2010 Kansas City Wizards

[mudjack]

The Wizards are today's Groupon.

http://www.groupon.com/kansas-city/

[szazzy]

The Wizards are competing with other MLS teams for a $50,000 Pepsi Refresh grant. Their idea is to help build youth soccer fields in Belvedere Park for use by the Don Bosco centers and the Northeast International leagues. I can't find this park on google maps. Where is it? I feel like I've been there, and I know the Wizards are already working with some groups to rehab the park regardless of whether they win. Still an extra 50k to go into a local park here wouldn't be a bad thing. You can vote 25 times per day.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/pepsirefresh/kansascity

Also, KC takes on the LA Galaxy tonight. If we get a win here, we're certainly back in the thick of the playoff race - 9:30pm on KCWE and KCWEHD, or there's a watch party at Johnny's in P&L if you want to watch it with fellow fans.

[staubio]

Belvedere Park is that odd wedge of land between I-35, Paseo and Independence Ave. It is hidden a bit because it is sunken from the land facing Indy Ave. There are already two sets of full goals and some mini goals down there. We've taken a look at it for Tuesday downtown soccer but it isn't in the best shape.

[KCMax]

Wizards take Blue Valley North goalkeeper Jon Kempin as its first "Homegrown Player."

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/31/21 ... first.html

[bobbyhawks]

Wizards take Blue Valley North goalkeeper Jon Kempin as its first "Homegrown Player."

http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/31/21 ... first.html

I wonder how much he will get paid.  Is it enough to skip a free ride to college?  From the paltry salaries I've heard they give the bench players, it would have to be a pretty good signing bonus.

[staubio]

I wonder how much he will get paid.  Is it enough to skip a free ride to college?  From the paltry salaries I've heard they give the bench players, it would have to be a pretty good signing bonus.

He doesn't lose his eligibility since he will be a Generation Adidas player. He can still go to school. GA players are basically senior roster development players that don't eat a roster spot.

[KCMax]

I wonder how much he will get paid.  Is it enough to skip a free ride to college?  From the paltry salaries I've heard they give the bench players, it would have to be a pretty good signing bonus.

He still gets a free ride to college courtesy of MLS.

[ComandanteCero]

uh... nice...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/s ... index.html

[AllThingsKC]

The Wizards become the first team in the MLS to over-come a 2-goal deficit this season.

They are now just 3 points away from a playoff spot.

[KCPowercat]

I got in late and tuned in just for the game winner....NICE job boys.

[Ez Street]

New blog on the possible name change of the Wizards....

http://cjonline.com/interact/blog/david ... _name_game

[KCMax]

Name change expected to be announced next week.

http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_cont ... =yes&pbr=1

The front runner for the new name: Sporting KC or Sporting Kansas City.

Other rumored possibilities include KC 96 and KC Sporting Club.

[aknowledgeableperson]

KC 69.  In high school we always had a cheer for the player wearing #69.

[szazzy]

Name change expected to be announced next week.

http://www.kcconfidential.com/full_cont ... =yes&pbr=1

There was never anything behind the "corporate name" as far as I can tell. It seems like something Hearne alone was speculating on, and Robb Heineman explicitly denied. I'm guessing he didn't understand that they would sell stadium naming rights and jersey naming rights. The announcement is Wednesday at P&L at 5:30pm with a pub crawl following. My guess is they will announce the change Sporting KC, and we've heard the new striker Omar Bravo will be introduced to fans. Every rumor from someone with MLS knowledge (AKA not Hearne) comes back with Sporting KC, including Portland fans who've heard it direct from Adidas HQ.

[Ez Street]

Get use to it, that's allegedly it.

[mean]

[KC-wildcat]

I like it. 

I think the name is weird.  But, the logo is solid.  clean and simple. 

[AllThingsKC]

They have been known as the Wiz/Wizards for 15+ years and they've been gaining popularity.  So, why change the name & logo now?  Besides that, it's a stupid name and an ugly logo.

[bobbyhawks]

They have been known as the Wiz/Wizards for 15+ years and they've been gaining popularity.  So, why change the name & logo now?  Besides that, it's a stupid name and an ugly logo.

Because they won't lose a single fan due to a name change.  The Wizards base now is comprised of people who like soccer and don't care who is playing, die-hards who will support any local MLS franchise, and randoms who wander in and out.  The biggest problem with the Wizards right now is perception of poor quality of soccer, both in the MLS and locally.  Changing the name is a means to an end.  When international players hear they can sign with the Wizards, it just doesn't have the same proffesional sound.  The name change, coupled with the new stadium, is just a completely more professional sounding package.  Heck, a lot of teams with names such as "Sporting" or FC, etc., have nicknames, so its not like the Wizards can't still be a part of the 15 years of "lore" that have been created.

[ComandanteCero]

ditto.

Lame pseudo-Euro name.

It sounds like a generic firm you'd find in a suburban office park "Sporting KC".

Everything about it just lacks character.