liege), Heath Pearce (Hansa Rostock), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United)
MIDFIELDERS (5): Michael Bradley (SC Heerenveen), Ricardo Clark (Houston Dynamo), Landon Donovan (Los Angeles Galaxy), Benny Feilhaber (Derby County), Eddie Lewis (Derby County)
FORWARDS (4): Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo), Clint Dempsey (Fulham FC), Eddie Johnson (Fulham FC), Josh Wolff (1860 Munich)
Our U-23s fell 1-0 in overtime today against Honduras but will be going to Beijing anyway. Good work lads.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
KCW Reserves 0-1 SMU (Saturn Cup)
The reserves fell 1-0 to SMU on a first-half goal by Bruno Guarda. SMU goalkeeper Craig Hill stood on his head several times to foil great chances by our boys. He took three balls off the foot of a Wizards attacker with quick moves off his line. In the first half, Kurt Morsink appeared to catch Hill off his line, but the goalkeeper scrambled back and palmed the ball off the crossbar to keep us scoreless.
In the second half, guest player Nelson Pizarro (a former open tryout participant) hit a 30-yard shot off the cross bar that had beaten Hill and Kevin Souter missed a half volley just wide of the near post from about 12 yards out.
Supplemental draft goalkeeper Andrew Kartunen made his debut, playing the entire second half. Goalkeeper Boris Pardo (a field player throughout his youth and prep career) suited up as a field player and entered toward the end as a forward due to the squad missing several players to injury. Guest players Allan Nekuda (William Jewell College), Kevin Nekuda (William Jewell College), Josh Howard (William Jewell College), Pizarro (Lincoln Memorial) and Souter (Graceland) played in the match.
KCW Reserves:
Kronberg (Kartunen 46), Pizarro, Hohlbein, Howard (K. Nekuda 83), Kraus, Leathers, Lowery (A. Nekuda 83), Morsink, Souter, Victorine (Pardo 83), Sealy (Colombano 46)
In the second half, guest player Nelson Pizarro (a former open tryout participant) hit a 30-yard shot off the cross bar that had beaten Hill and Kevin Souter missed a half volley just wide of the near post from about 12 yards out.
Supplemental draft goalkeeper Andrew Kartunen made his debut, playing the entire second half. Goalkeeper Boris Pardo (a field player throughout his youth and prep career) suited up as a field player and entered toward the end as a forward due to the squad missing several players to injury. Guest players Allan Nekuda (William Jewell College), Kevin Nekuda (William Jewell College), Josh Howard (William Jewell College), Pizarro (Lincoln Memorial) and Souter (Graceland) played in the match.
KCW Reserves:
Kronberg (Kartunen 46), Pizarro, Hohlbein, Howard (K. Nekuda 83), Kraus, Leathers, Lowery (A. Nekuda 83), Morsink, Souter, Victorine (Pardo 83), Sealy (Colombano 46)
KCW 1-0 RSL (Saturn Cup)
Kansas City captures its first piece of silverware (well, I guess it's actually glassware) for 2008, winning our second-ever Saturn Cup title. We won 1-0 on the strength of a Jimmy Conrad header (We asked Jimmy after the game; it was his head, not his chest as it first appeared. Apologies from Hillcrest) off a Marinelli free kick in the 64th minute. Marinelli was dangerous throughout, playing several players in behind the RSL defense before assisting on Jimmy's goal.
After the match, coach expressed his pleasure at getting a victory against an MLS side one week before the season opener. He also commended OU on the beautiful John Crain Field and the organizer's of the Saturn Cup for the first-class event they have run.
KCW:
Hartman, Jewsbury, Conrad (Hohlbein 82), Wahl, Myers, Zavagnin, Marinelli (Morsink 74), Pore, Harrington, Colombano (Sealy 46), Trujillo
RSL:
Rimando, Borchers (Olave 46), Mantilla, Joy, Beltran, Beckerman, Talley, Morales, Williams (Kovalenko 46), Movsisyan, Espindola (Nunez 75)
Live commentary below. Read from bottom to top for full effect, even though we ruined the suspense in the title.
7:54 CT: Final whistle blows, and Kansas City has a 1-0 win. Back with more later.
7:52 CT: Movsisyan earns corner kick with nifty footwork inside the area. Morales' service finds Movsisyan 8 yards from goal but his effort goes over the bar.
7:48 CT: Joy serves to Movsisyan at the back post. His flick header goes wide of the post, but Hartman had it covered.
7:45 CT: Morales takes free kick from extreme left flank, even with the top of the 18. His long right-footed service finds Kovalenko near the right corner of the six-yard area, but Dema's shot flies high over the bar.
7:44 CT (82nd minute): Beckerman takes a pass at the top of the penalty area. His well-struck bending shot just flies over the cross bar and onto the top netting. Hohlbein enters for Conrad on the stoppage.
7:42 CT: Pore lofts a pass to the center of the area, 8 yards off the goal line but RSL clears.
7:42 CT: Morsink crosses from the right touch line, but the ball is handled by an RSL defender. Free kick to the Wizards one foot outside the penalty area (defender was clearly out of the box), two yards off the end line.
7:37 CT: Tino Nunez comes on for Espindola as Real looks for an equalizer.
7:36 CT (74th minute): Morsink steps on for Marinelli, who played an excellent match. Kansas City's playmaker created the game's first goal with a dangerous in-swinging cross and unlocked several more plays with well-weighted passes.
7:29 CT: Pore CK from right skips to Jewsbury deep. Jewsbury's right-footed half volley goes inches wide of the near post as Rimando scrambled to his right.
7:26 CT (64th minute): GOAL KANSAS CITY; GOAL JIMMY CONRAD. Jewsbury earned a free kick on the right flank and Marinelli provided the service. His in-swinging cross skimmed off the head of Trujillo before Conrad chested the ball home for a 1-0 Kansas City lead.
7:23 CT: Morales corrals a free ball in midfield and rips a 25-yard shot straight into Hartman's arms in the center of the goal mouth.
7:22 CT: Espindola again shoots from the left corner of the penalty area, this time on a half volley but his attempt again goes wide.
7:21 CT: Espindola carries up the left flank into the penalty area, bending a low, hard shot toward the back post skips wide.
7:17 CT (55th minute): After a few minutes of back-and-forth play without much in the way of chances, Talley hits a free kick from 35 yards out that skips easily into Hartman's arms.
7:08 CT: Second half is now underway. Sealy on for Colombano for KC. Olave on for Borchers and Kovalenko for Williams for RSL.
6:50 CT: Halftime is here. Morales and Marinelli had a nice little duel of attacking midfielders, both creating multiple chances for their respective club. We'll be back soon with second-half kickoff.
6:47 CT: Morales curls a pass toward the back post, eluding Movsisyan and Wahl for a KC GK.
6:47 CT: Our first yellow of the match goes to Conrad for dissent after a foul called on the left wing 6 yards off the end line. Morales stands over the free kick for RSL.
6:46 CT: Beckerman lays back for Williams 30 yards from goal. The veteran's first-time attempt at goal goes well wide of the back post on a line.
6:35 CT: Marinelli again plays an excellent ball along the ground through the defense, this time for Pore up the right channel. Pore carries toward goal, lifting a low pass over a defenders foot centrally for Colombano at the back post. Rimando cut down the angle, however, forcing Colombano's slight touch to go inches wide of the back post.
6:28 CT: Morales puts Williams through just behind the defense at the top of the 18-yard area, but his right footed shot goes well wide of the back post.
6:23 CT: Morales frees Espindola up the right flank, who wins the end line and crossed to the back post. Myers heads the ball out over the goal for a CK.
6:22 CT: Joy serves from the left flank to Movsisyan at the back post, but the young forward's header goes wide of the back post without troubling Hartman.
6:19 CT: Beckerman collects free ball in left corner of penalty area and serves for Movsisyan, but Hartman controls the cross cleanly.
6:15 CT: Marinelli unlocks the defense with a perfectly paced through ball to Colombano up the left channel ... Colombano's cross along the ground for Trujillo is deflected out for CK. Ensuing service from Marinelli to Conrad at the top of the 6 is held by Rimando.
6:09 CT: Talley finds Movsisyan in the left corner of the penalty area, but Myers stands him up and takes the ball ... Colombano ends up with the ball up the right flank and serves for Marinelli at the PK spot but Rimando gathers the cross.
6:07 CT: Colombano wins a corner kick on the left side, Marinelli's service is touched by Myers at the near post but cleared by RSL.
6:05 CT: And they're off. Kansas City, wearing white starts right to left against Real Salt Lake, wearing claret red and blue.
Hello all. Let the live updates begin. We're about 5 minutes from kickoff, and the crowd is filling in nicely. I've got the lineups here now and will check back in when the game starts.
Former Wizards forward Yura Movsisyan and midfielder Carey Talley will be in Real's starting lineup.
After the match, coach expressed his pleasure at getting a victory against an MLS side one week before the season opener. He also commended OU on the beautiful John Crain Field and the organizer's of the Saturn Cup for the first-class event they have run.
KCW:
Hartman, Jewsbury, Conrad (Hohlbein 82), Wahl, Myers, Zavagnin, Marinelli (Morsink 74), Pore, Harrington, Colombano (Sealy 46), Trujillo
RSL:
Rimando, Borchers (Olave 46), Mantilla, Joy, Beltran, Beckerman, Talley, Morales, Williams (Kovalenko 46), Movsisyan, Espindola (Nunez 75)
Live commentary below. Read from bottom to top for full effect, even though we ruined the suspense in the title.
7:54 CT: Final whistle blows, and Kansas City has a 1-0 win. Back with more later.
7:52 CT: Movsisyan earns corner kick with nifty footwork inside the area. Morales' service finds Movsisyan 8 yards from goal but his effort goes over the bar.
7:48 CT: Joy serves to Movsisyan at the back post. His flick header goes wide of the post, but Hartman had it covered.
7:45 CT: Morales takes free kick from extreme left flank, even with the top of the 18. His long right-footed service finds Kovalenko near the right corner of the six-yard area, but Dema's shot flies high over the bar.
7:44 CT (82nd minute): Beckerman takes a pass at the top of the penalty area. His well-struck bending shot just flies over the cross bar and onto the top netting. Hohlbein enters for Conrad on the stoppage.
7:42 CT: Pore lofts a pass to the center of the area, 8 yards off the goal line but RSL clears.
7:42 CT: Morsink crosses from the right touch line, but the ball is handled by an RSL defender. Free kick to the Wizards one foot outside the penalty area (defender was clearly out of the box), two yards off the end line.
7:37 CT: Tino Nunez comes on for Espindola as Real looks for an equalizer.
7:36 CT (74th minute): Morsink steps on for Marinelli, who played an excellent match. Kansas City's playmaker created the game's first goal with a dangerous in-swinging cross and unlocked several more plays with well-weighted passes.
7:29 CT: Pore CK from right skips to Jewsbury deep. Jewsbury's right-footed half volley goes inches wide of the near post as Rimando scrambled to his right.
7:26 CT (64th minute): GOAL KANSAS CITY; GOAL JIMMY CONRAD. Jewsbury earned a free kick on the right flank and Marinelli provided the service. His in-swinging cross skimmed off the head of Trujillo before Conrad chested the ball home for a 1-0 Kansas City lead.
7:23 CT: Morales corrals a free ball in midfield and rips a 25-yard shot straight into Hartman's arms in the center of the goal mouth.
7:22 CT: Espindola again shoots from the left corner of the penalty area, this time on a half volley but his attempt again goes wide.
7:21 CT: Espindola carries up the left flank into the penalty area, bending a low, hard shot toward the back post skips wide.
7:17 CT (55th minute): After a few minutes of back-and-forth play without much in the way of chances, Talley hits a free kick from 35 yards out that skips easily into Hartman's arms.
7:08 CT: Second half is now underway. Sealy on for Colombano for KC. Olave on for Borchers and Kovalenko for Williams for RSL.
6:50 CT: Halftime is here. Morales and Marinelli had a nice little duel of attacking midfielders, both creating multiple chances for their respective club. We'll be back soon with second-half kickoff.
6:47 CT: Morales curls a pass toward the back post, eluding Movsisyan and Wahl for a KC GK.
6:47 CT: Our first yellow of the match goes to Conrad for dissent after a foul called on the left wing 6 yards off the end line. Morales stands over the free kick for RSL.
6:46 CT: Beckerman lays back for Williams 30 yards from goal. The veteran's first-time attempt at goal goes well wide of the back post on a line.
6:35 CT: Marinelli again plays an excellent ball along the ground through the defense, this time for Pore up the right channel. Pore carries toward goal, lifting a low pass over a defenders foot centrally for Colombano at the back post. Rimando cut down the angle, however, forcing Colombano's slight touch to go inches wide of the back post.
6:28 CT: Morales puts Williams through just behind the defense at the top of the 18-yard area, but his right footed shot goes well wide of the back post.
6:23 CT: Morales frees Espindola up the right flank, who wins the end line and crossed to the back post. Myers heads the ball out over the goal for a CK.
6:22 CT: Joy serves from the left flank to Movsisyan at the back post, but the young forward's header goes wide of the back post without troubling Hartman.
6:19 CT: Beckerman collects free ball in left corner of penalty area and serves for Movsisyan, but Hartman controls the cross cleanly.
6:15 CT: Marinelli unlocks the defense with a perfectly paced through ball to Colombano up the left channel ... Colombano's cross along the ground for Trujillo is deflected out for CK. Ensuing service from Marinelli to Conrad at the top of the 6 is held by Rimando.
6:09 CT: Talley finds Movsisyan in the left corner of the penalty area, but Myers stands him up and takes the ball ... Colombano ends up with the ball up the right flank and serves for Marinelli at the PK spot but Rimando gathers the cross.
6:07 CT: Colombano wins a corner kick on the left side, Marinelli's service is touched by Myers at the near post but cleared by RSL.
6:05 CT: And they're off. Kansas City, wearing white starts right to left against Real Salt Lake, wearing claret red and blue.
Hello all. Let the live updates begin. We're about 5 minutes from kickoff, and the crowd is filling in nicely. I've got the lineups here now and will check back in when the game starts.
Former Wizards forward Yura Movsisyan and midfielder Carey Talley will be in Real's starting lineup.
Greetings From Norman/KCW Juniors Update
Hello Hillcrest Road readers, we're checking in today from the press box at lovely John Crain Field on the campus of the University of Oklahoma. The field is beautiful (very smooth, short surface without too much wear and tear) and the weather is excellent. (Mid-60s and slightly breezy).
The KCW Juniors U-16s and U-17s were in action today in the Metro College Showcase in the St. Louis area. Both teams came in first place in their divisions, the U-17s earning a big 4-1 victory over strong St. Louis club Scott Gallagher. Results and standings from the tournaments below:
U-17s
Friday, March 21, 2008
MYSC - YAHARA BLUE 1 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS JUNIORS 1
ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER I 1 COLORADO STORM ROYAL 0
MYSC - YAHARA BLUE 0 COLORADO STORM ROYAL 1
ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER I 1 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS JUNIORS 4
Saturday, March 22, 2008
MYSC - YAHARA BLUE 0 ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER I 0
COLORADO STORM ROYAL 1 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS JUNIORS 1
Friday, March 21, 2008
FC PRIDE '92 PREMIER 1 ANN ARBOR ARSENAL 92 BOYS PREMIER BLUE 0
KC WIZARDS JUNIORS 91/92 3 TULSA TSC '92 1
FC PRIDE '92 PREMIER 3 TULSA TSC '92 1
KC WIZARDS JUNIORS 91/92 3 ANN ARBOR ARSENAL 92 BOYS PREMIER BLUE 0
Saturday, March 22, 2008
FC PRIDE '92 PREMIER 0 KC WIZARDS JUNIORS 91/92 0
TULSA TSC '92 1 ANN ARBOR ARSENAL 92 BOYS PREMIER BLUE 1
The KCW Juniors U-16s and U-17s were in action today in the Metro College Showcase in the St. Louis area. Both teams came in first place in their divisions, the U-17s earning a big 4-1 victory over strong St. Louis club Scott Gallagher. Results and standings from the tournaments below:
U-17s
Friday, March 21, 2008
MYSC - YAHARA BLUE 1 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS JUNIORS 1
ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER I 1 COLORADO STORM ROYAL 0
MYSC - YAHARA BLUE 0 COLORADO STORM ROYAL 1
ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER I 1 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS JUNIORS 4
Saturday, March 22, 2008
MYSC - YAHARA BLUE 0 ST. LOUIS SCOTT GALLAGHER I 0
COLORADO STORM ROYAL 1 KANSAS CITY WIZARDS JUNIORS 1
Friday, March 21, 2008
FC PRIDE '92 PREMIER 1 ANN ARBOR ARSENAL 92 BOYS PREMIER BLUE 0
KC WIZARDS JUNIORS 91/92 3 TULSA TSC '92 1
FC PRIDE '92 PREMIER 3 TULSA TSC '92 1
KC WIZARDS JUNIORS 91/92 3 ANN ARBOR ARSENAL 92 BOYS PREMIER BLUE 0
Saturday, March 22, 2008
FC PRIDE '92 PREMIER 0 KC WIZARDS JUNIORS 91/92 0
TULSA TSC '92 1 ANN ARBOR ARSENAL 92 BOYS PREMIER BLUE 1
Friday, March 21, 2008
ATTENTION: Supporters Section Focus Group
Ladies and Gents,
i wondered if i could get a panel of say 10 supporters section people? here's the method to my madness. we need to make a big decision on some components of the supporters section. the decisions will impact location, ammenities and ultimately ticket prices, so i want to make sure you and i are on the same page. i would like to try to meet for 60-90 minutes - preferrably over lunch (i'll buy) or maybe prior to a game? the carrot is this - you'll see the stadium renderings - and no, i won't let you take pictures or walk out with anything, but at least you'll be able to tell others whether it's awful, or it rocks (which it does). if there would be any way to nominate a group, that would be great. what's really key here is whomever the panel is will be making decisions for all of you. i'll be able to blame the panel for years to come whenever there is a complaint on ticket prices :). i'd like to try to get together the first week in april. can you all organize some way of putting together the panel and letting me know? email me at: heineman@ongoalkc.com. thanks for your help...rh
i wondered if i could get a panel of say 10 supporters section people? here's the method to my madness. we need to make a big decision on some components of the supporters section. the decisions will impact location, ammenities and ultimately ticket prices, so i want to make sure you and i are on the same page. i would like to try to meet for 60-90 minutes - preferrably over lunch (i'll buy) or maybe prior to a game? the carrot is this - you'll see the stadium renderings - and no, i won't let you take pictures or walk out with anything, but at least you'll be able to tell others whether it's awful, or it rocks (which it does). if there would be any way to nominate a group, that would be great. what's really key here is whomever the panel is will be making decisions for all of you. i'll be able to blame the panel for years to come whenever there is a complaint on ticket prices :). i'd like to try to get together the first week in april. can you all organize some way of putting together the panel and letting me know? email me at: heineman@ongoalkc.com. thanks for your help...rh
Saturn Cup Tomorrow
Hey all, don't forget about the Saturn Cup tomorrow night. The game will not be available on TV or radio, but Hillcrest Road will post live running commentary through the match. This will be our first attempt at live commentary, so bare with us. I know some of you fans are going down; it will be great seeing you again. I'll stop by the section and say hello when there's a chance. Let's get 6 points tomorrow!
Dave & Buster's Meet-and-Greet
Last night's event was a huge success. Big props to CR guru (and not-so-frequent blog poster) Erin "The Law" Lawless for her work. As those of you who attended can tell, she's quite the event planner/organizer/overseer. Thanks to all the fans who came. Thanks to all the guys for their excellent ability at not-so-important video games. Thanks to PV and Coach for their insightful speeches. Thanks to all Wizards staffers that worked the event. Thanks to D&B for all their help.
Ok. That was a lot of thanks. No more thank-yous from me for the rest of the day. Now for some pictures. I'm not going to caption each one, so if you have a question about who is in a picture or what they are doing, go ahead and ask in the comments section.
Ok. That was a lot of thanks. No more thank-yous from me for the rest of the day. Now for some pictures. I'm not going to caption each one, so if you have a question about who is in a picture or what they are doing, go ahead and ask in the comments section.
Obligatory Disclaimer/Biggest Day Ever
Greetings Hillcrest Road readers. Hopefully we added a few bookmarks from the largest-ever hit total. I suppose that is because Soccer by Ives and The Offside Rules gave us some love again. Or maybe it's because we scooped them all on the Tiffany May interview, and everyone wanted to see what she had to say. Either way; it was a good day for Hillcrest Road.
Now for the serious portion. That post, while entertaining and light-hearted, in no way condones streaking. In fact, if anyone -- Ms. May included on her KC visit -- streaks at one of our games, the consequences will be quite severe. I know our readers are all smart enough to know that, but we figured we should throw that out there anyway.
Last night's meet-and-greet was excellent. Thank you to all the fans who came out to play against the guys, eat some finger food, drink some libations and talk a little trash. After last night, I'm sure many of you see how a lot of our players spend their free time -- playing video games and pop-a-shot. If there were an MLS pop-a-shot Best XI, Ryan Pore would be starting up top for sure. We'll be back with pictures from the event shortly.
Now for the serious portion. That post, while entertaining and light-hearted, in no way condones streaking. In fact, if anyone -- Ms. May included on her KC visit -- streaks at one of our games, the consequences will be quite severe. I know our readers are all smart enough to know that, but we figured we should throw that out there anyway.
Last night's meet-and-greet was excellent. Thank you to all the fans who came out to play against the guys, eat some finger food, drink some libations and talk a little trash. After last night, I'm sure many of you see how a lot of our players spend their free time -- playing video games and pop-a-shot. If there were an MLS pop-a-shot Best XI, Ryan Pore would be starting up top for sure. We'll be back with pictures from the event shortly.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
"Streaker" Exclusive/New Wizards Fan
Borrowed from SF at The Offside Rules.-----------------------------------------
Alright Tiffany, we really appreciate your answering a few questions for us. Thanks to your unique display last week in Tampa and the power of the internet, you’ve become the newest poster woman for American soccer.
First of all, tell us what was going through your mind in the moments before you jumped down onto the pitch and went on your now-famous dash?
My first dilemma was how I was to scale an almost nine-foot wall and get over security. At the moment I was not intoxicated and decided that I needed to chug a couple of beers before making my way onto the field. So my friend made the mad dash to the vendors...I never knew that he could run that fast!! haha
Had you been planning this for some time (as your attire would suggest), or was this a spur-of-the-moment decision?
The streaking part, yes. We had talked about it at prior games. We hadn't come to this game, thinking today was going to be the day it actually happened!! The attire part, I would like to thank the street vendor for supplying me with all the American flag get-up!! We basically bought him out of American flag bandannas!! My whole crew looked like I did!!
Did you have any hesitations, or was it all-systems-go once that moment came?
None.
What happened to the rest of your clothes? Will we see them on ebay sometime soon?
Well I found out after the fact that my friends were running around the stadium like crazies screaming, "WE HAVE THE STREAKER'S CLOTHES!! WHERE ARE YOU KEEPING HER?!!" They found me in security and safely returned my clothes so that the ride to jail was not as awkward. I kept them anonymous so that they wouldn't go down with me!! I'm a streaker, not a snitch! haha!!
We found you through your MySpace page, which says you are 16. According to arrest records, you are 25. What’s with the MySpace age?
Just to keep the MySpace daters away from searching for girls their age.....
What is your soccer background?
I have played throughout my life on organized teams. Now I just play for fun and enjoy going to games!!
Were you a Mutiny fan back in the day? If so, what was your reaction when the team folded?
Yes, and very disappointed their games days ended before I could streak one of them! :)
Who have you followed in MLS since they left town? The Wizards are your new favorite MLS club, aren’t we?
Wizards all the way baby!!
Alright, now the question everyone has really been wondering about. Why the bikini? Why not the real thing?
There were kids, and I also knew that my dad and brothers would be watching the game. It was more for the act of running out on the field to show my fan dedication!!
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For those of you that missed it, see Tiffany's jaunt here:
Heineman Gets Some Love...and Hillcrest Too
Martin Rogers at Yahoo! Sports posted an article today about OnGoal President Robb Heineman's unique and refreshing ownership style. Rogers cited Heineman's involvement here at Hillcrest Road and his penchant for posting on Big Soccer among his desirable qualities. As always, Robb gives some very good quotes and offers insight into his thinking and his goals. Check out the article here.
In one of the middle paragraphs, Rogers even cites Hillcrest Road and your responses as a measure of Heineman's success. Proud to see we're getting a little love from a highly esteemed soccer writer.
In one of the middle paragraphs, Rogers even cites Hillcrest Road and your responses as a measure of Heineman's success. Proud to see we're getting a little love from a highly esteemed soccer writer.
Upcoming Events
As you have all heard many times by now, our season kickoff meet-and-greet is tonight beginning at 5:30 p.m. (for season ticket holders) at Dave & Buster's at The Legends in KCK. Doors open to the non-season-ticket-holding public at 6:30. Fans will be able to take on the players at various arcade games for prizes and submit a bracket to challenge our resident college basketball guru Kerry Zavagnin. Anyone who beats Kerry's bracket (you get a head start; he filled his out yesterday, but you will have the advantage of knowing the results of half of today's games) will be entered into a drawing to win a Wizards jersey signed by Zavags himself.
TVs will be tuned to the NCAA tourney, but D&B's does not have Fox Soccer Channel, so you'll have to TiVo the U.S. U-23 squad's Olympic qualifying match. So that this doesn't happen in the future, we ask that as many of you guys as possible call D&B's to ask about FSC. If enough people call asking the same question, they will be more likely to order the channel and have it available for subsequent events. See you there!
Saturday we wrap-up pre-season training with a doubleheader in the Saturn Challenge Cup on the University of Oklahoma's campus in Norman, Okla. (suburb of Oklahoma City). The first team will take on Real Salt Lake at 6 p.m., with the reserves facing SMU shortly thereafter. If you're making the trip down, post a comment below so that fellow Wizards fans can meet up and cheer together.
Next Wednesday will be the first installment of The Jimmy Conrad Show for 2008. Jimmy and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will run the mics and have several guests stop by beginning at 7 p.m. CT. The show will be hosted LIVE at McFadden's across from Sprint Center in the Power and Light District and broadcast live on 810 WHB and streamed live at kcwizards.com. We held the Starting 11 Girls tryouts at McFadden's in February and had a great time. Join us next Wednesday for another Wizards-centric night downtown.
Then, next Saturday is the day we've been waiting for since the final whistle of the Houston game last fall. At 7 p.m. CT, we take on defending Supporters' Shield winners D.C. United at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in KCK. D.C. is fresh of a trouncing of Jamaica's Harbour View in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and features several new players this year. In last year's opener, we downed them 4-2 in stellar MLS debuts for Michael Harrington (goal 3 minutes into his professional career) and Coach Onalfo (4-2 victory over a highly rated side). How will new faces like Chance Myers, Ivan Trujillo and Claudio Lopez fare this time around? Find out next Saturday at the Ballpark!
TVs will be tuned to the NCAA tourney, but D&B's does not have Fox Soccer Channel, so you'll have to TiVo the U.S. U-23 squad's Olympic qualifying match. So that this doesn't happen in the future, we ask that as many of you guys as possible call D&B's to ask about FSC. If enough people call asking the same question, they will be more likely to order the channel and have it available for subsequent events. See you there!
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Saturday we wrap-up pre-season training with a doubleheader in the Saturn Challenge Cup on the University of Oklahoma's campus in Norman, Okla. (suburb of Oklahoma City). The first team will take on Real Salt Lake at 6 p.m., with the reserves facing SMU shortly thereafter. If you're making the trip down, post a comment below so that fellow Wizards fans can meet up and cheer together.
------------------------------------------
Next Wednesday will be the first installment of The Jimmy Conrad Show for 2008. Jimmy and voice of the Wizards Sean Wheelock will run the mics and have several guests stop by beginning at 7 p.m. CT. The show will be hosted LIVE at McFadden's across from Sprint Center in the Power and Light District and broadcast live on 810 WHB and streamed live at kcwizards.com. We held the Starting 11 Girls tryouts at McFadden's in February and had a great time. Join us next Wednesday for another Wizards-centric night downtown.
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Then, next Saturday is the day we've been waiting for since the final whistle of the Houston game last fall. At 7 p.m. CT, we take on defending Supporters' Shield winners D.C. United at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in KCK. D.C. is fresh of a trouncing of Jamaica's Harbour View in the CONCACAF Champions' Cup and features several new players this year. In last year's opener, we downed them 4-2 in stellar MLS debuts for Michael Harrington (goal 3 minutes into his professional career) and Coach Onalfo (4-2 victory over a highly rated side). How will new faces like Chance Myers, Ivan Trujillo and Claudio Lopez fare this time around? Find out next Saturday at the Ballpark!
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Training This Morning/Funny Stuff
Training went well again today, this time under sunny and windy skies. The team started with split drills with the defenders working on their shape and attacking players their shooting. Then, the players came together for a full-field 11 v 11 match. The only goal was scored by Ivan Trujillo and assisted by Carlos Marinelli.
In the player lounge after practice, Hillcrest Road found the following display:
Funny stuff. Props to whomever posted the sign. PV got a good laugh. Don't forget about tomorrow night's meet-and-greet at Dave & Buster's. The guys are pretty excited to take on some fans.
In the player lounge after practice, Hillcrest Road found the following display:
Funny stuff. Props to whomever posted the sign. PV got a good laugh. Don't forget about tomorrow night's meet-and-greet at Dave & Buster's. The guys are pretty excited to take on some fans.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Jerseys Now On Sale/Zavagnin QnA
It's been a busy day in Wizards blogville again. Fresh after posting a few shots of Claudio El Piojo Lopez in Wizards attire, we're back to inform you that Lopez #7 jerseys are now on sale. Actually, any Wizards jersey is now available for purchase. Replica jerseys (home and away) begin at $70 and are fully customizable. Youth sizes begin at $50.
Any name and number combination can be applied to a jersey for an additional $20. Buy a Lopez #7 jersey, a Conrad #12 jersey, a Conrad #84 jersey or a YOURNAME #YOURNUMBER jersey for $90 dollars. To order a jersey, call the Wizards front office at 913.387.3400. Orders can be mailed, picked up at our front office at 8900 State Line Road in Leawood or at merch stands on gamedays at CAB.
Take a look at some Lopez and Conrad jerseys already printed up. Also, below, take a look at how much some other sports teams are charging for customization. WOW.
$60 + plus jersey cost? SAY WHAT?
Hillcrest Road/kcwizards.com caught up with Kerry Zavagnin today after training for a 10-question session about his hobbies, his alma mater and his rookie teammates. Read the QnA here.
Any name and number combination can be applied to a jersey for an additional $20. Buy a Lopez #7 jersey, a Conrad #12 jersey, a Conrad #84 jersey or a YOURNAME #YOURNUMBER jersey for $90 dollars. To order a jersey, call the Wizards front office at 913.387.3400. Orders can be mailed, picked up at our front office at 8900 State Line Road in Leawood or at merch stands on gamedays at CAB.
Take a look at some Lopez and Conrad jerseys already printed up. Also, below, take a look at how much some other sports teams are charging for customization. WOW.
$60 + plus jersey cost? SAY WHAT?Hillcrest Road/kcwizards.com caught up with Kerry Zavagnin today after training for a 10-question session about his hobbies, his alma mater and his rookie teammates. Read the QnA here.
Pics From Practice/Photo Shoot
Piojo smiles for the camera during a Kansas City Wizards version of glamour shots. By all accounts (including his own), Claudio is very excited to be in Kansas City. During the media session today, Claudio even took a good-natured jab at teammate and captain Jimmy Conrad. "Jimmy isn't as funny as he thinks," Piojo said in response to a question about his new teammate. "I am funnier." Everyone laughed. Jimmy wasn't around to hear.
Behind the scenes of Lopez's shoot this afternoon. Check out that still-action shot of the ball heading out of the frame.
Ivan Trujillo poses wearing Kansas City blue. Ivan was great today with media members, getting a few laughs through the translator.
Action shot from today at practice. If you look closely enough, you can see the sweat coming off of Jack's head. A full photo gallery from today's session will be available later today at kcwizards.com. Special thank you to photographer Scott Pribyl for all his help and talent!
Training Today/Media Frenzy
Greetings Hillcrest loyalists, hopefully you're enjoying this chilly March day in KC. The guys got after it today after posing for a team picture. Practice was pretty standard. The goalkeepers trained on their own while the field players did a passing drill (three teams total with two teams on the inside and a third team around the field for wall-pass purposes). Eventually the guys joined together to play the same drill, this time with 'keepers.
After practice, Piojo and Ivan Trujillo were available for media. It was somewhat of a circus (in a good way), as nearly all our major media outlets were in attendance. Piojo and Ivan spoke to English-speaking reporters through a translator then had a word with KC Univision. Check the newscasts tonight and look for a report in the Star tomorrow. Coach, Piojo, Ivan, Jimmy and Hartman each spoke to reporters.
After the impromptu press conference, Piojo and Ivan posed for some pictures similar to what the rest of the guys did last month. We'll post a few of those in a little bit.
Don't forget about Thursday's event. We plan on having a good time with everyone.
After practice, Piojo and Ivan Trujillo were available for media. It was somewhat of a circus (in a good way), as nearly all our major media outlets were in attendance. Piojo and Ivan spoke to English-speaking reporters through a translator then had a word with KC Univision. Check the newscasts tonight and look for a report in the Star tomorrow. Coach, Piojo, Ivan, Jimmy and Hartman each spoke to reporters.
After the impromptu press conference, Piojo and Ivan posed for some pictures similar to what the rest of the guys did last month. We'll post a few of those in a little bit.
Don't forget about Thursday's event. We plan on having a good time with everyone.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Happy Monday/Upcoming Events
Hello all. Happy Monday, Happy St. Patrick's Day and Happy March Madness to everyone. The boys are back in town (sing it, don't say it) and will begin training tomorrow. We're taking the team picture prior to practice, with the training session beginning at 10:30 a.m. at Swope. We have four days of preparation time this week and two matches Saturday in the Saturn Challenge Cup on the University of Oklahoma's campus in Norman/Oklahoma City. The first team will play Real Salt Lake at 6 p.m. with the reserves taking on SMU shortly thereafter. Tickets for the event can be found here.
Our team is well represented in the NCAA tournament this year, as 9 players have an alma mater in the running for the national championship. Our UCLA contingent (Kevin Hartman, Jimmy Conrad, Sasha Victorine and fresh-from-campus Chance Myers) and North Carolina pair (Kerry Zavagnin and somewhat-fresh-from-campus Michael Harrington) have 1 seeds to cheer for. Aaron Hohlbein's Wisconsin secured a 3 seed and our two Michigan State guys (Ryan McMahen and Rauwshan McKenzie) will be cheering on a not-too-shabby 5 seed. The near-miss award go to Roger Espinoza of Ohio State.
As for the front-office staff? In a not-so-scientific, not-so-random sampling of front-office employees, Kansas fans far outvoted those of any other school. Staff members are rooting for the following schools:
Kansas (11)
Kansas State (3)
BYU
Clemson
Drake
Maryland-Baltimore County
Memphis
North Carolina
Southern Cal
Don't forget about Dave and Buster's this Thursday night. Season ticket holders will get in at 5:30, with doors opening to the general public at 6:30. Yes, TVs will be tuned to the NCAA tourney, and yes, you will be able to fill out a bracket against our resident college basketball wiz Kerry Zavagnin. If your bracket beats Kerry's, you will be entered into a drawing for a jersey signed by Kerry himself.
Our team is well represented in the NCAA tournament this year, as 9 players have an alma mater in the running for the national championship. Our UCLA contingent (Kevin Hartman, Jimmy Conrad, Sasha Victorine and fresh-from-campus Chance Myers) and North Carolina pair (Kerry Zavagnin and somewhat-fresh-from-campus Michael Harrington) have 1 seeds to cheer for. Aaron Hohlbein's Wisconsin secured a 3 seed and our two Michigan State guys (Ryan McMahen and Rauwshan McKenzie) will be cheering on a not-too-shabby 5 seed. The near-miss award go to Roger Espinoza of Ohio State.
As for the front-office staff? In a not-so-scientific, not-so-random sampling of front-office employees, Kansas fans far outvoted those of any other school. Staff members are rooting for the following schools:
Kansas (11)
Kansas State (3)
BYU
Clemson
Drake
Maryland-Baltimore County
Memphis
North Carolina
Southern Cal
Don't forget about Dave and Buster's this Thursday night. Season ticket holders will get in at 5:30, with doors opening to the general public at 6:30. Yes, TVs will be tuned to the NCAA tourney, and yes, you will be able to fill out a bracket against our resident college basketball wiz Kerry Zavagnin. If your bracket beats Kerry's, you will be entered into a drawing for a jersey signed by Kerry himself.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Wizards Drop First (and Last) Match of Argentina Trip/D&B
The guys are heading to the airport now, having lost the first match of the 2008 trip. Estudiantes captured a 3-0 win this morning. They scored 2 in the first and 1 in the second on our getaway-day. The guys will begin training in Kansas City Tuesday at Swope in final preparations for the 2008 home opener on March 29 against D.C. United.
Lineup:
Hartman, Jewsbury, Conrad, Wahl (Hohlbein 60), Myers (Leathers 60), Zavagnin, Marinelli (Morsink 60), Pore, Harrington, Sealy (Colombano 60), Trujillo (DiCicco 60)
Go to the front page of kcwizards.com for more details of next Thursday's meet and greet. Season ticket holders can enter beginning at 5:30. Doors open to the public at 6:30.
Join us next Thursday for some fun!
Lineup:
Hartman, Jewsbury, Conrad, Wahl (Hohlbein 60), Myers (Leathers 60), Zavagnin, Marinelli (Morsink 60), Pore, Harrington, Sealy (Colombano 60), Trujillo (DiCicco 60)
Go to the front page of kcwizards.com for more details of next Thursday's meet and greet. Season ticket holders can enter beginning at 5:30. Doors open to the public at 6:30.
Join us next Thursday for some fun!Thursday, March 13, 2008
Lopez Still Getting The Love
Frank Dell'Apa of the Boston Globe and Soccernet.com called Lopez one of the best DP signings since the rule was enacted prior to last season. To read the complete article, click here. The story is currently on the front of the U.S. section at Soccernet with a great picture from his days at America. See that here.
He also tells a nice story about a young Lopez and the near-miss he suffered with original club Racing back in 1994. Excerpt:
In the final weeks of Argentina's 1994 Apertura season, Racing Club was poised to win the championship. Many of the 60,000-plus Racing supporters at Estadio Juan Domingo Peron in Avellaneda were in a celebratory mood on a warm Friday night in late February, some scaling a 25-foot fence behind the goal to lead the cheering.
He also tells a nice story about a young Lopez and the near-miss he suffered with original club Racing back in 1994. Excerpt:
In the final weeks of Argentina's 1994 Apertura season, Racing Club was poised to win the championship. Many of the 60,000-plus Racing supporters at Estadio Juan Domingo Peron in Avellaneda were in a celebratory mood on a warm Friday night in late February, some scaling a 25-foot fence behind the goal to lead the cheering.
The Racing team, which included a 19-year-old forward named Claudio Javier Lopez, had momentum and motivation, plus a 1-0 halftime lead over Ferro Carril Oeste. But the action was just starting. Maybe it was coincidence, or maybe someone was trying to give Racing another advantage, but the lights in the visiting team's locker room went out, so Ferro spent halftime on the field, amid the din and pyrotechnics. And when Mariano Dalla Libera extended the lead to 2-0 early in the second half, Racing's title seemed secure.
Dalla Libera started the party by ripping off his shirt and twirling it, whipping up the crowd.
But that action by Dalla Libera -- who had long ago earned the nickname "El Loco" -- was the beginning of the end of Racing's season; he received his second caution (shirt removal had only recently become a yellow-card offense), Racing lost its inspirational playmaker and Ferro calmly rallied to tie. Racing supporters attempted to confront the officiating crew, waiting outside the locker room for an hour after the game, failing in their attempt only because they were diverted by a gunshot.
After the reporters from Clarin had filed their stories by cell phone, I joined them at a parrillada for a dinner which began well past midnight, returning to my hotel about 4 a.m.
Lopez and his Racing teammates probably had difficulty sleeping after that match, which did, indeed, cost them the title -- they finished a point behind first place River Plate.
Good story and good stuff.
Wizards Reserves Tie 1-1
Well it wasn't Boca or Velez. We actually played a club called Tristan Suarez today, with our reserves playing the entire match. We earned a 1-1 tie on the strength of fine goalkeeping from Eric Kronberg and a Jonathan Leathers goal. The game was played in 2 40-minute halves.
The first team, who beat San Lorenzo 3-0 yesterday, will be back in action tomorrow in our final match of the trip against LP Estudiantes. We then return to KC, where we will begin training next Tuesday, March 18.
Lineup:
Kronberg, Hohlbein, William, Kraus, Leathers, Souter, Lowery, Morsink (McKenzie 55), Troyano, Sealy (Santiago 55), Colombano (DiCicco 55)
Goals:
50th minute- Suarez goal
66th minute- Leathers scores off loose ball in penalty area. Rauwshan McKenzie got up the right flank and sent a cross to the penalty spot. The ball bounced around, eventually finding Leathers near the top of the area. He unleashed a right-footed lazer that beat the 'keeper to tie the match at 1.
Kronberg also made several key saves, including a couple of full-extension efforts. Onlookers noted his control of the penalty area and communication.
Photos:
The first team, who beat San Lorenzo 3-0 yesterday, will be back in action tomorrow in our final match of the trip against LP Estudiantes. We then return to KC, where we will begin training next Tuesday, March 18.
Lineup:
Kronberg, Hohlbein, William, Kraus, Leathers, Souter, Lowery, Morsink (McKenzie 55), Troyano, Sealy (Santiago 55), Colombano (DiCicco 55)
Goals:
50th minute- Suarez goal
66th minute- Leathers scores off loose ball in penalty area. Rauwshan McKenzie got up the right flank and sent a cross to the penalty spot. The ball bounced around, eventually finding Leathers near the top of the area. He unleashed a right-footed lazer that beat the 'keeper to tie the match at 1.
Kronberg also made several key saves, including a couple of full-extension efforts. Onlookers noted his control of the penalty area and communication.
Photos:
Piojo Lopez Stars on ESPN Deportes Radio
Yesterday, Piojo was gracious enough to call in to ESPN Deportes Radio from his hotel in Argentina. He was on the phone with Jorge Ramos y su banda for more than half an hour. The interview was completely in Spanish and was VERY well received. It is currently "Top Cast" on espndeportesradio.com's Podcast page. Listen in to the Podcast here. See espndeportesradio.com here.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Wizards Signage Auction
Those of you that attended any games last year will (hopefully) remember the Wizards posters that adorned some of the pillars at Arrowhead. Some of those are now up for auction via kcwizards.com. Below is the information written up on the items:
Bid now to win the 2007 In-Stadium Autographed Posters of the Kansas City Wizards players. They are right off the walls of Arrowhead Stadium and do have scratches and scrapes from wear and velcro strips on the back. They have each player's autograph on their poster and are made of thick plastic. They measure 25 inches in length by 89 inches in height. Local pick-up only, which can be arranged after final bidding. All proceeds go to the Kansas City Soccer Foundation, which works to assist Kansas City youth and underprivileged.
The auction features most of the returning players, Dynamo, Peter Vermes, Coach Onalfo, Eddie Johnson and Nick Garcia. To take part in the auction, click here.
Bid now to win the 2007 In-Stadium Autographed Posters of the Kansas City Wizards players. They are right off the walls of Arrowhead Stadium and do have scratches and scrapes from wear and velcro strips on the back. They have each player's autograph on their poster and are made of thick plastic. They measure 25 inches in length by 89 inches in height. Local pick-up only, which can be arranged after final bidding. All proceeds go to the Kansas City Soccer Foundation, which works to assist Kansas City youth and underprivileged.
The auction features most of the returning players, Dynamo, Peter Vermes, Coach Onalfo, Eddie Johnson and Nick Garcia. To take part in the auction, click here.
Kansas City 3-0 San Lorenzo
Hello Hillcrest Road readers, it's a great day to be a Kansas City soccer fan. It's spring outside (I hear birds chirping); our Designated Player has signed; the KC Kings are at nationals, and we keep on rolling through Argentine competition. We beat San Lorenzo 3-0 today on the power of two more goals from Trujillo and one from Marinelli, who continues his strong pre-season campaign. I don't have minutes or many details on the goals, so my apologies in advance for that. It was a 70 minute game and only Marinelli came out.
Lineup:
Hartman, Jewsbury, Conrad, Wahl, Myers, Zavagnin, Marinelli (Morsink 60), Pore, Harrington, Sealy, Trujillo
We're told Hartman made three excellent saves during the game to keep the clean sheet and that Conrad was very collected and sharp in central defense. Marinelli continued to direct the offense with his trademark flair and Trujillo was dangerous time and again. Overall, a great effort we are told.
We play either Boca or Velez tomorrow and then LP Estudiantes Friday. The boys will begin training next week Tuesday, play in Norman against Real Salt Lake and SMU next Saturday, then begin the regular-season against DCU March 29. See you all there!
Lineup:
Hartman, Jewsbury, Conrad, Wahl, Myers, Zavagnin, Marinelli (Morsink 60), Pore, Harrington, Sealy, Trujillo
We're told Hartman made three excellent saves during the game to keep the clean sheet and that Conrad was very collected and sharp in central defense. Marinelli continued to direct the offense with his trademark flair and Trujillo was dangerous time and again. Overall, a great effort we are told.
We play either Boca or Velez tomorrow and then LP Estudiantes Friday. The boys will begin training next week Tuesday, play in Norman against Real Salt Lake and SMU next Saturday, then begin the regular-season against DCU March 29. See you all there!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Upcoming Events/One More Vid
Hey everyone, just wanted to post a reminder about some of our upcoming events. We are getting very excited as the preseason winds down and we prepare for the home opener! 2008 will be a great year for the Wizards. As the Cauldron says, Wizards 'til I Die!
TONIGHT. Download your Wizards schedule to your Outlook calendar now. Click here for the file and instructions.
Thursday, March 20 Meet and Greet and Dave & Buster's. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. for season ticket holders and open to the general public at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 22 in Norman, Oklahoma. The first team will play Real Salt Lake at 6 p.m. in the final preseason tune-up. The Reserves will then play SMU at 8 p.m. We'd love to see some Wizards folks travel down for the trip. I know Downthebyline will be on hand. For tickets, go here.
Wednesday, March 26 at CoummunityAmerica Ballpark. We will hold media day out at CAB. Any media members reading up on us, don't forget to RSVP to Dave Borchardt to reserve your place and ensure you receive our special Wizards gift packs. They're going to be great!
Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29 Indoor Cash Cup. Compete in men's and coed divisions for cash prizes at the KC Soccerdome. Signing up for the tournament gets you tickets to the opener. More info here.
Last Piojo video for a while. Here's one from a Club America fan wishing Claudio the best after he departed the club prior to last season. Very good stuff; I dig the music, and I can't wait to see some America fans coming out to see one of their own in action in Kansas City. It turns out we play some pretty good soccer too.
TONIGHT. Download your Wizards schedule to your Outlook calendar now. Click here for the file and instructions.
Thursday, March 20 Meet and Greet and Dave & Buster's. The event will start at 5:30 p.m. for season ticket holders and open to the general public at 6:30 p.m.
Fans will be able to compete against and with players at various arcade games and compete for prizes. Mark your calendars for March 20; further details will be announced soon. All available players will attend the event.
Saturday, March 22 in Norman, Oklahoma. The first team will play Real Salt Lake at 6 p.m. in the final preseason tune-up. The Reserves will then play SMU at 8 p.m. We'd love to see some Wizards folks travel down for the trip. I know Downthebyline will be on hand. For tickets, go here.
Wednesday, March 26 at CoummunityAmerica Ballpark. We will hold media day out at CAB. Any media members reading up on us, don't forget to RSVP to Dave Borchardt to reserve your place and ensure you receive our special Wizards gift packs. They're going to be great!
Thursday, March 27 - Saturday, March 29 Indoor Cash Cup. Compete in men's and coed divisions for cash prizes at the KC Soccerdome. Signing up for the tournament gets you tickets to the opener. More info here.
Last Piojo video for a while. Here's one from a Club America fan wishing Claudio the best after he departed the club prior to last season. Very good stuff; I dig the music, and I can't wait to see some America fans coming out to see one of their own in action in Kansas City. It turns out we play some pretty good soccer too.
Wizards Tie Platense 0-0
We were held scoreless for the first time in our Argentina trip but still earned a point this morning, tying Platense 0-0 in 90 minutes (broken up into 3 30-minute segments). The first group played 30 minutes (mostly) with the second group playing the final 60. We play again tomorrow against San Lorenzo. Word is the first team will get a lengthy run-out.
Lineup:
Kronberg (Pardo 61), Jewsbury (Leathers 31), Conrad (William 31), Wahl (Hohlbein 31), Myers (Souter 31), Zavagnin (Morsink 31), Marinelli (Troyano 31), Harrington (Lowery 31), Pore (Kraus 31, McKenzie 61), Colombano (DiCicco 61), Trujillo (Santiago 31)
We are now 4-0-1 in Argentina and 5-2-3 during pre-season training.
Lineup:
Kronberg (Pardo 61), Jewsbury (Leathers 31), Conrad (William 31), Wahl (Hohlbein 31), Myers (Souter 31), Zavagnin (Morsink 31), Marinelli (Troyano 31), Harrington (Lowery 31), Pore (Kraus 31, McKenzie 61), Colombano (DiCicco 61), Trujillo (Santiago 31)
We are now 4-0-1 in Argentina and 5-2-3 during pre-season training.
Graphics Design Intern Opportunity
Wizards Nation:
Just when we thought the pace around the front office couldn't pick up, we go and sign an international superstar in Claudio Lopez. Needless to say, the pace has picked up. Speaking of international superstars, our graphics czar Chad Reynolds is looking for a graphics design intern (for college credit) to assist with Wizards and OnGoal collateral and branding projects. We're looking for someone with design experience, specifically layout and illustration (Adobe Illustrator experience a MUST; some Photoshop and InDesign also required). Personal laptop computer preferred, but not required.
Our graphics design needs are growing exponentially as we add properties to the OnGoal family, and this internship is a great way to get in on the ground floor.
If interested, please submit a 3-5 item sample of your work to creynolds@kcwizards.com.
Thanks,
Greg
Just when we thought the pace around the front office couldn't pick up, we go and sign an international superstar in Claudio Lopez. Needless to say, the pace has picked up. Speaking of international superstars, our graphics czar Chad Reynolds is looking for a graphics design intern (for college credit) to assist with Wizards and OnGoal collateral and branding projects. We're looking for someone with design experience, specifically layout and illustration (Adobe Illustrator experience a MUST; some Photoshop and InDesign also required). Personal laptop computer preferred, but not required.
Our graphics design needs are growing exponentially as we add properties to the OnGoal family, and this internship is a great way to get in on the ground floor.
If interested, please submit a 3-5 item sample of your work to creynolds@kcwizards.com.
Thanks,
Greg
Coyote Named/More YouTube
And so it ends. Erin Lawless/Andie Anderson/Kate Hudson takes the day and names the coyote. Our four-legged (well, it's actually two-legged) goose-deterring friend will forever be known as Crawl (Krull) the Warrior King. According to the goose droppings in the area, however, his name should be Princess Sofia.
I'm still not sick of watching Piojo score very pretty goals, so we're going to post a couple more. Enjoy:
Now see the same goal Joga Bonito style:
And another from this year:
I'm still not sick of watching Piojo score very pretty goals, so we're going to post a couple more. Enjoy:
Now see the same goal Joga Bonito style:
And another from this year:
Monday, March 10, 2008
Lance Out Six+ Weeks/El Piojo
As some on Big Soccer may have guessed, Lance Watson is out of commission for a while. Lance suffered a broken foot last week against Velez Sarsfield and will undergo surgery tomorrow. We always hate to see a player go down, and these broken feet are becoming quite pesky! Roger Espinoza suffered a broken foot earlier in pre-season and missed the Argentina trip. Get well soon, Lance.
Hopefully many of you have read or watched something about El Piojo, Claudio Lopez, today. Metro carried the teleconference (complete with a few operator mishaps) live, with Greg Cotton in studio before and after. Jump over to the website, www.kcwizards.com, for the archived version of the call. We also have photos from the Buenos Aires presser available on the home page.
How about another pretty goal from Piojo:
I think you have to be pretty decent to just put "Claudio" on your back. This guys makes YouTube searches fun.
Hopefully many of you have read or watched something about El Piojo, Claudio Lopez, today. Metro carried the teleconference (complete with a few operator mishaps) live, with Greg Cotton in studio before and after. Jump over to the website, www.kcwizards.com, for the archived version of the call. We also have photos from the Buenos Aires presser available on the home page.
How about another pretty goal from Piojo:
I think you have to be pretty decent to just put "Claudio" on your back. This guys makes YouTube searches fun.
Lopez Teleconference Live on Metro/kcwizards.com
Hello all, the Claudio Lopez press conference in Argentina is wrapping up as we speak. The teleconference for United States media begins in about an hour. That teleconference will be broadcast live in Kansas City on Metro Sports and online at kcwizards.com. Jump over to the website in an hour to listen as reporters send questions toward Lopez, Heineman, Vermes, Onalfo and Conrad.
Photos and video from the Argentina conference will be available later at kcwizards.com as well.
**Updated**
14 Argentine media members showed up with six TV cameras to cover the press conference. Looks like MLS and KCW are getting some love today in the Southern hemisphere.
Photos and video from the Argentina conference will be available later at kcwizards.com as well.
**Updated**
14 Argentine media members showed up with six TV cameras to cover the press conference. Looks like MLS and KCW are getting some love today in the Southern hemisphere.
Kansas City 2-1 River Plate
This morning prior to the announcement of our latest signing, star forward Claudio Lopez, the guys were in action against River Plate. We stayed undefeated so far on our Argentine trip, winning 2-1 on goals from Jack Jewsbury and recent open tryout participant Kevin Souter. The game was played in 35 minute halves. Sealy and Marinelli did not play because the match was on turf.
Lineup:
Hartman (Kronberg 36), Jewsbury (Leathers 36), Conrad (William 36), Wahl ( Hohlbein 36), Myers (Souter 36), Zavagnin (Lowery 36), Morsink (Troyano 36), Harrington (Kraus 36), Pore (McKenzie 36), Colombano (trialist Santiago 36), Trujillo (DiCicco 36)
Goals:
20th minute - Jewsbury converts penalty kick after Trujillo/Colombano combination in the area. Trujillo slipped Colombano through behind the defense. Colombano was taken down, and Jewsbury buried the ensuing PK.
43rd minute - River Plate equalizes.
60th minute - Kevin Souter puts home a rebound to give us a 2-1 victory. Leathers started the play with a run up the right flank, crossing for Kraus who headed the ball toward goal. The goalkeeper made the initial save, but Souter was there to put in the rebound and score his first goal during camp.
In advance of today's teleconference, which will be live on Metro Sports beginning at 1:25 p.m. CT, take a look at a couple of fun Lopez clips. Good stuff, ey?
Lineup:
Hartman (Kronberg 36), Jewsbury (Leathers 36), Conrad (William 36), Wahl ( Hohlbein 36), Myers (Souter 36), Zavagnin (Lowery 36), Morsink (Troyano 36), Harrington (Kraus 36), Pore (McKenzie 36), Colombano (trialist Santiago 36), Trujillo (DiCicco 36)
Goals:
20th minute - Jewsbury converts penalty kick after Trujillo/Colombano combination in the area. Trujillo slipped Colombano through behind the defense. Colombano was taken down, and Jewsbury buried the ensuing PK.
43rd minute - River Plate equalizes.
60th minute - Kevin Souter puts home a rebound to give us a 2-1 victory. Leathers started the play with a run up the right flank, crossing for Kraus who headed the ball toward goal. The goalkeeper made the initial save, but Souter was there to put in the rebound and score his first goal during camp.
In advance of today's teleconference, which will be live on Metro Sports beginning at 1:25 p.m. CT, take a look at a couple of fun Lopez clips. Good stuff, ey?
Sunday, March 9, 2008
3-09-08 Venue Update
This week's theme was Just Finish Baby!
In spite of Friday's surprise whiteout both Swope and CAB made great progress.
In the photo below that’s not snow on Field 3 -- thankfully it melted as quickly as it came -- that’s 2,500 tons of base gravel, finally in place on a dry sub base...amazing what a little sun lets you accomplish. Next comes the installation and laser grading of 400 tons of the top layer of fine gravel on Sunday and Monday, then a final survey on Tuesday and we’re ready for FieldTurf to go down. The sports lights are all wired and we’ll turn them on for the first time later this coming week.
I threw this last shot in so you can see the controlled chaos of a site just before it is finished. The view is from just inside Gate B looking down the under-stand concourse toward Gate C.
This coming week we look to set our new box office outside Gate B and the TV commentary cabins on the concourse.
20 days left and it’s all coming together nicely!
Go Wizards,
In spite of Friday's surprise whiteout both Swope and CAB made great progress.
In the photo below that’s not snow on Field 3 -- thankfully it melted as quickly as it came -- that’s 2,500 tons of base gravel, finally in place on a dry sub base...amazing what a little sun lets you accomplish. Next comes the installation and laser grading of 400 tons of the top layer of fine gravel on Sunday and Monday, then a final survey on Tuesday and we’re ready for FieldTurf to go down. The sports lights are all wired and we’ll turn them on for the first time later this coming week.
Outside the field, concrete stairs and sidewalks are complete and all that’s left is a little fencing work, installation of the kick nets and working the final grades in preparation for seeding.
Out at CAB, you can hardly recognize the place. The concrete work for the Cauldron seating is finished and looks great. Bleachers for this section arrive this week and will take the next two weeks to install. And the best thing is weather can’t delay us now. Hope that wasn’t a jinks.
But the really big change is the addition of the concourse bleachers. This type of seating goes in quickly -- the builder, Seating Solutions, arrived Thursday morning and the pictures below were taken late Saturday afternoon. The photos give you a good idea of how these stands enclose the NW corner of the stadium and how the fans in these seats will have greats views to the action.
Out at CAB, you can hardly recognize the place. The concrete work for the Cauldron seating is finished and looks great. Bleachers for this section arrive this week and will take the next two weeks to install. And the best thing is weather can’t delay us now. Hope that wasn’t a jinks.
But the really big change is the addition of the concourse bleachers. This type of seating goes in quickly -- the builder, Seating Solutions, arrived Thursday morning and the pictures below were taken late Saturday afternoon. The photos give you a good idea of how these stands enclose the NW corner of the stadium and how the fans in these seats will have greats views to the action.
I threw this last shot in so you can see the controlled chaos of a site just before it is finished. The view is from just inside Gate B looking down the under-stand concourse toward Gate C.
This coming week we look to set our new box office outside Gate B and the TV commentary cabins on the concourse.
20 days left and it’s all coming together nicely!
Go Wizards,
DF
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