MLS First Kick Announced Tuesday
Though the full Major League Soccer regular season schedule for the 2009 season will not be available until early next year, MLS will announce the slate for MLS First Kick tomorrow, Tuesday Dec. 2. After the announcement, the home opener for every team in MLS will be public. Check www.kcwizards.com tomorrow for information on the team's early-season schedule.
'Wizards Wonderland' Select-a-Seat Event Comes Dec. 13
Wizards fans are invited to join the club Saturday, Dec. 13 for a special holiday event as the team's newest customers pick out their seats for the 2009 soccer season. Join Santa Claus, Dynamo the Dragon, Starting 11 Girls and other Wizards staff members as the team reopens CommunityAmerica Ballpark for four (4) hours on Saturday, Dec. 13 from 1 - 5 p.m. CT. The Wizards will unveil some new and exciting ticket packages for the 2009 season, including All-You-Can-Eat Seats, Full-Service Terrace Tables (with all-inclusive beverage service throughout the match) and Field Side Reserved Seats.
Fans will have the opportunity to win a variety of prizes including gift cards to popular Legends retailers, Wizards merchandise and more. Kids can have their pictures taken with Santa Claus and Dynamo, while parents pick out their seats for the 2009 season. Complimentary hot chocolate, coffee and cookies will also be available for the team's guests.
The Wizards will offer a special ticket package for the holidays that includes a Wizards digital desk clock, a Jimmy Conrad autographed picture and a $50 deposit towards a Wizards 2009 ticket package - all for only $59. The Wizards will also hold a merchandise blowout sale for the holidays on Dec. 13. Game-used jerseys and shoes, along with a variety of other Wizards inventory, both new and old, must go. A portion of the proceeds from all game-used merchandise sales will directly benefit the Kansas City Soccer Foundation, the charitable arm of the Wizards.
The first 200 guests through the door will also receive a complimentary 2008 Wizards Highlight DVD. Season Ticket Holders who bring a guest who purchases a Wizards ticket package will be entered into a Grand Prize Drawing for a Wizards Road Trip. For more information, contact the Wizards ticket office at (913) 387-3400.
Midfielder Roger Espinoza Chosen for Generation adidas trip to London, England
Kansas City Wizards midfielder Roger Espinoza, the club's 2008 team Rookie of the Year, has been selected one of the 16 young Major League Soccer stars to take part in a nine-day trip to London, England. Espinoza, 22, played 22 games for the Wizards in 2008, scoring one goal and adding three assists. He will join 15 other stars from the Generation adidas program in a trip to London that will include matches against reserve teams of three top English Premier League clubs, tours of the famous city and the chance to watch two EPL league matches and a UEFA Champions' League contest.
"I'm really excited for this opportunity," Espinoza said. "We get to practice with Chelsea and see some of the best players in the world in action. It will be a great trip, and I look forward to representing the Wizards well while I am in England."
Generation adidas Roster for England Trip (16th player still to be determined)
Roger Espinoza (Kansas City Wizards)
Ciaran O'Brien (Colorado Rapids)
Bakary Soumare (Chicago Fire)
Josh Lambo (FC Dallas)
Bruno Guarda (FC Dallas)
Eric Avila (FC Dallas)
Anthony Wallace (FC Dallas)
Rob Valentino (NE Revolution)
Amaechi Igwe (NE Revolution)
Anthony Beltran (Real Salt Lake)
Alex Nimo (Real Salt Lake)
Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)
Yura Movsisyan (Real Salt Lake)
Abdus Ibrahim (Toronto FC)
Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)
Itinerary
Friday, Dec. 5 Departure date to London
Saturday, Dec. 6 Attend West Ham United vs. Tottenham or Arsenal vs. Wigan match
Sunday, Dec. 7 Training at Chelsea Academy (two sessions on Sunday)
Monday, Dec. 8 Match 1- Generation adidas VS EPL or West Ham Reserve Team.
Tuesday, Dec. 9 Training Session at Chelsea Academy; Stamford Bridge Stadium and Museum Tour and visit to the Chelsea Mega Store
Wednesday, Dec. 10 Match 2- Generation adidas VS Chelsea Reserve Team; Attendance UEFA Champions League Match - CHELSEA vs -CFR CLUJ NAPOCA
Thursday, Dec. 11 Match 3- Generation adidas VS Aston Villa Reserve Team (TBC).
Friday, Dec. 12 Watch Chelsea 1st Team Training Session at Chelsea Academy; London Eye private tour; Bus tour of London
Saturday, Dec. 13 Late morning in London - sightseeing Oxford Street, Harrod's department store; Attendance EPL Match - CHELSEA vs WEST HAM (Note - Match could be moved to Sunday)
Sunday, Dec. 14 Return flights to the US
Visit www.thetrailskc.com for Latest on The Trails Development
For the latest on The Trails Development, LANE4 Property Group's $1 billion project in Southeast Kansas City that will include a soccer-specific stadium for the Kansas City Wizards, visit www.thetrailskc.com. This website includes all the relevant facts and figures on the project, including initial renderings and a preliminary site plan.
Kansas City Wizards Lower Season Ticket Prices for 2009 Season
The Kansas City Wizards have lowered prices for season ticket holders from their 2008 rates and will continue to offer free parking at all events. Kansas City also introduced two exciting new seating options: All-You-Can-Eat Seats and Full-Service Terrace Table Seats. Wizards fans who put down a new season ticket deposit for the 2009 season will receive a free season ticket holder scarf. To purchase season tickets for 2009, call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400.
In addition to their existing seating categories, the Wizards are adding All-You-Can-Eat Seats and Full-Service Terrace Tables for fans who enjoy premium entertainment options. All-You-Can-Eat Seats will be located in section 106 behind the West goal and allow patrons unlimited food and drink during the game. Full-Service Terrace Tables are high-tops around the stadium and will include unlimited drinks during each match.
The Wizards also offer a free bus to groups of 50 from within the Kansas City metro area. Contact a Wizards sales rep at (913) 387-3400 for more information about bringing your group outing to a Kansas City Wizards match via bus. Alcohol, excluding kegs, is allowed on buses to the stadium.
For more information about 2009 season tickets, Click Here.
Kansas City Qualifies for SuperLiga for 1st Time
The Kansas City Wizards have qualified as one of four teams that will represent Major League Soccer in SuperLiga 2009 under new regulations for qualification, revealed by MLS Commissioner Don Garber in his annual State of the League address last Friday in Los Angeles ahead of MLS Cup 2008. SuperLiga™, a premier tournament that pits the best of the United States against the best of Mexico, will return with its third edition.
In 2008, the tournament included a group phase and a knockout phase with all games held in U.S. venues. Eight clubs - four each from the top-flight leagues of the United States and Mexico - played to determine a singular champion of North America. The New England Revolution (MLS) defeated the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and took home $1 million in prize money, the largest purse in North American soccer history.
For more information, please click on: www.superliga2008.com
Qualification for SuperLiga 2009 will be as follows:
The top four teams, based on regular season record, who are not competing in CONCACAF Champions League in 2009, will qualify for SuperLiga 2009. Given these criteria, Chicago Fire, New England Revolution, Kansas City Wizards, and Chivas USA have qualified for SuperLiga 2009 based on their records in 2008.
