FIFA Soccer 11 Ratings

Kei Kamara vs Jimmy Nielsen in a FIFA 11 shootout. (Pic from Kei Kamara's Twitpic)

What's are the first questions on everyone's mind when FIFA comes out each year? What is my favorite team ranked? What is my favorite player ranked? 

We dug into the ranking for the Wizards. Below is our roster on the game, with their position designation and ranking. What do you think of the ratings? Most underrated?

ST Omar Bravo 71
GK Jimmy Nielsen 69
LF Ryan Smith 68
CB Jimmy Conrad 67
ST Kei Kamara 64
CDM Stephane Auvray 64
LB Roger Espinoza 64
ST Teal Bunbury 63
ST Josh Wolff 63
ST Birahim Diop 63
ST Sunil Chhetri 63
CAM Davy Arnaud 62
CM Jack Jewsbury 62
CB Nikos Kounenakis 62
ST Zoltan 61
RB Chance Myers 61
CM Craig Rocastle 61
CB Shavar Thomas 61
RM Graham Zusi 60
LB Michael Harrington 60
GK Jon Kempin 59
CB Matt Besler 59
RB Jon Leathers 59
CB Aaron Hohlbein 59
GK Eric Kronberg
ST Jamar Beasley 57
RB Korede Aiyegbusi 52

Building Boom in KCK

 

Fox 4 checked in with all the construction taking place around Kansas Speedway as this weekend's race nears. As you know, our stadium is one of the biggest components.

Espinoza 1st Pitch

Word on the street is that Roger Espinoza has a pretty decent arm. His pitch made it to Brayan Pena without a hop. He had a good time at The K last night as the Royals recognized him for representing Honduras in the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Picture proof is below...we'll have video later on.

KC Soccer Show Tonight

Josh Whisenhunt.

The KC Soccer Show on Sports Radio 810 has been moving around a little bit of late. This week, the show will air tonight from 8-9 p.m. CT. Listen live on 810 AM or online at www.810whb.com. Josh Whisenhunt and Jake Gutierrez will talk about this week's UEFA Champions League action, past and future Wizards matches and the upcoming U.S. Men's friendlies. Enjoy!

Re-Live Stadium Live Chat

Couldn't tune in for this morning's chat with David Ficklin about the new stadium? Re-live the chat below:

Saturday's Post-Game Game

The KC Jaguars FC of the National Star Soccer League were crowned North Central Conference champions on Saturday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark with a dramatic 2-0 victory over Emporia Pumas FC. Striker Jonny Rueda scored both goals for the Jaguars, including the championship-clinching goal with less than five minutes remaining.

“To be champions two years in a row is amazing,” KC Jaguars FC head coach Gilberto Rizo said following the victory. “This is a very competitive league, and this team has traveled a long way to get here.”

The Jaguars trailed 3-2 in the home-and-home championship series following a loss at Emporia, but were crowned champions 4-3 on aggregate with a 2-0 victory on Saturday. Rueda scored the series-winner in the game’s final five minutes when he beat the Emporia Pumas FC goalkeeper with a well-placed chip from the right side of the penalty area.

The match was played under the lights at CommunityAmerica Ballpark, immediately following the Kansas City Wizards match against FC Dallas.

The KC Jaguars FC defended their NSSL championship from last season, when they beat Siouxland United FC 4-3 in the 2009 final. The National Star Soccer League is an affiliate of the United States Adult Soccer Association and has conferences across the United States. The North Central Conference has nine teams located in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, and each team plays an 18-week regular season schedule.

For more information, visit the league website at www.nationalstarsoccerleague.com.

Wolff in Wine Spectator

Wolff expanded his taste for wine in Germany.

Anyone who knows Josh Wolff knows he is a refined dude. This story in Wine Spectator Magazine pretty much confirms it. His initial quote? “In college you tinker with the alcohols, but wine is definitely what I prefer now,” said Wolff.”

Well said.

Read the rest of the article, featuring Brian McBride, Landon Donovan and more here.

FIFA 11 Drops TONIGHT

See more Game Videos at EA.com.

That's right, the next time-consuming FIFA video game is about to drop, FIFA Soccer 11. Pick it up tonight after midnight or tomorrow during normal business hours, if they haven't already been removed from the racks by fellow footie heads. You know Kei Kamara will have a copy. Will you? 

Our own Kurt Austin has already fessed up to immediately transferring Omar Bravo to Kansas City once he has his copy. Sounds like a good plan to me.

Another DOH! Moment

Remember this guy? He's back, and very ashamed for his latest misstep.

Wizards Drop Points

With two goals allowed in the first 12 minutes, Kansas City dropped a 3-1 result against red-hot FC Dallas Saturday at CAB. Ryan Smith scored the lone goal for the Wizards, his 3rd of the season. Marvin Chavez, Milton Rodriguez and Jeff Cunningham scored for FCD. See the quotes from the game here. Read the notables here. Highlights below.

Traffic Alert!

Traffic Alert! Traffic Alert! Fans coming to CAB for tonight's 7 p.m. match (NOTE, kickoff is 7 and not 7:30 this evening) against FC Dallas, try to avoid 435 because it is down to one lane between the turnoff to K-10 and 87th street as you make the turn from westbound to northbound. Keep that in mind when planning your route to the stadium this evening.

We will be recognizing Jimmy Conrad tonight before kickoff for playing in 200 games for the Wizards. He reached that plateau in Wednesday's huge 4-3 win over Houston. 

See you at the stadium!

Presidential Wager

So our President is betting their President that our team is better than their team, or something like that. Take a look at the latest wager from FCD President & CEO Doug Quinn (a Kansas City guy and Shawnee Mission East grad):

Kansas City Wizards President Robb Heineman has accepted a “Charity Challenge” from FC Dallas President Doug Quinn for Saturday’s match. Should the Wizards win, Quinn will donate four Kansas City Wizards 2011 season tickets to the LIVESTRONG Army of Kansas City, a local organization that supports the Lance Armstrong Foundation. If the Wizards lose, Heineman will donate four FC Dallas 2011 season tickets to the Frisco Family YMCA by Bilello, a non-profit group near Pizza Hut Park.

Quinn, a Kansas City native and graduate from Shawnee Mission East High School in Prairie Village, Kansas, has extended charity wagers in each of Dallas’ last six games.

Come on boys...win the LIVESTRONG Army of Kansas City some tix with a win!

Wizards Sponsor Tour De BBQ

The Kansas City Wizards have partnered with the Livestrong Army of Kansas City for the organization’s 2nd annual Tour De BBQ to raise funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation and the University of Kansas Cancer Center. The Tour De BBQ will be held on Saturday, October 2 and features 15-mile, 30-mile and 60-mile courses for registered bike riders. Each course includes designated stops at local barbecue establishments for free barbecue. The tour ends at the Power & Light District, where the event culminates with free food and beverages and a concert by the rock band Smashmouth. All participants will also receive a free t-shirt.

The Wizards and Livestrong Army of Kansas City have previously worked together to host a soccer clinic for children and young adults who have been impacted by cancer earlier this season. A recap of that event is available at KCWizards.com.

Individuals can get more information and sign-up for the Tour De BBQ on the event website at TourDeBBQ.com.

Webcam Version 2.0

As some of you have already noticed, the KC Soccer Stadium webcam has stepped it up a notch. There are now two cameras to choose from: the original exterior came that shoots from the East and a new interior cam that is hanging in the Southwest corner of the building. The interior camera also pans as you watch, so you can see practically the entire building if you stay on the page for a couple of minutes.

When you first visit the webcam site, you will see the new interior cam. If you'd like to see the original cam, click on the link in the upper right-hand corner of the webcam page that says "outside stadium".

BVN Loves Kempin

Take a look at this excellent video piece put together by Blue Valley North students about their classmate and new Wizards goalkeeper Jon Kempin. He's a senior in high school and a professional athlete. Sounds sweet, doesn't it?

Jon 3:16 from Studio 424 on Vimeo.

Unfortunately, Jon will have to miss our match Saturday night. Why? Homecoming. See how he asked his date, with a little help from our video guru Jake:

The Game is in KC!

Kansas City is one of the 18 remaining cities in the hunt to host FIFA World Cup matches if the United States' bid to host the tournament in 2018 or 2022 is successful. Watch the excellent bid video above, then text "KansasCity" to 22442 to show your support for bringing the tournament to the USA and games to Kansas City. Ask your friends to do it too.

You remember how much fun this summer's World Cup was? Now imagine it right in our own backyard!

Get Your Planet Sub

We don't usually have this offer on a weekday, so your work lunch choices just got easier! Head to your local Planet Sub, tell them about the Hat Trick Special and receive a Planet Sub sandwich, chips and a cookie for just $3. Unfortunately, this is only for KC-area locations, so the Lawrence, Topeka and Wichita stores won't be honoring.

Who can you thank this time? Kei Kamara, Teal Bunbury, Ryan Smith, Josh Wolff. (Assists to Rocastle, Harrington).

The Houston Game

That's the way this one will be remembered. The Houston Game. We were down 3-1...first half wasn't pretty other than Kei Kamara's nice goal. His off-the-crossbar shot wasn't bad either. Then, the second half appeared like a thing of beauty. Bunbury said thank-you-much to Pat Onstad for the low goal kick after he slipped, then Ryan Smith converted after a Harrington cross and in hero fashion, Josh Wolff arrived in the 96th minute--the latest the Wizards have ever scored a goal in MLS play--to head home another Harrington cross. Wow. Playoffs here we come? Let's hope! Quotes here. Notables here.

By the way, the Planet Sub Hat Trick Special is on tomorrow! Thank the boys for your reduced-price lunch.

Kei Kamara Arrives at CAB

Today, MLSsoccer.com caught up with Kei Kamara as he entered CAB. Take a look:

Ficklin Talks KC Soccer Stadium

Blogger extraordinaire Thad Bell got some killer quotes from our VP of Development David Ficklin about the new stadium and why we are calling it the First Authentic American Soccer Stadium. SF still isn't impressed, saying it will be the 3rd best park in MLS. What do you think about that?

Fun Pics on Facebook

Today was a good day for pictures about the Kansas City Wizards. First Robb Heineman snapped 11 excellent photos from inside KC Soccer Stadium. Check them out here at the KCSS Facebook page. 

Later, Community Relations guru Erin Lawless returned with some great I'm-losing-my-hair pics of Davy Arnaud, Roger Espinoza and Graham Zusi at a Bald is Beautiful event benefiting the Curing Children's Cancer Fund. Once again, lots of good stuff here on our team Facebook page.

Want to Win a Mower?

Of course you do! Who doesn't? Our good friends at Van Wall Equipment have provided us with a $1500 John Deere LA105 that they will be giving away to one lucky fan who enters the competition. Just provide some brief information and wait. Winner will be announced at the final Wizards home game, October 23rd. You must be over 18 to enter. If you're not, ask your parents to sign up for you. Click here to register.

Vote for Kamara

He's really been outstanding this year, hasn't he? Striker Kei Kamara is once again up for MLS Goal of the Week after a stunning self-header and volley effort in the area. VOTE HERE. You can watch all the goals below.

Vote, Vote, Vote!

Help Jimmy Conrad and the Kansas City Wizards take home the MLS Pepsi Refresh competition and win 50K for a rehabilitation project in Belvedere Park in KCMO.We're running a little competition on our Facebook page. If you vote 25 times (the daily max) and post a screen grab/picture of the daily limit screen on Facebook, you have the chance of winning a Wizards jersey signed by the player of your choice. Vote 25 times, take a picture and post it on Facebook! Do it! Do it!

Since this is Jimmy C's program, he'd be happy to sign for you, but if another player is your fave, you can get his instead.

VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Wizards 2, Chivas USA 0

The hot streak continues. Kansas City is now 5-1-3 over the last nine MLS matches, leaving the Wizards six points behind Seattle Sounders FC for the final playoff spot. Good news is that we have two games in hand on Seattle and play them at home next month. We're now 8-9-6 on the season with seven games remaining, four of which come at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Tonight the star of the game has to be Kei Kamara. His individual effort on the opening goal was remarkable, and his ball over the top to Teal Bunbury on the second goal was well-timed and well-weighted. Great game. Jimmy Nielsen only had to make one save (in the 3rd minute of second-half stoppage time, no less) for his 9th shutout of his inaugural MLS campaign. The defensive effort was great from everyone in front of him tonight. On to the next one. Come watch us play the Houston Dynamo Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m. CT. Call 888-4KC-GOAL for tix.

CAB Wins Another Playing-Surface Award

As you might recall, last year CommunityAmerica Ballpark was selected as the Soccer Field of the Year by the Sports Turf Managers Association (STMA). Now, CAB has won a second-straight award for the Northern League Playing Surface of the Year. While that's technically a T-Bones award, our grounds crew led by Jay Griggs at CAB do an outstanding job to keep the field in good shape for MLS games, T-Bones games and all the other events that take place before and after matches. Quite frankly, they're the shiznit. Great work Jay, Michael and company.

Henry/Hartman Craziness

Former Wizards goalkeeper Kevin Hartman had an interesting run-in with new MLS star Thierry Henry last night in Dallas. Can't find video, but after a NY goal, Hartman went to clear the ball back up to midfield as Henry went to blast the ball into the back of the net in an NBA JAM Double-Dunk reference. Unfortunately, Kevin's foot was in the way, and the attempt caused some serious damage. Reports have indicated that Hartman has a strained ligament in his knee after the incident. Yikes. 

Henry on the challenge: "He put his foot out there and I just wanted to smash the ball back in the net. A pure accident. I told him I was sorry. He accepted it. It was one of those stupid things."
See the play here:

Go Vote, Go Vote!

You heard Jimmy C say it; we're in 2nd place behind Philadelphia, and I've heard we're closing ground. Go vote to help us win the Pepsi Refresh Project and rehab Belvedere Park in Northeast KCMO!

Playoff Push Package

Enjoying the Wizards recent run of form but aren't a season ticket holder? Want to watch the Wizards push for the playoffs over the last four home matches, three of which will come against clubs currently in playoff position? We've got the deal for you! You can buy bleacher tickets to the final four matches of the 2010 MLS season for the price of three matches. That's one bleacher ticket to each match for just $60 total. Do it!

Doh!

This is a joke right?

Buy a Pink Scarf for Good Cause

The Hillcrest Syndicate, one group that makes up the loud-and-crazy Cauldron on game days, is taking pre-orders for pink Breast Cancer Awareness scarves. To purchase your scarf, visit http://www.hillcrestsyndicate.com/. They cost $25, and all proceeds will be donated to a breast-cancer-supporting community organization.

Happy B-Day Stadium Project

Today, as Charles Gooch over at the Kansas City Star has just discussed, marks the one year anniversary since the plan to build KC Soccer Stadium across from Nebraska Furniture Mart in Village West. What a year it has been. What a magnificent day 09-09-09 was to see the beautiful rendering on the front page of the Star. 

I was in Washington, D.C. at the time, as the team was on a marathon three-game in eight-day road trip to the east coast. Peter Vermes alerted the team to the plans first thing in the morning, and we had print outs of the story and rendering on hand. The players were extremely excited and rightfully still are.

As Gooch notes in his write-up, the progress has been astounding. Enjoy Gooch's write-up and the quotes from David Ficklin. The stadium is scheduled to open in less than nine months!

Today's RtV for Pepsi Refresh KC

Once more, a reason to vote 25 times straight from the mouth (or typing fingers) of Jimmy Conrad.

"If you want to see bubbles floating behind an awesome comb-over, look no further than here (link). You can also, to borrow a phrase from Spike Lee, do the right thing and hit the "vote now" button on the opposite side of the picture of my majestic hair and help me raise $50,000 for a much-needed renovation of a park in Kansas City. Your love knows no bounds. Thanks!"

Go vote, refresh and repeat!

KC Soccer Show TONIGHT

The KC Soccer Show has moved due to 810 commitments on Saturday's. This week, the show will air tonight from 8-9 p.m. CT on Sports Radio 810. Josh Whisenhunt and Nate Bukaty will host, and Davy Arnaud will join them on the show. The new time slot of the show going forward has not been set in stone, but we'll let you know as soon as it is. Make sure to tune in tonight to hear what Josh and Nate have to say about the Wizards, MLS and all the international action of late.

Listen live at www.810whb.com.

Conrad Joins the Circus

Can't make this stuff up :) Jimmy Conrad will be attending a Pachyderm Picnic today at 12 p.m. CT. Don't believe it? Read the below press release:

Pack a brown-bag and join downtown residents, business people and pre-schoolers from Operation Breakthrough for lunch on Wednesday, September 8, with the largest stars of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® presents ZING ZANG ZOOM, brought to you by Price Chopper. All Kansas City-area residents are invited to join in this Pachyderm Picnic!

The  “Elephant Lunch” will take place at Noon, Wednesday, Sept.8, in front of the Sprint Center, 1407 Grand Street. Attendees should bring their own sack lunch and gather on the Plaza... NOTE: Grand Street will be closed to traffic from Truman Road to 13th Street from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m..

While the Asian elephant stars are treated to a healthy, nutritious meal of apples, bananas, watermelons and other produce, donated by Price Chopper, Children of All Ages will learn about these magnificent animals from a Ringling Bros. animal care specialist. Members of the Kansas City Wizards Soccer Team will also be on hand to share some of their healthy habits and sign autographs after the event.

Weighing in at up to 10,000 pounds, the Asian elephants are the largest stars in the 139th Edition of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey, which performs eight shows at the Sprint Center, Wednesday, Sept. 8 through Sunday, Sept. 12. The fun begins an hour before the show with Ringling Bros. Clown College® at the All Access Pre-show –FREE with your ticket!

FIFA Inspection Tour of US

Yesterday, the FIFA Technical Delegation arrived in New York for the start of a four-day tour of the United States to evaluate our bid to host the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022. Today started with a press conference in which U.S. Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati took questions from media members, followed by stops at Red Bull Arena and the New Meadowlands Stadium. Read a transcript of the press conference here or watch the full press conference here. As always, follow the USA Bid on Twitter for the latest: www.Twitter.com/goUSAbid. 

Here are some pictures from the FIFA arrival last night. Remember, keep signing the petition! Either visit www.goUSAbid.com/KC or text "KansasCity" to 22442. We're over 1 million now, but the more, the merrier!

Meet Mike the Equipment Manager

If you watched the broadcast this weekend, you probably saw the bit during our pre-game show about Mike Flaherty, our beloved equipment dude. If you missed it or just want to see it again, enjoy!

Important Road Point

It's not quite a win, but the road point will be very helpful as we come down the stretch looking to get back into the playoff mix. Arnaud's second-half free kick was a thing of beauty, but could Chris Seitz have done better? Watch the highlights above and be the judge.

As it currently stands, we're just two points out of the final playoff spot, but there are still plenty of games to be played this weekend. For the quotes from today's draw, click here. For the notables in the post-game release, click here.

Euro Qualifications Begin

ESPN3.com is the home for soccer fans this weekend, as many of the European Championship qualification matches will be shown on the platform. FSC is carrying the England-Bulgaria game right now, so tune in if you support the Brits or like to see them lose. Follow the latest scores from your computer here, and enjoy your holiday weekend!

Friday's RtV for our Pepsi Refresh Project

By now you know the drill. Here's why you should vote 25 times today for our Pepsi Refresh Project plan to rehab Belvedere Park in Northeast KCMO. You're doing a great job so far, as we're in 2nd place in voting! Keep it up and let's take over the top spot!!

"Due to a new interpretation of recent portions of the Bible, the following statement has been uncovered:  Thou shalt vote for any cause that Jimmy Conrad believeth in. So do it now."

VOTE NOW...then refresh and repeat 24 times!

Today's RtV for KC Pepsi Refresh

Today's Reason to Vote (RtV from here on out) from Jimmy Conrad for our Pepsi Refresh project to rehab Belvedere Park in KCMO?

"#18 - You need to spend the 10 minutes to vote for me 25 times in the Pepsi Refresh Project because it will count as your Chicken Soup For The Soul moment of your day.  You'll thank me later."

VOTE NOW...up to 25 times daily!

i-ROK Foundation 5K

We've told you about Kori Quinn several times before...shes'a remarkable young lady, and her organization the i-ROK Foundation will be holding their second-annual 5K Saturday in Excelsior Springs, Missouri. They are still taking registrations, so if your Saturday morning is open and you'd like to run around for a good cause, head over here and sign up!

Reason 19 to Vote JC and KC

Photo hijacked from my boy SF at The Offside Rules.

Jimmy Conrad, our project representative, will be giving us daily reasons to vote for the Kansas City Pepsi Refresh project. We will also post funny JC photos each day, so enjoy that as well. Today's reason to help us rehab Belvedere Park in KCMO?

The fans need to continue to vote for me and my Pepsi Refresh Project because the $50,000 we're trying to raise to revitalize a park for the kids will actually look a lot better in my 401k.  Come on, people.  We're in third.  Bronze territory.  Keep pushing!

You can vote up to 25 times per day here. Do it! We're in 3rd place...well within striking distance of the prize. Keep voting!