All Kansas City Wizards fans are encouraged to arrive early for Thursday night's match. Gates at CommunityAmerica Ballpark will open at 5:30 p.m. CT. Due to giveaways, pre-game events and altered parking plans for the match, fans are encouraged to arrive as early as possible.
Wizards fans will not have access to the outer West parking lot at Nebraska Furniture Mart due to another event Thursday night. Fans are encouraged to utilize the parking lot outside TJ Maxx or use the outer lots at Cabela's. The Wizards will add a stop on the parking shuttle route for fans that park in the outer lots at Cabela's. The Kansas City Wizards are very appreciative of Nebraska Furniture Mart, Cabela's, The Legends and RED Development for their cooperation and the use of their parking facilities during MLS matches at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.
In addition to the Jimmy Conrad bobblehead giveaway, all fans will receive thundersticks courtesy of Time Warner Cable. A B2 Bomber from Whiteman Air Force Base will also fly over the stadium just before kickoff. Dan Wheldon, Martin Plowman and Pippa Mann from the Indy Racing League will be at the game to mingle with fans, and so will Johnny Sauter and Jennifer Jo Cobb from the NASCAR Truck Series. Wheldon grew up in soccer-loving England with an appreciation for the world's game. He will knock a ball around on the field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark with some Wizards players before Thursday's contest. All drivers will sign autographs on the concourse between 5:30 - 6:45 p.m.
To celebrate ESPN2's first trip to CommunityAmerica Ballpark for a Wizards game, local media celebrities Jenny Matthews of Mix 93.3 and Holly Starr of 38 the Spot will judge an ESPN2 sign-making contest. Fans are encouraged to hold up signs for the ESPN2 cameras. Jenny and Holly will pick the best, and the lucky sign-maker will win a seat upgrade courtesy of the Wizards.
The Wizards and their supporters' group, the Cauldron, will hold the 2009 Passback Drive Thursday night. Collection bins for new and gently used soccer equipment will be placed at each gate and items will be accepted once the gates open. Make sure to bring your donations early, as the first 250 donors will receive a Passback T-shirt, courtesy of All-American Indoor Sports. Fans are encouraged to come out and support the 2009 Passback Drive.
