* Wizards Take on League-Leading Los Angeles on Saturday
* Three Wizards Chosen to Represent National Teams
* 2011 Designated Player Omar Bravo Scores Twice for Chivas
* Striker Sunil Chhetri Scores Two More for India National Team
* Wizards Host 3rd Annual FootWedge Cup
* Kansas City Up for Pepsi Refresh Grant to Build Local Soccer Fields
* Teal Bunbury to Participate in American Cancer Society Bachelor Auction on Thursday
* Nominations Open for Home Depot Community MVP Contest
* Mayor’s Night Kicks Champions Crowned
* Matt Besler a Distinguished Guest at Overland Park 50th Anniversary Ceremony
* Wizards Hold Clinic for Children with Autism to Support Walk Now for Autism
* Jack Jewsbury Helps Out at Youth Soccer Clinic in Springfield
* Fans Encouraged to Support U.S. Effort to Land World Cup in 2018 or 2022
WIZARDS TAKE ON LEAGUE-LEADING LOS ANGELES ON SATURDAY:
Following a resounding 4-1 victory over New England at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on Saturday, the Kansas City Wizards travel to Los Angeles this weekend for the first of two straight road matches. Kansas City begins the final third of their schedule with a tough test against the league-leading Galaxy at 9:30 p.m. CT on Saturday at the Home Depot Center.
With the win on Saturday, Kansas City moved ahead of the Revolution in the Eastern Conference standings to fifth place, and now sit five points out of the final playoff spot with 10 games still to play. The Galaxy boast the league’s best record at 13-4-4 and sit atop the Western Conference table, but have slipped as of late, losing two of their last three MLS matches and four of their last six overall in the past month.
Conversely, the Wizards are amidst their best stretch of the season, going 3-1-2 in their last six MLS matches and 4-1-2 overall when including the July 25 victory over Manchester United. The only loss in the run came on the road to a San Jose side that also beat Los Angeles 1-0 last weekend.
The last three matches between the Galaxy and Wizards have ended in draws, including the previous meeting this season, which ended scoreless at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on April 24. The Galaxy’s offense is led by U.S. World Cup players Landon Donovan and Edson Buddle, who lead the league in goals and assists, respectively. On the other end of the field, goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts and the Los Angeles defense have allowed the fewest goals of any team in MLS this year.
Saturday’s contest will be broadcast live and in high definition in both English and Spanish on KCWE Channel 29, and will also be available over the airwaves on La Gran D 1340 AM.
THREE WIZARDS CHOSEN TO REPRESENT NATIONAL TEAMS:
Kansas City Wizards players Kei Kamara, Shavar Thomas, and Roger Espinoza all received invitations this week to represent their countries in upcoming international matches.
Kamara will join his native Sierra Leone next week ahead of the country’s September 5 African Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt in Cairo. Kamara has made five appearances for the Sierra Leone National Team, most recently in 2010 World Cup qualifying, and lived in the West African nation until he was a teenager before coming to the United States.
Thomas was selected to the Jamaica National Team for the second time this month, after playing 89 minutes in the Reggae Boyz’ 3-1 win over Trinidad & Tobago on August 11. Jamaica hosts Costa Rica Sunday, September 5 in Kingston, before traveling to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to play Peru on Tuesday, September 7. Thomas has 28 career appearances for Jamaica.
Espinoza will also be on international duty with the Honduras National Team for their match against Canada on Tuesday, September 7 in Montreal. Espinoza has 14 appearances for Honduras, including two starts at the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
Thomas and Espinoza will both be available for Kansas City’s match Saturday, September 4 at the Philadelphia Union.
2011 DESIGNATED PLAYER OMAR BRAVO SCORES TWICE FOR CHIVAS:
Omar Bravo scored his first goal of the 2010 Apertura for Chivas Guadalajara on Saturday, striking just 16 seconds into a match with Atlante in Cancun, Mexico. The goal capped a productive week for Bravo, after also scoring in stoppage time of the final leg of the 2010 Copa Libertadores championship against Brazilian club Internacional on Wednesday, August 18.
The Wizards announced earlier this month that they have signed Bravo as a Designated Player for the 2011 season. The 30-year-old striker and Mexico international will remain with Chivas Guadalajara for the remainder of the 2010 Apertura, Mexico’s 17-game fall season, by the terms of a loan agreement reached between the two teams and Major League Soccer.
Kansas City and Chivas have also agreed to play home-and-home friendlies at their new stadiums in 2011 as part of the agreement. The Wizards will play at Chivas’ new Estadio Omnilife during Kansas City’s preseason, and Chivas Guadalajara will play in Kansas City’s new soccer stadium after the venue opens next summer.
Saturday’s goal gives Bravo 107 in league competition for Chivas Guadalajara and moves him one strike closer to catching Salvador Reyes for first place on the club’s all-time goal scoring chart. The goal was the fastest in the Primera Division this season, but not the fastest of Bravo’s career. He scored 14 seconds into a match with Atlas in November last year.
Bravo is one of the most decorated and beloved players in Chivas history as the club’s second all-time leading goal scorer, and has been a mainstay on the Mexico National Team with 16 goals, including two at the 2006 World Cup, in 65 appearances.
STRIKER SUNIL CHHETRI SCORES TWO MORE FOR INDIA NATIONAL TEAM:
Kansas City Wizards striker Sunil Chhetri, on loan to the India National Team, scored twice in India’s 3-2 friendly victory over Sertanense on Tuesday in Almeirim, Portugal. Chhetri got the game’s first goal in the 14th minute and added another on a header in the 22nd minute. It marked the second match in a week’s time that Chhetri has bagged a brace for his country, also scoring twice in a friendly over Uniao Serra on Wednesday, August 18 in Fatima, Portugal.
Chhetri was one of 30 players selected by India head coach Bob Houghton for the team’s ongoing preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup next January. Chhetri was a pivotal player in his country’s qualification, scoring a hat trick in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final to secure India’s spot in the Asian Cup for the first time in 24 years.
Kansas City signed Chhetri from Dempo SC in March, making him the first Indian to join an MLS team and creating considerable media attention around his move abroad. His most recent appearance for the Wizards came in the 2-1 upset of Manchester United on July 25, coming on in the 69th minute and recording two shots on goal in his 21 minutes of action.
WIZARDS HOST 3RD ANNUAL FOOTWEDGE CUP:
For the third year in a row, the Kansas City Wizards hosted the FootWedge Cup at Loch Lloyd Country Club on Tuesday. The annual event raises money for the Kansas City Soccer Foundation, a non-profit organization that provides for youth in the local community.
Kansas City Wizards players and staff joined golfers from the Kansas City area for a tournament that featured contests at various holes, all of which were sponsored by local businesses. The play also featured unique, soccer-themed twists that allowed participants to benefit based on their soccer skills.
The Kansas City Soccer Foundation was established by OnGoal, LLC and the Kansas City Wizards to provide educational and scholarship opportunities for children in the Kansas City area. The Foundation continues to conduct a series of fundraising events and pursue grant and individual donor solicitations, in an effort to support various programs and organizations that also serve to improve the lives of youth in the community.
KANSAS CITY UP FOR PEPSI REFRESH GRANT TO BUILD LOCAL SOCCER FIELDS:
Kansas City defender Jimmy Conrad is representing the Wizards bid to build and improve youth soccer fields at Belvedere Park, as part of the recently launched Pepsi Refresh Project. Beginning last Friday, every Major League Soccer team outlined an idea that will vie for fan votes and an ultimate $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant to fulfill the project. Fans can cast their votes at www.MLSsoccer.com/PepsiRefresh thru Monday, September 20 at 10:59 p.m. CDT. Fans can vote for Kansas City's project here.
Conrad and the Wizards’ goal is to develop soccer fields at Belvedere Park in urban Kansas City, MO, which will provide a facility to keep kids engaged, build self-confidence and avoid negative influences. Over 600 youth currently play soccer on these fields from diverse backgrounds, including over 45 ethnicities.
“The Pepsi Refresh Project allows for fans to make a positive impact on local communities,” said Kansas City Wizards defender Jimmy Conrad. “The Wizards want to make a difference here in Kansas City, and we hope our fans will go vote and help us win the $50,000 grant.”
As of Wednesday, Kansas City’s proposed project was in third place in the contest, which had already drawn more than 13,000 fan votes since its launch.
TEAL BUNBURY TO PARTICIPATE IN AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY BACHELOR AUCTION ON THURSDAY:
Kansas City Wizards rookie Teal Bunbury will be among the bachelors being auctioned off at the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Bachelor Auction on Thursday, August 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. at The Cashew. All proceeds from the 2nd annual event, being emceed by Mix 93.3 host Teresa, will go towards the cancer advocacy organization.
Bunbury’s date package is valued at $635 and includes two all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink field side reserved tickets to an upcoming Wizards home game, a $125 gift certificate for dinner and drinks at Blanc Burger, a personalized Kansas City Wizards uniform, and two Kansas City Wizards scarves. The lucky winner will also receive a gift certificate to Zafar Salon, Spa & Boutique, samples from The DERMAdoctor, and sterling silver heart earrings from Silpada Designs.
Individuals interested in attending the event can find more information on the American Cancer Society website here. VIP passes are $30 in advance and general admission tickets are $20. The Cashew is located at 2000 20th Street in Kansas City, Missouri.
NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR HOME DEPOT COMMUNITY MVP CONTEST:
Kansas City Wizards fans have the opportunity to nominate individuals in the local community who go above and beyond to make a difference in the lives of others as part of the Home Depot Community MVP Contest going on now through Friday, September 17. The league-wide contest launched in July and will culminate with one winner being selected to represent each market. The winner will receive VIP tickets and team merchandise, as well as recognition at a Kansas City Wizards home game in October and national recognition during halftime of MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto. The individual will also be eligible for the national prize package, an all-inclusive trip for two to MLS Cup 2010 in Toronto.
Individuals will be selected based on their efforts in one of the following areas:
• Community Service for a local, national or international charity or community organization
• Positive impact on youth
• Environmental sustainability
• Health, wellness and education
• Military or Civic Service
Fans can submit their nominations online here. MLS W.O.R.K.S. was launched in 2007 as Major League Soccer’s community outreach initiative dedicated to addressing important social issues and serves as a platform for both League and club philanthropic programs.
MAYOR’S NIGHT KICKS CHAMPIONS CROWNED:
The third annual Mayor’s Night Kicks soccer tournament crowned its champion on Saturday, August 21 at CommunityAmerica Ballpark following the Wizards game against the New England Revolution. The KC Athletics defeated El Padrino 3-2 in the finals for their first Mayor’s Night Kicks Tournament championship.
Established in 2008 by Mayor Mark Funkhouser, the Kansas City Wizards and the KCMO Parks and Recreation have sponsored the Mayor’s Night Kicks soccer tournament for adult males between the ages of 18 and 25 each summer since. The six-week tournament has become a tremendous success both on the field for participants and off the field as a community building tool for Kansas City’s diverse population. See a video about the tournament here.
MATT BESLER A DISTINGUISHED GUEST AT OVERLAND PARK 50TH ANNIVERSARY CEREMONY:
Kansas City Wizards defender Matt Besler participated in the Overland Park 50th Anniversary ceremony at the Overland Park Convention Center on Sunday, August 22. Besler, an Overland Park native and Blue Valley West High School graduate, interacted with families in attendance and signed autographs during his appearance. Kansas City Wizards representatives were also in attendance at the special event to answer questions about the club and provide information on the team’s new stadium opening in Kansas City, Kansas next summer.
Besler grew up in Overland Park, where his family still resides, and has played in 36 games for the Wizards since being drafted in the first round of the 2009 MLS SuperDraft by Kansas City.
WIZARDS HOLD CLINIC FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM TO SUPPORT WALK NOW FOR AUTISM:
For the third year in a row, Kansas City Wizards players held a soccer clinic for children affected with autism on Sunday, August 22 at the team’s Swope Park Training Facility. Jimmy Conrad, Graham Zusi, Chance Myers, Jack Jewsbury, Jonathan Leathers and Korede Aiyegbusi all spent their Sunday afternoon teaching the children fundamentals of soccer and playing in organized mini-games. The players also signed autographs following the clinic.
The event was held in conjunction with the Kick-Off for fundraising for Walk Now for Autism, an organization that the Wizards have supported through a variety of endeavors in recent years. The Wizards hosted a Soccer Day 5k in May, with proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks, as well as a “Welcome to the Neighborhood Party” at Los Cabos at the Legends in April, with a portion of patrons final bill being matched by the restaurant to go towards Autism Speaks.
JACK JEWSBURY HELPS OUT AT YOUTH SOCCER CLINIC IN SPRINGFIELD:
Kansas City Wizards midfielder Jack Jewsbury returned to his hometown of Springfield on Monday, August 23 to take part in a “Kicking With The Stars” soccer clinic for boys and girls ages 6-12 at the Lake City Soccer Fields. More than 100 participants signed up for the clinic, put on by Mediacom and Fox Soccer Channel, to receive advice and coaching from Jewsbury, as well as members of the Kansas City coaching staff. Jewsbury also signed autographs at the conclusion of the clinic.
"It's not very often that I get to come back and help out in the community here that I grew up playing in,” Jewsbury said. “It's obviously exciting to come back when there's a buzz about soccer right now. At the end of the day it's just about teaching them basics, whether it's passing, dribbling or shooting. And then we just want them to have a good time and have fun. That's what it's all about especially at these young ages: for them to enjoy what they're doing every time they come out to the field."
Jewsbury has played in 194 games for the Wizards since being drafted by Kansas City in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft. Jewsbury scored the 15th goal of his career on Sunday in the Wizards 4-1 win over New England at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
FANS ENCOURAGED TO SUPPORT U.S. EFFORT TO LAND WORLD CUP IN 2018 OR 2022:
Kansas City soccer fans are strongly encouraged to support the bid to bring the FIFA World Cup™ to the United States in 2018 or 2022. To date, nearly 978,000 people have showed their support, including over 27,500 from Kansas City.
In addition to signing the petition at www.goUSAbid.com/kc, supporters can register their interest by texting “Kansas City” to “22442”. Kansas City is one of 18 cities still in the running to host games should the USA bid be successful. FIFA will select the host nation for both 2018 and 2022 on December 2, 2010.
The highly successful Summer of Soccer saw over 30,000 soccer fans gather for World Cup watch parties in the Kansas City Power & Light District and a new attendance record set for a soccer match in Kansas City when 52,424 turned out to see the Wizards upset English powerhouse Manchester United 2-1 at the New Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, July 25.
Kansas City Wizards Weekly Update Aug 25
