Wizards and Kings this weekend

Kansas City Wizards

On Saturday the Wizards drew the NY Red Bulls 4-4 down in Bradenton.  Claudio Lopez scored twice and Josh Wolff garnered three assists.   Lopez scored the first goal of the game but the Wizards trailed 2-1 at the half.  In a four minute span in the second half rookie Graham Zusi scored and the n Lopez gave KC their second lead.  But again the Wizards fell behind, 4-3, on goals from NY’s St.Preux.  Finally, in the 89th minute a Souter corner kick eventually found McKenzie for the draw.

The Wizards are 2-1-0 (WDL) in the preseason and face Columbus on Wednesday before coming back to KC.

Here’s the Hillcrest commentary on the NY game.

And if you like, here are some Wizards preseason stats I posted over on big soccer.  It has number of games, starts, goals, assists and positions played.

Kansas City Kings

According to the Springfield Demize website, which covers the PASL and the PDL in Springfield, MO, the Kings defeated the Demize again.  This time KC won 11-0.  The Kings are now 6-1-0 (WDL) and I think they actually won their division last week when the defeated the Demize in Springfield 13-3.

At the moment I don’t have other stats from the game.  The Kings have just one game left in league play.

The Kings next game is on February 21 against the St. Louis Illusion Reserves at the KC Soccerdome.  Pretty sure this isn’t a league game.

The PASL Premier International Finals will be held in Las Vegas on March 6th and 7th.

6 Feb. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Wizards Roster Break Down

 US Men’s National Team Faces Mexico Wednesday

Soccerball: giving Major League Soccer a chance

Sounders FC and MLS Primer

Training Notes – February 5, 2009

Garcia Returns To Laredo

WPS release full schedule. FC Gold Pride in trouble if they win regular season.

AG

5 Feb. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Wizards Continue Early Success

Ciao David Beckham

Honduran mood damped by setbacks

New Signing On the Way?

USA Men hosting fan contest, “Call It Like You See It”

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 4, 2009

 
Kansas City Wizards Defeat Chicago Fire 3-2 Wednesday in Preseason Match
 
Scoring Summary:
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (Roland Paul Bebey Kingue) 38’
CHI – Patrick Nyarko (unassisted) 40’
KC – Aaron Hohlbein (Kevin Souter) 49’
KC – Davy Arnaud (penalty kick) 53’
KC – Rauwshan McKenzie (Graham Zusi) 70’
 
(February 4, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards defeated the Chicago Fire 3-2 Wednesday morning in a preseason match in Bradenton, Fla. Chicago took the lead with two first-half goals before the Wizards answered with three goals after the break. Kansas City is now 2-0-0 in exhibition games.
 
In the 38th minute, Chicago defender Roland Paul Bebey Kingue carried the ball into the right corner and centered for second-year forward Patrick Nyarko. Nyarko made no mistake, heading the ball home from 8 yards out. Just two minutes later, Nyarko collected a loose ball in midfield and carried toward goal. He was able to hold off two defenders and slot ball past Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman from top of the 18 for a 2-0 Chicago lead.

Left back Michael Harrington started the Wizards first scoring play in the 49th minute with an authoritative run up the left flank that earned a corner kick. Midfielder Kevin Souter played the ensuing corner, and Aaron Hohlbein headed the ball home to cut the deficit in half.

In the 53rd minute, midfielder Davy Arnaud and Graham Zusi worked into the penalty area on a 2v2 break. Arnaud laid the ball off the Zusi, who was hauled down for a penalty kick. Arnaud took the spot kick and buried it into the left corner of the goal as the Chicago goalkeeper guessed incorrectly, tying the match at 2-2.

Rookie Zusi also played part in the game-winning goal in the 70th minute, as he spun a corner kick into the area for second-year defender Rauwshan McKenzie. McKenzie hit a strong header just under the crossbar for a 3-2 Kansas City lead. The game was not yet decided, however, as Chicago midfielder Idrissa Kone got free behind the defense in the 84th minute. Kone was clear to goal, but Kansas City goalkeeper Boris Pardo stopped 1v1 to seal a 3-2 victory for the Wizards.
 
The Wizards began their preseason campaign with a 7-0 victory last Saturday against the United States Under-17 National Team. Kansas City next plays the New York Red Bulls Saturday at 9 a.m. CT in another preseason match in Bradenton.
 
Kansas City Wizards: Kevin Hartman (Boris Pardo 46); Jonathan Leathers (Chance Myers 60), Jimmy Conrad (Rauwshan McKenzie 46), Aaron Hohlbein, Michael Harrington (Matt Besler 60); Ferenc Beres, Kevin Souter (Lance Watson 60), Davy Arnaud (Kurt Morsink 60), Claudio Lopez (Graham Zusi 46); Abe Thompson (Nelson Pizarro 60), Josh Wolff (Michael Kraus 46)
 
Chicago Fire: Nick Noble (Andrew Dykstra 45, Tyler Kettering 60); Brandon Prideaux (Roland Paul Bebey Kingue 45, Marco Calic 70), Bakary Soumare (Ramos Dyoub 45), Dasan Robinson (CJ Brown 45, Igor Lozo 70), Gonzalo Segares (Tim Ward 45); Marco Pappa (Austin Washington 45), Logan Pause (Anton Peterlin 45), Baggio Husidic (Peter Lowry 45, Idrissa Kone 70), Justin Mapp (Michel Mongue 45, Alfonso Rippa 70); Patrick Nyarko (Richard Jata 45), Brian McBride (Stefan Dimitrov 45)
 

AG

4 Feb. News and Blogs you might have missed.

The Star (editorial)

McCarthy’s Musings: Zambrano Forges MLS Path

Wizards

Mexico expects cold welcome for U.S. match

The Demolition of Bannister Mall – February 3, 2009

Mall demo 02-03-2009

Bannister Demolition Continues

MLS Ticker: McBride never close to a loan, TFC makes another deal and more

Victorine Signs Contract With Chivas USA

Wizards continue training in Florida

Sol to Announce Signing of “Female Beckham” Aya Miyama Wednesday & More

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 3, 2009

 
Midfielder Roger Espinoza Makes Honduras Roster for World Cup Qualifier Feb. 11 in Costa Rica
 
Espinoza Scored 1st International Goal Sunday in UNCAF Nations Cup 3rd Place Match
 
(February 3, 2009) – Kansas City Wizards midfielder Roger Espinoza will remain with the Honduras National Team for a World Cup Qualifier next Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Costa Rica. Espinoza earned his first appearance for his birth nation Jan. 22 in Honduras’ first game of the 2009 UNCAF (Central American Football Union) Nations Cup. Espinoza appeared three times during the five-game tournament, including his first career start Sunday. Espinoza scored the game’s lone goal, his first in international play, as Honduras defeated El Salvador 1-0 to finish in 3rd place. Honduras qualified for the CONCACAF Gold Cup held this summer by finishing in the top 5.
 
Espinoza will become the 5th current Wizards player with World Cup Qualifying experience should he enter next Wednesday. Defender Jimmy Conrad, midfielder Davy Arnaud and forward Josh Wolff have all appeared in at least one qualifier for the United States. Striker Claudio Lopez has appeared in qualifiers for Argentina. Conrad, Lopez and Wolff also have World Cup experience.
 
Kansas City selected Espinoza with the 11th overall selection in the 2008 MLS SuperDraft after he signed with MLS as a member of the Generation adidas program. As part of the program, adidas pays for him to continue his education while playing in the League. During his first year with the Wizards, Espinoza scored one goal and added three assists in 22 games (12 starts). He was among the rookie leaders in games played, minutes played and assists.
 
Honduras has a busy international schedule ahead in 2009, with ten games in World Cup 2010 qualifying. They will also compete in the CONCACAF Gold Cup July 3 – 26 on U.S. soil. 
 
Honduras Roster for Feb. 11 World Cup Qualifier:
 
Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares, Jhonn Bodden
Defenders: Mario Beata, Emilio Izaguirre, Víctor Bernárdez, Osman Chávez, Bonieck García, Maynor Figueroa, Iván Guerrero
Midfielders: Ramón Núñez, Hendry Thomas, Emil Martínez, Róger Espinoza, Amado Guevara, Mariano Acevedo, Marvin Chávez, Mario César Rodríguez
Forwards: David Suazo, Carlos Will Mejía, Saúl Martínez, Walter Martínez
 

 

AG

3 Feb. News and Blogs you might have missed.

MLS ticket renewals bucking the economy

Espinoza Called Up for World Cup Qualifier

The Soccer365 Grapevine

Sealy Signs With Tel Aviv; Gets Assist In Debut

Wizards goalkeeper Hartman chronicles training in diary

MLS PreseasonPreview

U.S. bids for 2018, 2022 World Cups; no expansion news; Athletica notes

USA vs. Mexico countdown: Your chance to make a historic call

 

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

 

* Kansas City Wizards Announce 2009 Schedule
* Wizards Continue Preseason Training with Two Friendlies
* Espinoza Makes First International Start, Scores First International Goal
* Jewsbury Remains with U.S. National Team
* Kansas City Wizards Lower Season Ticket Prices for 2009 Season
* Demolition Commences at Bannister Mall
* Wizards Hold 2nd Annual Open Tryouts March 7-8
 
Kansas City Wizards Announce 2009 Schedule
 
The Kansas City Wizards announced last week the 30-game 2009 Major League Soccer (MLS) regular-season schedule. For a third consecutive season, every Kansas City Wizards game will be televised. Games not shown exclusively in English by a national broadcast partner will be shown live locally on Metro Sports. Metro Sports is available on Time Warner Cable (Channel 30), Comcast (Channel 258) and Sunflower Cable in Lawrence, Kan. (Channel 37). Metro Sports will also televise Wizards games in Spanish on Time Warner Cable Channel 5, the Around Town Channel. The Wizards open the season Saturday, March 21 at 7:30 p.m. CT against Toronto FC at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
 
Season ticket packages for 2009 are still available, starting as low as $180. Contact the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 for tickets or visit www.kcwizards.com. Individual tickets go on sale through Ticketmaster on Thursday, Feb. 19.  Contact Ticketmaster via phone at (816) 931-3330 or online at Ticketmaster.com. Call for details on how to get the limited tickets available at CommunityAmerica Ballpark to see the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, July 25.
 
Kansas City Wizards 2009 Schedule
 
GMDATE (TV)OPPONENTVENUETIME (CT)
1Saturday, Mar 21 (MS)Toronto FCHome7:30
2Saturday, Mar 28 (MS)Colorado RapidsAway8:30
3Saturday, Apr 4 (MS)San Jose EarthquakesHome7:30
4Saturday, Apr 11 (MS)Seattle Sounders FCAway9:30
5Saturday, Apr 18 (FSC, FSE)Chicago FireAway7:30
6Thursday, Apr 23 (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes)New York Red BullsHome7:00
7Sunday, Apr 26 (MS)Toronto FCAwayTBD
8Wednesday, May 6 (MS)D.C. UnitedHome7:30
9Saturday, May 9 (FSC)Columbus CrewAway6:00
10Saturday, May 16 (MS)Real Salt LakeAway8:00
11Saturday, May 23 (FSC)Club Deportivo Chivas USAHome7:30
12Saturday, May 30 (MS)Los Angeles GalaxyAway9:30
13Saturday, Jun 6 (MS)Columbus CrewHome7:30
14Saturday, Jun 13 (MS)New England RevolutionHome7:30
15Saturday, Jul 4 (MS)Houston DynamoHome8:00
16Saturday, Jul 11 (MS)New England RevolutionAwayTBD
17Saturday, Jul 25 (MS)Los Angeles GalaxyHome7:30
18Saturday, Aug 1 (MS)FC DallasAway7:30
19Saturday, Aug 8 (MS)D.C. UnitedAway7:00
20Sunday, Aug 16 (TeleFutura, MS)Chicago FireHome2:00
21Saturday, Aug 22 (MS)San Jose EarthquakesAway9:00
22Saturday, Aug 29 (MS)Real Salt LakeHome7:30
23Saturday, Sep 5 (MS)New England RevolutionAway6:30
24Saturday, Sep 12 (MS)New York Red BullsAway6:30
25Saturday, Sep 19 (MS)FC DallasHome7:30
26Saturday, Sep 26 (MS)Colorado RapidsHome7:30
27Sunday, Oct 4 (TeleFutura, MS)Houston DynamoAway2:00
28Saturday, Oct 10 (MS)Club Deportivo Chivas USAAway9:30
29Saturday, Oct 17 (MS)Seattle Sounders FCHome7:30
30Saturday, Oct 24 (MS)D.C. UnitedHome7:30

 
Key:
MS = Metro Sports (English), Time Warner Cable Channel 5 (Spanish)
FSC, FSE = Fox Soccer Channel, Fox Sports en Español
 
Wizards Continue Preseason Training With Friendlies Wednesday Against Chicago Fire, Saturday Against New York Red Bulls
 
The Kansas City Wizards continue pre-season training this week in Bradenton, Fla. with a pair of exhibition matches against MLS opponents. On Wednesday, Kansas City will face the Chicago Fire at 9 a.m. CT. The Wizards will then face the New York Red Bulls, 2008 MLS Cup finalists, Saturday at 9 a.m. CT. Kansas City will train in Bradenton through Feb. 11. The Wizards will then return to Kansas City for five days before departing to Guadalajara, Mexico to train at the facilities of partner club Atlas AC of the Mexican first division.
 
Kansas City opened its exhibition schedule with a 7-0 win over the United States Under-17 National Team. KCW Juniors goalkeeper Jonathan Kempin played the opening 45 minutes for the youth national team, allowing two goals while making two saves. Kempin played for the KCW Juniors U-16s and Blue Valley North High School before being recruited to join the U.S. U-17 Residency Program.
 
UPCOMING TRAINING CAMPS
 
Dates                                     Location
Jan. 29 – Feb. 11                Training Camp in Bradenton, Fla.
Feb. 13 – Feb. 17                Training in Kansas City
Feb. 19 – March 4               Training Camp in Guadalajara, Mexico
 
Midfielder Roger Espinoza Earns First Career Start, Scores First Career Goal for Honduras
 
Kansas City Wizards midfielder Roger Espinoza earned his first career start and scored his first career goal Sunday in a 1-0 win over El Salvador. Honduras finished in 3rd place in the 2009 UNCAF (Central American Football Union) Nations Cup with the win. By finishing in the top five in the tournament, Honduras qualified for the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Espinoza played in three matches in the tournament, recording one start and one goal. He has quickly become one of Honduras’ brightest prospects, as Head Coach Reinaldo Rueda tabbed Espinoza an up-and-coming star. Honduras travels to face Costa Rica Wednesday, Feb. 11 in a World Cup 2010 qualifier.
 
Midfielder Jack Jewsbury Remains with U.S. National Team
 
Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury remains with the U.S. National Team ahead of next Wednesday’s World Cup qualifier against Mexico at Columbus Crew Stadium. Jewsbury has been with Bob Bradley’s squad since early January. The heated United States and Mexico rivalry sees a third installment from Crew Stadium, where the U.S. is 2-0 against the tri-color. The match starts at 6 p.m. CT live on ESPN2 HD and Univision.

 

AG

2 Feb. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Espinoza’s First Start

A View of the Terraces – Respectable Attendance Figures in the MLS

Herculez Suffers Torn Meniscus

INCOMING: Ferenc Béres to Kansas City?

Honduras vs. El Salvador – UNCAF Nations Cup

US-Mexico countdown: No. 11

In Florida, Wizards won’t be taking a break

Wizards Trialists

Pride 1/30/09  “Kansas City Wizards Passback Program: Willard Parks and Recreation has been selected to take part and receive donations in the Kansas City Wizards / US Soccer Foundation Passback Program. The Passback Program is a grassroots initiative designed to help meet the soccer uniform and equipment needs of all communities, regardless of income, gender or location. The Kansas City Wizards will be collecting new soccer equipment from March June of this year. After the drive, a large portion of the donations will be coming directly to the Willard Parks and Recreation Department. The donations will be distributed to the Willard Soccer teams for the fall 2009 season”

AG