30 April. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Kansas City Wizards Reserves 3 – 0 Missouri State

Former Wizards Update

Pizarro Gone

MLS Hanging Tough in Recession

Really Stupid Commentary, Part I

Question and Answer with Kerry Zavagnin and Eric Kronberg

AG

29 April. News and Blogs you might have missed.

 

March/April Player of the Month

Take a look

MLS Power Rankings: Week 7

Dog’s Night at the Wizards!

Major League Soccer All-Star Kevin Hartman Campaigns for Parental Involvement

Videos: MLS Funny Men

AG

28 April. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Toronto Takes Season Series

2009 interview poll – Week 6

This Week In Southwest Missouri Soccer

Player Ratings: KC Wizards at Toronto FC

Monday Thoughts: Chivas Questions, FCD, and more

MLS 2009: Week 6 Recaps

SBI MLS Power Rankings (Week 6)

Onalfo looks to his team to close the deal

About Hillcrest Syndicate

TFC, Dichio bring title back to Canada

Alcohol linked to KU student’s death “According to the fraternity’s national headquarters in Indianapolis, Hawkins had been with his fraternity brothers at a Kansas City Wizards game on Thursday …”

 

Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update

* Weekly Schedule
* Buy Your 3-Game Pack Including the Next Wizards Match
* Hartman, Pardo Jerseys Auctioned Off for Charity
* TWC Donates Tickets to Ozanam, Cornerstones of Care
* Wizards Participate in “Yappy Hour” Event Wednesday at Leawood 810 Zone
* The Jimmy Conrad Show Airs Wednesday from Overland Park Fox and Hound
* Wizards Take Part in Corporate Challenge Launch
* Defender Matt Besler to Attend Overland Park Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast
* Defender Chance Myers Featured at CosmoGirl.com
* Spanish-Language Coach’s Show Airs Thursday
* Harrington, Jewsbury Participate in Pop-Ins This Week
 
WEEKLY SCHEDULE:
The Kansas City Wizards have next weekend off, creating their longest break thus far in the 2009 season. Kansas City will begin training Wednesday after the team arrived Monday afternoon from Toronto. The KCW Reserves will also face Missouri State in a friendly match Wednesday at 11 a.m. CT at the team’s Swope Park Training Center. The Wizards return to action Wednesday, May 6 with a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff against D.C. United. Tickets for that match are available through this link, by calling the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or visiting kcwizards.com or Ticketmaster.com.
 
Date                                       Time                       Location                                               
Tuesday, April 28                                OFF       Wednesday, April 29          10 a.m. CT            Swope Park Training Center (Reserve Match 11 a.m.)
Thursday, April 30               10 a.m. CT            Swope Park Training Center
Friday, May 1                       10 a.m. CT            Swope Park Training Center
 
BUY YOUR THREE-GAME PACK FOR WIZARDS NEXT MATCH:
The Kansas City Wizards have expanded their popular three-game package to include Kansas City’s upcoming match against D.C. United on May 6, the Los Angeles Galaxy and David Beckham’s next trip to town on Saturday, July 25 and a third match of your choice. To purchase the three-game pack, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400.
 
HARTMAN, PARDO JERSEYS AUCTIONED OFF FOR CHARITY:
Goalkeepers Kevin Hartman and Boris Pardo wore a special patch during last Thursday’s match to celebrate the military presence from Whiteman Air Force Base at the game. A B2 Bomber from Whiteman flew over CommunityAmerica Ballpark before the match, bringing a sellout crowd of 10,385 to their feet. The Hartman and Pardo jerseys will now be auctioned off to benefit charities of Whiteman’s choice. 
 
TIME WARNER CABLE DONATES TICKETS TO OZANAM, CORNERSTONES OF CARE:
Time Warner Cable, the match sponsor from last Thursday’s match against the New York Red Bulls, provided tickets for local charities Ozanam and Cornerstones of Care. Thanks to the generous gift from Time Warner Cable, 100 children from Ozanam and Cornerstones of Care were able to see the Wizards defeat New York 1-0 as part of a sellout crowd.
 
About Ozanam
Ozanam represents more than 60 years of providing the best quality services to thousands of children and families who need it most. On its main campus in South Kansas City, Ozanam has grown from a single-service boys’ home into a multi-service treatment center offering both residential and educational day treatment programs for boys and girls ages 12 to 18. In addition to its campus-based programs, Ozanam reaches out to the community even more by providing additional independent living services and consultation services for schools. With your support, Ozanam can change lives.
 
About Cornerstones of Care
Ozanam is a founding member of Cornerstones of Care, an organization that began in 1998 to provide a variety of treatment options and support services to the community. It consists of five agencies (Ozanam, Gills, Marillac, Spofford, and Healthy Families Counseling and Support) that have served Kansas City for nearly a collective 400 years. The formation of Cornerstones of Care has enabled these five agencies to combine resources to respond more effectively and efficiently to the ever-changing needs of children and families.
 
WIZARDS PARTICIPATE IN “YAPPY HOUR” EVENT WEDNESDAY:
Who: Assistant Coach Kerry Zavagnin, GK Eric Kronberg
When: Wednesday, April 29; 5:30-7:00 p.m.
Where: 810 Zone, Leawood, KS
What: The Kansas City Wizards, along with Three Dog Bakery, the Humane Society, Animal Haven, and Wayside Waifs, will be holding Yappy Hour to promote Dog’s Night at the Kansas City Wizards game on Saturday, May 23. Mobile pet adoption units will be on site, and 10% of dinner sales that night at 810 Zone will go back to the participating shelters. To purchase tickets to Dogs Night at the Wizards, visit this page at kcwizards.com. 

THE JIMMY CONRAD SHOW AIRS WEDNESDAY FROM FOX AND HOUND:
Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad will be back on the radio airwaves Wednesday night offering the latest news and talk from around Major League Soccer. The Jimmy Conrad Show, presented by Budweiser, returns Wednesday night on Sports Radio 810 WHB from 7-8 p.m. CT and simulcast online at kcwizards.com. This week’s edition of the show will be broadcast live from Fox and Hound English Pub & Grill in Overland Park, Kan. Fans are encouraged to watch the show live in person for a chance to win great prizes.
Fox and Hound English Pub & Grille – Overland Park
10428 Metcalf
Indian Creek Shopping Center
Overland Park, KS 66212
Phone: (913) 649-1700
In 2009, the Wizards will take registrations from fans at each edition of the Jimmy Conrad Show for month-end drawings. Prizes will include Field Side Reserved tickets, a clinic from a Wizards player, a Football/Futbol double-header package and a VIP Meet & Greet session after a training session. Each fan can enter that month’s drawing each time they attend The Jimmy Conrad Show. The Jimmy Conrad Show will be held at different bars throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area, and the schedule for future weeks will be released in the coming days. The show will run from 7-8 p.m. CT each week except for a small number of nights when the time will change due to programming conflicts on Sports Radio 810 WHB.

 
WIZARDS TAKE PART IN CORPORATE CHALLENGE LAUNCH FRIDAY:
The Kansas City Wizards will take part in Friday’s Corporate Challenge kickoff event at Arrowhead Stadium. Between 15-18,000 people are expected gather to begin another year of the popular KC Corporate Challenge. Children’s Mercy Hospital is sponsoring a “Kids Club” to help fight childhood obesity, and the Wizards will be there to support the cause. The event begins Friday at 4:30 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium.
 
MATT BESLER TO ATTEND OVERLAND PARK MAYOR’S PRAYER BREAKFAST:
Rookie defender and Overland Park native Matt Besler will appear Friday at the 34th annual edition of the Overland Park Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. Former Wizards player Goran Hunjak is the special guest speaker for the breakfast that starts at 6:45 a.m. CT at the Overland Park Marriott.
 
DEFENDER CHANCE MYERS FEATURED AT COSMOGIRL.COM:
Second-year Wizards defender Chance Myers is one of 15 MLS players featured at CosmoGirl.com. Major League Soccer and CosmoGirl.com unveiled today an online photo gallery where readers can comment on who they believe is the best looking young player in MLS. The photo gallery of MLS players can be seen here. Readers are encouraged to leave their comments on who they think is the best looking.  The players in the photo gallery include: Chicago Fire MF Logan Pause, Colorado Rapids MF Colin Clark, Chivas USA MF Sacha Kljestan, Columbus Crew MF Robbie Rogers, D.C. United F Chris Pontius, FC Dallas F Peri Marosevic, Houston Dynamo MF Stuart Holden, Kansas City Wizards D Chance Myers, LA Galaxy D A.J. DeLaGarza, New York Red Bulls GK Danny Cepero, New England Revolution D Chris Tierney, Real Salt Lake MF Will Johnson, San Jose Earthquakes MF Arturo Alvarez, Seattle Sounders FC MF Brad Evans and Toronto FC D Marvell Wynne. Readers can also enter to win one of 15 autographed MLS jerseys. Each player involved has autographed one girl-sized jersey. One lucky reader will win the grand prize: an official adidas MLS game ball signed by the LA Galaxy. A CosmoGirl blog post that links to the sweepstakes as well as the photo gallery can be found here. The photo gallery and giveaways are featured on CosmoGirl’s homepage at www.cosmogirl.com.

SPANISH-LANGUAGE COACH’S SHOW AIRS THURSDAY ON 1480 AM:
Wizards Head Coach Curt Onalfo will join Enrique Morales Thursday at 5 p.m. CT for his weekly Spanish-language coach’s show on Ke Buena 1480 AM. Spanish-speaking fans are encouraged to listen for a recap of last week’s two matches against the New York Red Bulls and Toronto FC.
 
HARRINGTON, JEWSBURY PARTICIPATE IN POP-INS THIS WEEK:
Who: D Michael Harrington
When: Monday, April 27; 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Where: Franke Soccer Fields, Lee’s Summit, MO
What: Jabai FC soccer players will have the opportunity to get some pointers from a pro, as Michael Harrington will “pop-in” to help with their practice and talk to the children about teamwork.
 
Who: M Jack Jewsbury
When: Tuesday, April 28; 5:45-6:45 p.m.
Where: Stoll Park, Overland Park, KS
What: JCYS Les Bleus soccer players will have the opportunity to get some pointers from a pro, as Jack Jewsbury will “pop-in” to help with their practice and talk to the children about teamwork.

AG

27 April. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Major League Soccer Recap: Toronto Wins 2

It’s Called Football Show

Wizards lose 1-0 at Toronto

Toronto FC Top Eastern Conference After Defeating KC

Toronto FC defeats Kansas City in first game after Carver’s resignation

Toronto FC suddenly grabs top spot

Two & counting

MLS Power Rankings Week Six: The Best Defense Is a Good Offense

Second career fair may be ‘just in time’

Oh Canada, what did you do to John Carver? (KC-TOR Pregame)

 

Wizards Now Tied for 2nd Place with Chicago Fire, Toronto Inherits 1st Place in East
 
Major League Soccer Game 7
Sunday, April 26, 2009 – 4:00 p.m. (CT)
English TV: Metro Sports; Español TV: Time Warner Cable Channel 5
Español Radio: La Gran D 1340 AM
BMO Field – Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Weather: 48 and cloudy
Attendance: 20,056
 
Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
Toronto FC (3-2-2, 11 pts)                                              0              1              1
Kansas City Wizards (3-3-1, 10 pts)                            0              0              0
                                                                                                   
Scoring Summary:
TFC – Danny Dichio 1 (Sam Cronin 1, Marvell Wynne 1) 54’
 
(April 26, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards fell to Toronto FC 1-0 Sunday, suffering their first shutout in the last 18 MLS regular-season matches. With the win, Toronto jumped into 1st place in the Eastern Conference, while the Wizards are tied with the Chicago Fire for 2nd place. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made four saves on the night, reaching 1154 for his career.
 
Hartman made two nice plays in the opening stanza to keep Toronto FC scoreless as the Wizards controlled the majority of possession. In the 7th minute, Hartman came quickly off his line to clear a ball in front of TFC forward Pablo Vitti. Then in the 34th minute, Hartman extended fully to parry a half-volley off the foot of Honduran international midfielder Amado Guevara wide of goal.
 
In the 44th minute, midfielders Michael Harrington and Davy Arnaud nearly connected to open the scoring. Harrington cut into the center of the park from his station on the right flank and lofted a pass toward Arnaud behind the defense at the back post. Arnaud slid to hit a first-time shot on goal, but Toronto goalkeeper Stefan Frei was in position to stop the shot, and TFC cleared the rebound out of danger. The Wizards were the aggressors for much of the first half, earning six corner kicks to Toronto’s one.
 
Kansas City opened the second half with a dangerous opportunity, as left back Matt Besler played midfielder Roger Espinoza into space on the left wing. Espinoza carried the ball forward then cut a pass back to the top of the penalty area for striker Josh Wolff. Wolff hit the ball on the first touch, but Frei smothered his shot.
 
Toronto then responded, forcing a save from Hartman in the 50th minute before scoring the game’s only goal in the 54th. After a dangerous cross was headed from danger by Wizards defender Aaron Hohlbein in the 54th minute, Toronto defender Marvell Wynne gained control on the right flank. Wynne cut back toward the center and played the ball to the feet of first-year midfielder Sam Cronin inside the penalty area. Cronin passed the ball on the first touch to forward Danny Dichio at the top of the six-yard area, and Dichio slotted the ball inside the back post for the match-winning goal.
 
After Hartman made another strong save in the 81st minute, Kansas City generated two quality opportunities in the 88th and 90th minutes. First, striker Claudio Lopez threaded the needle on a pass to Herculez Gomez up the right wing. Gomez had a step on the defense and fired a low shot from 18 yards out that Frei did well to save. Then, in the 90th minute, Lopez hit a rocket on the first touch after a long cross from Harrington. Lopez’s shot was headed toward goal, but Frei was there again to tip the effort over the bar and keep his clean sheet.
 
The Wizards finished the month of April 3-1-1, and are now off until Wednesday, May 6. On that night, Eastern Conference rivals D.C. United come to town for a 7:30 p.m. CT kickoff at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. D.C. came back from a late 2-1 deficit Sunday, defeating the New York Red Bulls 3-2 after a pair of goals after the 90th minute. Striker Claudio Lopez had two goals and two assists in April, while goalkeeper Kevin Hartman kept three clean sheets and made 15 saves to go 3-1-1.
 
Toronto FC Line-Up: Stefan Frei; Marvell Wynne, Marco Velez, Adrian Serioux, Jim Brennan ©; Sam Cronin, Carl Robinson, Amado Guevara (Kevin Harmse 79); Chad Barrett (Rohan Ricketts 83), Danny Dichio, Pablo Vitti (Nana Attakora 92+)
Substitutes not used: Greg Sutton (GK), Emmanuel Gomez, Faud Ibrahim, Johann Smith
 
Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Lance Watson (Herculez Gomez 73), Jimmy Conrad ©, Aaron Hohlbein (Abe Thompson 84), Matt Besler; Michael Harrington, Santiago Hirsig, Davy Arnaud, Roger Espinoza (Michael Kraus 78); Josh Wolff, Claudio Lopez
 
Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Rauwshan McKenzie, Kurt Morsink, Kevin Souter 
Misconduct:
TOR – Pablo Vitti (caution; Shirt Removal) 52
KC – Davy Arnaud (caution; Dissent) 76
 
                                                                TFC                        KC
Total Shots:                                        12                           11                          
Shots on Goal:                                  5                              5
Saves:                                                   5                              4
Fouls Committed:                             13                           6
Offside:                                                5                              1Corner Kicks:                                     3                              9             
 
Referee: Paul Ward
Assistants: Thomas Supple, Craig Lowry
4th official: Silviu Petrescu
 
Quotes available soon at www.kcwizards.com.

 

AG

TFC’s John Carver resigns before Wizards match

From Goal.com

http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1110/major-league-soccer/2009/04/25/1229249/john-carver-resigns-as-tfc-coach

I am sure there is a lot more going on here than just personal reasons.  Hopefully this will be a distraction to TFC for this weekend’s game.

OG

Wizards in top spot in MLS East

First a comeback last week in Chicago then a  1-0 home win over NY and the Wizards move into first place in the MLS East with 10 points.  Just a few weeks ago it was wondered whether or not KC would start off the first five games with losses.  Now they look like a totally different team.  Well, they are still somewhat an “ugly” team but they aren’t losing now.  🙂

Down 2-0 in Chicago the Wizards rallied for a 2-2 draw on two goals by Josh Wolff (about the only thing he did the whole game, but hey it was 2 goals!) and some tremendous saves by Kevin Hartman.

On Thursday KC hosted NY.  Gomez was taken down in the box in the second minute, Carlos Johnson saw a deserved straight red, and Lopez converted the Penalty Kick against Jon Conway.  Wizards up 1-0.    At this point I think everyone in the stands were wondering how many goals KC would score.  NY has only scored 3 goals all season and none on the road while giving up (now) 5 goals.  Plus KC was up a man … although when KC was up a man against Seattle the Wizards played like they were down a man.   Well, we didn’t score any more but we didn’t give up any either.  At least this time KC played with some urgency about scoring.   The Wizards had 13 shots and 6 on goal.  Jon Conway made some really good saves.  Hartman had to make a couple of saves but otherwise there was not much offense from NY.  Juan Pablo Angel did nothing until the end of the game  … I was actually worried he’d pull a “Josh Wolff in Chicago” moment but thankfully he did not.

Jack Jewsbury left the game with, I think, a concussion.  Not sure if he’ll start on Sunday or not.  Micheal Harrington came in for him(32nd minute) and was all over the field.  Lance Watson played out of his mind, even out jumping Conrad several times to head away crosses.

Again though KC really has to work on passing.  Too much giving the ball away and lazy passes.  If they can fix that then they’ll win a lot of games this season.

Player of the Game – Chicago.  Kevin Hartman.  Second player was Josh Wolff.  Third was Lance Watson.

Player of the Game – NY.  (This one much harder!).  Jimmy Conrad for his coverage of JPA.  Second player Lance Watson.  Third player Herculez Gomez.

I don’t think that many thought much of the play of Gomez but he was involved in a lot of the attack.   So was Lopez for that matter.  I thought Jimmy redeemed himself from the Chicago game and had a big task covering Juan Pablo Angel.  Harrington deserved honorable mention or something.  He needs to start.

Next for the Wizards are Toronto FC on the road … on Sunday.    Will DeRosario play for TFC?  What about Jewsbury for KC.  I think we’ll see a lineup change for KC this game.  Hirsig can play d-mid and if Jack is healthy to go I’d still just put him on the bench, at least for this game.

TFC won 1-0 on Wednesday with a goal from Guevara.  Hopefully KC can neutralize him on Sunday.   After this last stretch of four games from KC I am optimistic about a victory at BMO Field.

OG

24 April. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Wizards Magically Appear At Top Of Eastern Conference Table

RED BULLS AT KANSAS CITY WIZARDS: POST MATCH

Local Stadiums Express Interest in Hosting World Cup

More Thursday Night Hype: Stammler, Mendes on K.C.

Wizards Hold On For Victory Against Ten-Man New York

Red Bulls Have red-Card problem

Kansas City Wizards Defeat New York Red Bulls 1-0 Thursday on ESPN2 to Move Into 1st Place in East
 
Claudio Lopez Converts Penalty Kick in 3rd Minute, Wizards Defense Posts 3rd Shutout in Last 4 Matches
 
Major League Soccer Game 6
Thursday, April 23, 2009 – 7:00 p.m. (CT)
English TV: ESPN2
Español TV: ESPN Deportes
English Radio: Sports Radio 810 WHB
Español Radio: ESPN Deportes (National)
CommunityAmerica Ballpark – Kansas City, Kansas
Weather: 78 and clear
Attendance: 10,385 – SOLD OUT
 
Score:                                                                                   1              2              F
Kansas City Wizards (3-2-1, 10 pts)                            1              0              1
New York Red Bulls (1-3-2, 5 pts)                                0              0              0
 
                                                                                                   
Scoring Summary:
KC – Claudio Lopez 2 (penalty kick) 3’
 
(April 23, 2009) – The Kansas City Wizards defeated the New York Red Bulls 1-0 Thursday in a nationally televised match on ESPN2. Kansas City striker Claudio Lopez converted a 3rd minute penalty kick in front of a packed house at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, and the Wizards defense allowed New York just two shots on goal for a shutout. The Wizards moved into 1st place in the East with the victory and have posted three shutouts in their last four matches.
 
Kansas City started quickly in front of a raucous crowd that was brought to its feet before the game by a B2 Bomber flyover from Whiteman Air Force Base. In the 2nd minute, striker Josh Wolff pushed Herculez Gomez through on the left side of the penalty area. As Gomez looked to collect the ball on his way toward goal, New York defender Carlos Johnson clipped Gomez, bringing the Kansas City attacker down for a penalty kick. Since Gomez was clear of the last man, Johnson was shown a red card for denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Lopez stepped to the penalty spot and calmly slotted the ball home inside the left post for a 1-0 lead the Wizards would not relinquish.
 
Kansas City nearly scored again in the 24th minute off a corner kick. Lopez took the restart from the right corner flag, curling a pass toward Herculez Gomez at the back post. Gomez dove to head the ball on frame, but New York goalkeeper Jon Conway made a quick reaction save to keep the Red Bulls within a goal.
 
New York star Juan Pablo Angel nearly brought the Red Bulls level in the 52nd minute, hitting a dangerous half volley from the six yards out at the back post. Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made his first save of the night, however, punching Angel’s point-blank effort clear.
 
The Wizards again proved dangerous off a set piece from Claudio Lopez in the 68th minute. Lopez curled a ball to the back post from 25 yards out, with central defender Aaron Hohlbein heading the ball on goal at the back post. Conway again came up big, parrying the shot wide for a Wizards corner kick.
 
Angel nearly helped New York earn a late point, first sending a free kick over the bar from a dangerous position in the 84th minute, and then making Hartman again come up big in second-half stoppage time. After a New York cross was flicked on by Matthew Mbuta, Angel slid to re-direct a shot on goal, but Hartman was there to block the effort and keep his 3rd clean sheet of the season. With the shutout victory, Hartman extended his MLS records in wins (141), shutouts (80) and saves (1150). The Wizards honored Hartman before the match for breaking the MLS career saves record March 28 at Colorado.
 
Kansas City faces a quick turnaround, flying to Toronto Friday for a Sunday match against Toronto FC at BMO Field at 4 p.m. CT on Metro Sports. Coach’s Bar and Grill on 103rd street near Wornall will again host a watch party for Wizards fans. Toronto defeated Kansas City 3-2 in the 2009 season opener, Toronto’s first-ever win in Kansas City. The Reds also face a busy week after handing Chivas USA their first loss of the season Wednesday night at home.
 
Kansas City Wizards Line-Up: Kevin Hartman; Lance Watson, Jimmy Conrad ©, Aaron Hohlbein, Matt Besler (Roger Espinoza 67); Santiago Hirsig, Jack Jewsbury (Michael Harrington 32), Davy Arnaud, Herculez Gomez (Michael Kraus 77); Josh Wolff, Claudio Lopez
 
Substitutes not used: Boris Pardo (GK), Rauwshan McKenzie, Kurt Morsink, Abe Thompson
New York Red Bulls Line-Up: Jon Conway; Carlos Johnson (ejection 3), Kevin Goldthwaite, Carlos Mendes (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 77), Alfredo Pacheco; Matthew Mbuta, Seth Stammler, Jorge Rojas (Luke Sassano 46), Danleigh Borman; Macoumba Kandji (Dane Richards 59), Juan Pablo Angel ©
 
Substitutes not used: Danny Cepero (GK), Andrew Boyens, Khano Smith, John Wolyniec
Misconduct:
NY – Carlos Johnson (ejection; Denied Goal Scoring Opportunity (Foul)) 2
KC – Jimmy Conrad (caution; Reckless Foul) 29
KC – Matt Besler (caution; Persistent Infringement) 64
 
                                                                KC                          NY
Total Shots:                                        13                           11                          
Shots on Goal:                                  6                              2
Saves:                                                   2                              5
Fouls Committed:                             12                           10
Offside:                                                5                              1Corner Kicks:                                     5                              2             
 
Referee: Michael Kennedy
Assistants: Anthony Vasoli, Jeff Muschik
4th official: Abbey Okulaja
 
Notables:
 
·         With the win, Kansas City improves to 3-2-1, 10 pts and occupies 1st place in the Eastern Conference.
·         Kansas City is now 15-14-9 all-time against New York, including a 13-6-2 record at home.·         The Wizards are 2-1-0 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on the season and 11-3-4 all-time at the stadium.·         Kansas City posted its 3rd shutout of the season, moving into a tie for 1st in MLS. ·         The Wizards have not been shutout in the last 18 MLS regular-season matches, dating back to 8/2/08 at D.C. United.·         Kansas City’s record for most consecutive games without being shutout is 20, set between 8/19/06 – 6/20/07.·         Kansas City has posted six shutouts of its own during that stretch.·         Argentine striker Claudio Lopez scored his 2nd goal of the season, converting a 3rd minute penalty kick for the game-winning goal.·         Lopez’s strike was the earliest Kansas City goal in a game this year and the 2nd fastest penalty kick in team history. ·         Preki took a penalty kick that was stopped in the 1st minute 9/12/97.·         Saturday’s penalty was the fastest ever converted by a Wizards player.·         Lopez now has 2 goals and 3 assists on the year and 8 goals and 10 assists in MLS play since joining the Wizards.·         Lopez is tied for 2nd on the team in goals with Josh Wolff and is tied for the MLS lead in assists.·         Lopez has converted 3 penalty kicks in a Wizards uniform.·         New York defender Carlos Johnson brought down Herculez Gomez in the 2nd minute, creating the penalty kick.
·         Johnson was also ejected on the play for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.
·         Johnson’s red card was the fastest in MLS history.
·         The Wizards have now seen two opposing players sent off in the last three games. Herculez Gomez has been the Wizards player involved in both plays.
·         Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman made 2 saves on the night, including a last-second save on Juan Pablo Angel from close range.
·         Hartman now has 1150 career saves and ranks 1st all-time in MLS in this category.
·         The Wizards honored Hartman before the match for breaking the MLS career saves record March 28 at Colorado.
·         Hartman also ranks 1st in shutouts. With tonight’s clean sheet, Hartman becomes the 1st MLS goalkeeper to reach the 80-shutout plateau.
·         Hartman now has 141 career wins, another MLS record.
·         Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury left the match in the 32nd minute with a concussion after a 19th minute collision. He was taken to an area hospital for tests and released shortly thereafter.
·         Jewsbury had not missed a minute previously for Kansas City in 2009.
·         Jimmy Conrad and Kevin Hartman are the only Wizards players to play all 540 minutes on the season.

 
Quotes:
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS HEAD COACH CURT ONALFO
On the game“We wanted to have a good start, and we certainly had a great start. Drawing the PK and then getting the goal right away was great. Credit to New York, I thought they did an excellent job once they went a player down to make it really hard on us. It was one of those games where if we would have just got that second goal then maybe we could put the game away, but we weren’t able to do that. Credit to New York, they really dug it out and fought hard with 10 players.”
 
On the day
“We had some chances we just didn’t have that final finish or final pass. That part of it was disappointing. But for me, this has been an unbelievable day. I had a nasty car accident on the way here with my family (in the car). Fortunately everybody’s healthy and we got our three points tonight. We have ten points, and we’re sitting in first place. We’ll figure out the things that we need to do better and get ourselves ready for a tough game on Sunday.”
 
On defending Juan Pablo Angel
“I thought we did well. He’s one of those players where you never relax, because if he has one chance, he usually finishes it. But for the most part I thought we did a solid job against him.”
 
On the quick turnaround for Sunday’s game at Toronto
“We may have to play some other players depending on where we are with fatigue. There are some fresh bodies on our bench that may see more time. Roger Espinoza came in tonight and had a real impact on the game, and that’s good to see. Michael Harrington again came in and did a good job. Our reserve players have done well.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS STRIKER CLAUDIO LOPEZ
On the early penalty kick“It was a clear PK call. I just tried to see the keeper and try to shoot it the other way.”
 
On having the PK so early in the game
“You always have to concentrate because you always have to be ready for something like that. It’s an opportunity that you can’t miss. It was really good that it happened to us early.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS DEFENDER JIMMY CONRAD
On the quick turnaround for Sunday’s game at Toronto“After Sunday, we don’t have another game for 10 days, so we can push it a little bit knowing that we have a couple of days off afterwards. We do have a deep bench, but I think we’ll continue to have a similar lineup knowing that we’ll have time to rest the next week.”
 
On climbing into first place in the East
“We’re confident, but we’re aware that we need to get better. We’re not playing our best soccer right now, but we’re getting results, and that’s a good thing. We still have a lot of room for improvement.”
 
On the atmosphere inside CommunityAmerica Ballpark
“It was really loud, and the atmosphere was great. It was one of the best atmospheres that we’ve ever had here at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. I’m really excited because we were trying to put on a good show for the rest of the country and we came out and got a win.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS GOALKEEPER KEVIN HARTMAN
On the game“We put them under pressure early and put them in a precarious situation, and I thought the referee gave a justified call. We wish we would have done better and gone ahead and secured a second goal. That being said, we finished it off without giving up a ton a shots and we were pretty secure in the back.”
 
KANSAS CITY WIZARDS MIDFIELDER HERCULEZ GOMEZ
On the atmosphere at CommunityAmerica Ballpark“That’s the way we want it to be every game. The crowd definitely gives us a boost. It’s fun playing in front of a packed stadium and an exciting crowd like that. It feels good to get the fans a win.”
 
NEW YORK RED BULLS HEAD COACH JUAN CARLOS OSORIO
On the Wizards attack”One thing we were aware of was the counterattack; obviously they had their chances when we had three in the back. When were playing four in the back I think we controlled them quite well. We also did very well on set-plays. We defended very well against a team that is very good on set-plays.”
On goalkeeper Jon Conway’s play”I think Conway did well. He made a couple of good saves. A credit to him, he has kept himself in good shape throughout the suspension.”

NEW YORK RED BULLS STRIKER JUAN PABLO ANGEL On the game”The whole course of the game changed with that first play. I think it was one of those tough calls for the referee. I think we showed a little character. The positive thing we can take from here is we didn’t cut back, we went for the game, we tried to get the equalizer, and it didn’t happen. But I think there were a lot of positives.”

NEW YORK RED BULLS GOALKEEPER JON CONWAY On the game”As a goalkeeper it wasn’t something that you expect that early in the match, it was unfortunate to go down a man. We did well. I thought our back line did great in limiting their chances. With ten men they are going to get chances to score, but we did well.”

 

AG

 

23 April. News and Blogs you might have missed.

Good, Bad, and Ugly So Far

10 Worst Football Kits of All time

CAB’s National TV Debut

RED BULLS AT KANSAS CITY: PREVIEW

Kansas City Wizards Practice 04-22-2009

The Bulls are back in Town (KC-NY Pregame)

Wednesday’s Show, April 22nd

A goalfest from Wizards & Red Bulls?

Back to the Future

 McCarthy’s Musings: Weighty Concerns

Soccer Mailbag, Part 1

 

AG