RSL Tops KC 4-1

Rookie Teal Bunbury played 90 minutes for the 2nd straight game.

The winless streak reached seven tonight, as Salt Lake scored two in each half for a 4-1 win. This will sound like homerism, but it was closer than the scoreline would dictate. The goal was a great display of hustle from Davy Arnaud to steal the ball off of of Nat Borchers and set up Josh Wolff for his 1st strike of the year and his 74th career in MLS play. For the quotes, click here. For the notables, read the press release here.

Stadium Model Pics

Earlier we showed you pictures of our new office, now it's time for some pictures of our new stadium--sorta. Here are pictures, taken by VP of Development David Ficklin, of the model being constructed to scale of our new stadium. Take a look and enjoy:

New Office Proof

We told you yesterday that we were moving into the Crossroads District. Now we have the pictures to prove it. Here is a note on our website that also includes all other addresses for the organization.

It's called the Studio Building, and can be found just north of Southwest Boulevard on 19th Terrace (between Central and Wyandotte)

Here's the building from the opposite side.

Our entrance is actually around back of the building.

Ring the bell if you're coming to visit.

Here's the reception area.

And a view at the stairs.

Here's a look inside the main area where most of the staff is sitting.

And a look out at the Liberty Memorial.

The Western Auto sign.

In case you didn't believe us before, that's the address.

Messi stopped by today to sell some sponsorships.

More Mikey Beat-Boxing

This is from a little while ago, but we just got hold of a video that Kei Kamara shot during the trip to play AC St. Louis. You already know that Mikey can beat-box like crazy, but here's another glimpse. This time, Teal Bunbury adds in some rapping.

Making the Move

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If you've been having trouble reaching your favorite Wizards associate today, it's because the majority of the day has been spent boxing up and moving office essentials from our current locale to a building in the Crossroads. Our new address, effective tomorrow morning, will be 210 West 19th Terrace, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO 64108. 

Our email servers are still in the process of being configured at the new office, so we haven't yet received any emails sent after 1:30 p.m. CT. They will all arrive whenever the new system is up and running, so we'll get your communications, but not right away. Our phone numbers (888-4KC-GOAL, 913-387-3400 and all direct lines) will remain the same in our new location.

If you live or work in or near Crossroads, howdy neighbor!

Denis Irwin Visits Kansas City

Today, Manchester United legend Denis Irwin, a first-choice left back for both Man Utd and Ireland throughout the 1990's, visited Kansas City. He first went in-studio at Fox 4 and then Sports Radio 810, then visited our Swope Park Training Center to meet the team and run a coaches clinic on Field 3. Take a look at some photos from his day:

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin stopped in for Sports Radio 810's Border Patrol with Nate Bukaty and Steven St. John.

Irwin meets Kansas City Wizards Manager Peter Vermes.

Irwin speaks with the team before today's training session.

Manchester United legend Denis Irwin meets former Everton star and current KCW Juniors academy coach Paul Rideout.

Irwin and Rideout speak with area youth soccer coaches during a coaching clinic.

Beasley Signing Official

The KC Star had the story last night, along with the sweet picture that we borrowed above of PV marking Beasley back when he played for Chicago. Here's our press release on the signing. 

Beasley will wear #24 and add depth to our wide midfield. He's a left-sided player and a solid finisher, who scored the first goal in yesterday's 2-0 win over the Brass in a scrimmage. As PV told the Star, he's not yet match fit, so don't expect to see him in an MLS game soon.

Donovan SportsCenter Commercial

The ESPN copy machine gives Donovan a yellow. He complains, so it gives him a red. Really funny stuff:

USA, USA, USA!

Tonight, the U.S. Men's National Team begins its two-game send off series with a tough test against the Czech Republic in Hartford, Connecticut. The game begins at 7 p.m. CT on ESPN (the mothership, not ESPN 2) and Galavision, with a 30-minute pre-game show on ESPN. The KC chapter of American Outlaws is hosting a watch party at Johnny's Tavern in the Power and Light District if you want to watch with other big US Soccer fans.

US Soccer also announced today that Head Coach Bob Bradley will name his final 23-man World Cup roster tomorrow sometime after 12 p.m. CT on the daytime SportsCenter show. Be sure to take your lunch break at that time and find a TV with sound to hear what Bradley says about the roster. It's  going to be a big day!

Stadium Updates

Yesterday's broadcast featured another video update of stadium progress from our TV Reporter Kristin Bock. Check out that piece, then click here to read last week's progress report from Turner Construction.

Wizards lose at home to Crew

Columbus continued their recent mastery of the Wizards, winning 1-0 today at CommunityAmerica Ballpark though we outshot them 18-7. Emilio Renteria scored the game's lone goal in the 64th minute off a corner kick from Argentine maestro Guillermo Barros Schelotto. Rookie striker Teal Bunbury made his first MLS start tonight, and defender Jonathan Leathers made his first start of the season.

To read the quotes, click here. For notables, click here and scroll to the bottom. Highlights are above, if you want to watch them.

810 WHB Talent Battles

Last year, you saw Nate Bukaty score on coworker (and KC Soccer Show host) Jake Gutierrez in the media game at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Yesterday, these two faced off again with some coaching from Jimmy Nielsen and Ryan Smith. Check out yesterday's session, followed by their 2009 media game battle.

Best Commercial Ever?

It's being thrown around a lot, but it just might be true. Gooch (and probably the rest of your soccer-loving friends) already told you about this commercial yesterday, but in case you haven't seen it, watch below. If you've already seen it, it's ok; watch it again.

Jack and Davy Challenge #1

Check out the first installment of our new video series, the Jack and Davy Challenge:

More Voting

It's Jimmy Nielsen's turn again, as the White Puma is up for NAPA Save of the Week for a first-half stop against Fire attacker Patrick Nyarko. View the save above and vote for him or your favorite save from last week here.

As we told you yesterday, MLS All-Star voting is also open. Let's get some Wizards in the First XI!

Sir Alex Ferguson talks KC, USA

Manchester United Manager Sir Alex Ferguson held a press conference today in New York City to discuss United's upcoming North American tour, which includes a stop in Kansas City to play your Wizards July 25th at 5 p.m. CT. If you haven't yet picked up your tickets, you can do so here through Ticketmaster. 

Also, RSVP to the event on Facebook and let all your friends know that you're joining us!

Inside the USA Equipment Room

MLS Insider is turning into USMNT insider at the moment, coming at us with daily updates from training camp in Princeton, NJ. Check out this interesting feature about the equipment managers and everything they do to keep the team and traveling delegation in order:

The Princeton Report: The "Other" Managers from mlsinsider on Vimeo.

Lots of Voting

MLS All-Star voting kicked off today, so help your favorite Wizards players make the MLS First XI to face Manchester United for the 2nd time in 2010. How cool would that be?

Additionally, fans can text an MLS club name to “22442” to vote for all nominees from that team. Fan voting will comprise one quarter of the total vote for the First XI selections, with MLS players, coaches & GM’s, and media each accounting for one of the other three quarters. 

Also, striker Kei Kamara (who with 5 goals is 3rd in MLS this season) is up for NAPA Goal of the Week. Vote for him for that honor as well.

KCW Juniors Recap

Saturday before the first team game, our KCW Juniors U-16s took on the Chicago Fire Juniors U-16s, winning 1-0 on a late goal from Jordan Rideout, son of former Wizards (and Everton) player Paul Rideout. Check out the match recap from our video stud Jake:

Wizards 2-2 Fire

Tonight, it looked like we might be on the way to our first loss of the season, but the boys fought back. Kei Kamara scored two second-half goals, including an eerily similar tap-in to the one he missed so famously April 24 vs. the LA Galaxy. Props to Teal Bunbury, who helped set up a late goal once again and Ryan Smith, who was all over the place and played the ball to Kamara before the 1st strike. Read the quotes. See the notables in the press release. Watch the highlights:

Soccer Day 5K Video

Check out Jimmy Conrad of the Wizards, Jennifer Smith of Autism Speaks and 5K participants talk about this morning's race out at Village West. 

Holy Cow, Tomorrow's a Busy Day

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day out in KCK, starting with the 5K at 8 a.m. From there, it doesn't slow down. Check out the schedule for tomorrow:

• 8 a.m. Soccer Day 5K benefiting Autism Speaks!
• 11 a.m. Cristo Rey vs. Bishop Ward Girls High School Soccer
• 1-3:30 p.m. Play like the Pros
• 4 p.m. KCW Juniors vs. Chicago Fire Juniors
• 7 p.m. Fox Soccer Channel pre-game starts. Fans, come out and stand behind the FSC pre-game set near the playground area!
• 7:30 p.m. CT Wizards vs. Chicago Fire
• 10 p.m. KC Athletics vs AAC Eagles USASA Open Cup qualifying game.

Wow...that's a ton of stuff! Your Wizards ticket will get you into the stadium to see any of these events, so come out early or stay late to see a whole day worth of fun soccer action!

Go See Pelada!

 An image from Pelada while the crew was in Uruguay.

Pelada, a movie that chronicles two former college soccer players (Luke and Gwendolyn) as they travel the world in search of pickups games, comes to Kansas City Monday. They will be screening the film Monday at 7 p.m. CT at Studio Movie Grill, and there will be a Q&A after with Ryan White, the director. Tickets cost just $10, and you can pick them up in advance here.

 An image from Nairobi, Kenya.

The Commissioner Speaks

Check out this video, featuring Greg Lalas and MLS Commissioner Don Garber, who answers questions from the fans. Very good watch:

Go USA Bid Tweet Bomb

Tomorrow, the USA Bid Committee will present our bid book to FIFA, and to help spread the word and support the bid, the soccer-loving nation will be exploding a "Tweet Bomb" at 1 p.m. CT to let the entire USA know that we're bidding for the chance to host the World Cup and that we're pumped about it! We'd like to ask all Kansas City sports fans to take part! It's very simple. If you're on Twitter, post the following message as close to 1 p.m. CT as possible. We want to become a trending topic! Here's the message:

.@goUSAbid gives FIFA their bid to host World Cup. Sign petition to support the USA! http://www.gousabid.com/kc #goUSAbid PLS RT

Note: The "." in front of the Twitter handle goUSAbid is intentional and not a typo. Make sure to include the "." so that all of your followers, not just those who also follow the USA Bid Committee, see the Tweet!

GO USA BID Pre-Sale

That's right, anyone who has signed the petition to bring the FIFA World Cup to Kansas City in 2018 or 2022 and lives within 500 miles of KC will have the opportunity to buy Manchester United friendly tickets starting today at noon. 

You still have time to get in on the pre-sale if you haven't already signed the petition! Just visit www.goUSAbid.com/kc and register your support by 12 p.m. CT today, and you'll be able to take part in the pre-sale through an email delivered to you by the bid committee. Sign up!

Espinoza Talks about Honduras Call

23-year-old Roger Espinoza talks about achieving the life-long goal of making his birth country's World Cup roster:

Sign up for Camps, Receive Autographed Mini Ball

Ladies and gentlemen with boys or girls ages 7-12, want your child to learn soccer from the Wizards? Now is your chance! The next 15 people who sign up for the June 7-11 camp at our Swope Park Training Center will receive a special World Cup mini ball (pictured above) signed by the current three members of the organization who have played in the World Cup previously, Peter Vermes, Jimmy Conrad and Josh Wolff. Sign up here.

USMNT Prelim Roster Announced

Two former Wizards make the preliminary USA World Cup roster, as Eddie Johnson and Herculez Gomez were named to the 30-man list. All 30 players will report to Princeton, NJ May 15 for final training camp, with friendlies against the Czech Republic May 25 and Turkey May 19. The final 23 is not due until early July:

Goalkeepers- Tim Howard, Marcus Hahnemann, Brad Guzan

Defenders- Carlos Bocanegra, Oguchi Onyewu, Steve Cherundolo, Jonathan Spector, Jay DeMerit, Clarence Goodson, Jonathan Bornstein, Heath Pearce, Chad Marshall

Midfielders- Landon Donovan, Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, Stuart Holden, Ricardo Clark, Maurice Edu, Benny Feilhaber, Jose Francisco Torres, Alejandro Bedoya, DaMarcus Beasley, Sacha Kljestan, Robbie Rogers

Forwards- Jozy Altidore, Robbie Findley, Brian Ching, Edson Buddle, Eddie Johnson, Herculez Gomez

World Cup Bid

It's been a while since we mentioned the bid to bring the FIFA World Cup to the USA and Kansas City. With the announcement of the friendly against Manchester United, that effort is back in the forefront, as a great showing at the match would solidify Kansas City's reputation as a great soccer city. 

Along those lines, check out this collage of images put together by the USA Bid Committee featuring pictures of soccer throughout the USA. Visit that site and upload your own soccer pictures to show what soccer looks like in Kansas City as well!

Sign the petition to bring the World Cup to Kansas City! www.goUSAbid.com/kc

Big News Friday

Well, we had some big news yesterday, what with Manchester United coming to town on July 25 and all. If you're coming to the game, make sure to RSVP on Facebook and invite all your friends. We want to sell out Arrowhead Stadium so there's no doubt that the World Cup should be hosted here if the USA wins the right to stage the event in 2018 or 2022.

MLS also announced some major news today as Montreal was confirmed officially as the 19th team, set to join the League in 2012. Expansion keeps on going, and more soccer-centric stadia come on line. After ours next summer, only a handful of teams will be without their own venue.

Check out this video of the expansion plans for Stade Saputo:

Robb Heineman talks Man U Visit

Take a look at this message from President Robb Heineman. To support Kansas City's bid to bring the FIFA World Cup here should the USA win the event in 2018 or 2022, sign the petition at www.goUSAbid.com/kc.

Manchester United is Coming!!

That's right folks, world famous English Premier League club Manchester United is coming to Kansas City to play your Wizards Sunday, July 25 at 5 p.m. CT. The match is included in season ticket packages for Wizards season ticket holders. For more information and to reserve your tickets online, if you're a season ticket holder, visit www.KCWizards.com/ManU. Season ticket holders can also call us at 913.387.3400 or 888-4KC-GOAL to reserve your tickets and take part in a special pre-sale for additional tickets that runs through next Friday. 

Tickets go on sale to the general public Saturday, May 15 at 10 a.m. CT.

KC falls at DC

That's the third straight road loss, this one 1-2 at D.C. United. Kamara scored his 3rd goal of the season late, with Teal Bunbury picking up his first career MLS assist on the play. Josh Wolff played a great ball to Kamara at the back post for a sliding finish. Check out the quote sheet and the press release for the notables. 

We're now off until May 15, a home game against the Chicago Fire. See you there at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Wizards at Texas Children's Cancer Center

As you saw during Saturday's broadcast on Fox Soccer Channel, four members of the Wizards took time during the trip to Houston last weekend to visit Texas Children's Cancer Center. Take a look at some pictures withTeal Bunbury, Aaron Hohlbein, Craig Rocastle and Chance Myers: