The Kansas City Wizards held an exhibition match late last week at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

As far as the real games are concerned, they begin soon.

The Wizards will welcome D.C. United into Kansas City, Kan., for the MLS Season Opener two Saturdays from now on March 27.

A reminder – the Wizards are offering a 20 percent discount on season ticket packages and all season-game tickets for residents of Wyandotte County.

The offer is an exclusive for just Wyandotte County residents or employees. Season-game tickets can be purchased by calling the team at (913) 387-3400 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com/wyandotte

The Kansas City Wizards will offer a 20 percent discount on season ticket packages and all season-game tickets for residents of Wyandotte County.

The offer is an exclusive local offer for just residents and employees of the county. Season-game tickets can be purchased by calling the team at (913) 387-3400 or by going to www.ticketmaster.com/wyandotte.

Season tickets can be purchased by calling the aforementioned number.

The catch – the offer stands until just March 25, two days before the team's season opener on March 27.

With the discount, season ticket packages can be purchased for $145.

Courtesy of the Kansas City Wizards

The Kansas City Wizards announced today that local station KCWE Channel 29 will be the team’s broadcast partner for the 2010 season.

As part of the deal, all 27 Wizards games not on national television will be broadcast live and in high definition with 30-minute pregame and postgame shows on KCWE. 
As the network will be an over-the-air broadcast partner, the deal will allow the team the potential to reach every household in Kansas City.

“KCWE is excited to be associated with the Kansas City Wizards, one of the most popular professional sports franchises in this city,” said Wayne Godsey, KMBC/KCWE President and General Manager.  “As America’s number one CW affiliate, we understand what it takes to put together a winning team.  We’re confident that our new television partnership with the Wizards will deliver wholesome family entertainment valued by our viewing audience.”

Like the Wizards, KCWE launched in 1996.  Today, KCWE is the number one CW affiliate in the nation, known regionally for airing shows like “The Vampire Diaries,” “Gossip Girl,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “90210,” “One Tree Hill,” “The Office,” “Two and a Half Men,” and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

As a CW affiliate, KCWE falls under the umbrella of Hearst Television, owner of 29 television stations nationwide, including local ABC affiliate and sister station KMBC Channel 9.

"This deal with Hearst Television will enable us to reach all the homes in the metro area in high definition for every game," OnGoal CEO and Kansas City Wizards President Robb Heineman said. "This new partnership will provide a great broadcast to our supporters and will help generate interest for the Wizards and soccer throughout Kansas City."

KCWE can be seen over the air in Kansas City on channel 29 and is also available on Time Warner Cable channel 7, Comcast Cable Missouri channel 2, Comcast Cable Kansas channel 13, Sure West cable channel 16, Sunflower Broadband channel 17, Dish Network channel 8435, Direct TV channel 948, AT&T channel 29 and channel 2 on Charter Cablevision in Warrensburg and Sedalia.

Play-by-play broadcaster Dave Borchardt will anchor the games on KCWE, with color commentary from former Wizards midfielder Sasha Victorine.

Since joining the Wizards in February of 2008, Borchardt has contributed to the team’s broadcasts as a host for Wizards pregame and postgame television shows, a radio play-by-play man, a radio talk-show host and a sideline reporter, in addition to frequently providing content on the Wizards team website and blog.

Prior to joining the Wizards, Borchardt worked at Sports Radio 810 WHB in Kansas City from 2000-2008.

While at 810, he hosted “The Late Show” as well as the station’s Kansas City Chiefs pregame and postgame shows.

He was also a reporter for the station, frequently covering the Missouri Tigers, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals.

Sasha Victorine rejoins the Kansas City Wizards after concluding a successful 10-year MLS career that saw him play for the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Wizards and Chivas USA.

The Kansas City Wizards will begin their season on KCWE on March 27th at CommunityAmerica Ballpark when they take on D.C. United at 7:30 p.m.

Another small step was taken by the Unified Government tonight to make the new Kansas City Wizards stadium a reality.

The UG Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a plan review on the stadium's new outside and "shell" development.

Members of OnGoal, the Wizards ownership group, made a presentation to the commissioners on what the stadium will look like on the outside.

"We're going to build one of the finest stadiums in the world," said David Ficklin, vice president of development at OnGoal, LLC. "That's not an exaggeration."

The stadium will seat just over 16,500 soccer fans. While it will be primarily used for the Wizards, community events and entertainment will also be presented there.

PICTURED: A drawing of the stadium presented to the Unified Government this month.

Courtesy of The Kansas City Wizards

The Kansas City Wizards fought to two draws in a preseason matchup with fellow MLS side Chivas USA on Wednesday.

The meeting between the teams was split into two 60-minute games with 30-minute halves. The teams tied the first game 1-1 before going scoreless in the second game.

“Chivas was a really good opponent for us; they're a quality team,” said Wizards Manager Peter Vermes. “We showed some glimpses of some good attacking play, and were solid defensively as well. All in all, it was a productive day.”

The Wizards opened the first game with a lineup that made use of the club’s many off-season imports. Of the 12 players that took part in the first session, seven were not on the Wizards’ roster at this point last year.

Chivas didn’t have any trouble dealing with the unfamiliarity, as the Los Angeles side took first blood after a back-and-forth opening stanza. Mariano Trujillo scored the opener, after some good work on the right between Michael Lahoud and Ante Jazic in the 26th minute.

The Wizards would equalize in the 45th minute through Josh Wolff. English midfielder Ryan Smith played a big part, stepping up to intercept the ball in midfield before feeding Kei Kamara, who in turn set up Wolff for his finish.

The Wizards dominated the run of play thereafter, with Smith, Davy Arnaud and Wolff all coming close to increasing the Wizards’ advantage. It was not to be, however, as the first game finished with a 1-1 scoreline.

Manager Peter Vermes elected to go with a much more familiar line-up to start the second game, with all but two players appearing on the Wizards’ roster last season. Michael Kraus nearly got the Wizards on the board early, but saw his effort saved by Chivas goalkeeper Dan Kennedy.

The Wizards continued to create chances, with Michael Harrington and Santiago Hirsig playing many dangerous crosses into the box. Unfortunately, the Wizards could not capitalize on their opportunities and the second match finished in a 0-0 tie.

The Wizards will continue their preseason preparations this Friday with the first of two games against the Los Angeles Galaxy.

A pre-sale of individual Kansas City Wizards game tickets for Wyandotte County residents began this morning and will conclude Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased online by Wyandotte County residents at www.ticketmaster.com/wyandotte .

The general public can begin purchasing single-game tickets Thursday at 10 a.m. by calling 1-800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com/kcwizards.

The past nine months have been an interesting time for both Kansas City, Kan., and the Kansas City Wizards.

Today, Wizards President Robb Heineman discussed stadium developments, the team's future in KCK and the club's efforts to get out in the community.

Shortly after the State of Kansas and the Unified Government officially approved a deal to build the Wizards new stadium at Village West, work began on the construction of the stadium.

But the process began in about three years ago when it was announced the team would be playing home games in KCK.

"When we first moved to Community America Ballpark, we were pleasantly surprised with the reaction in Wyandotte County," Heineman said.

In April 2009, with their plan in Kansas City, Mo., stalled, the Wizards were approached by local leadership in Wyandotte County about the possibility of the Wizards permanently staying in KCK.

"It was a new light at the end of the tunnel," Heineman said. "We were fired up and it was a transformational time for our organization. It's been great working with Mayor Reardon and staff from the Unified Government."

Regarding the new stadium, the general plan is in place.

But for "several hours each day," the stadium is discussed between those in the Wizards organization. Among the hottest topics during a meeting today was the size of the planned video boards inside the stadium.

The Wizards' move to Wyandotte County corresponds with a growing popularity of soccer in surrounding high schools.

"There's definitely an evolution with soccer that's occurred over the years," Heineman said. "It's the same sport for both boys and girls...with the same rules. Soccer is easy to play as long as you have a field."

Along with the Wizards practice facility and tournament field complex, three urban area soccer fields will be built around Wyandotte County. A transportation system is in the works to transport kids to the fields if needed.

"Our partnership with Wyandotte County allows us to have these plans," Heineman said. "The support we have received from Wyandotte County has been unbelievable."

With any transformational experience, one party is bound to be left out.

"We know this decision disappointed some of our fans on the Missouri side," Heineman said. "But we think this new stadium will be unbelievable and it will attract fans from all around Kansas City."

Construction on the stadium is an hour-by-hour process.

"It's my goal to get the stadium done as soon as possible," Heineman said.

That goal, time wise, is by the summer of 2011. The stadium will host the Wizards, high school games and other entertainment events.

Story courtesy of the Kansas City Wizards

The Kansas City Wizards continued their fine start to the preseason on Wednesday, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0 at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in suburban Phoenix, Arizona.

Kei Kamara made the biggest impact for the Wizards, scoring all three goals in the first of four 30-minute sessions.

“It was a good opportunity to evaluate the players we have left in camp,” said Wizards manager Peter Vermes. “To be able to score some goals and create some chances was obviously an added benefit as well.”

It took just over 20 minutes for Kamara to score his first goal, heading home a right side cross from Chance Myers just outside the six-yard box.

After that the goals appeared to come easy for the Sierra Leone international. Just four minutes after his first goal, Kamara grabbed his second of the afternoon on a breakaway after collecting a missed clearance by the San Jose defense, slotting the ball past San Jose goalkeeper Joe Cannon right as he crossed into the 18-yard area.

Kamara only had to wait another four minutes to cap off his hat trick with a left-footed goal from the penalty spot, this time off a cross from left-sided trialist Ryan Smith.

“Kei found himself in some good spots and took advantage of the opportunities that were given to him,” Vermes said. “He has a burning desire to be successful, so that’s obviously a big help.”

The Wizards will look to continue their preseason winning streak this Saturday when they play the San Jose Earthquakes again, this time at The Soccer Stadium on the campus of Arizona State University. The Wizards won their first preseason match against the NPSL’s Arizona Sahuaros 5-0 last Saturday.

The Kansas City Wizards began training in Phoenix, Arizona last week, signaling the start of a five-week preseason camp to prepare the team for the 2010 MLS season.

Nine teams from across Major League Soccer will join the Wizards in the Arizona capital, part of an effort by the organization to create a consistent preseason base for multiple MLS teams.

Daily training updates, videos and match reports from Arizona will be available throughout the preseason on www.kcwizards.com and Hillcrest Road, the official blog of the Kansas City Wizards (www.hillcrestroadblog.com).

The slate of games for the 2010 Kansas City Wizards has been announced.

The Wizards will begin their season with three out of the first four games in Kansas City, Kan. The Wizards open the season at home against D.C. United on March 27.

The Wizards will host Colorado in their second game of the season, which will also be played at CommunityAmerica Ballpark on April 10.

After a road game in Seattle, the Wizards will return to KCK to play rival Los Angeles Galaxy on April 24.

Of the 15 home games, 13 will be played on Saturdays, with most featuring starting times of 7:30 p.m. The Wizards will play a Sunday afternoon game against Columbus and a Thursday night game against Philadelphia.

Kansas City's road games on May 1 and May 5 against Houston and D.C. United will be featured on Fox Soccer and ESPN2 respectively.

The May 23 home game against Chicago will also be on Fox Soccer Channel.

The full schedule:

For season tickets and group sales, contact the Wizards’ ticket office toll-free at 1-888-4KC-GOAL, or visit www.kcwizards.com.

As promised, the Kansas City Wizards wasted no time at all on the start of construction.

Wizards President Robb Heineman broke the first official ground on the new stadium today.

"We've been waiting for this moment for six years," Heineman said. "It's a dream. I feel this stadium could be the most special in the United States."

The 18,000-seat stadium will host the Wizards, along with concerts and other athletic events. It should be open before the 2012 Major League Soccer season.

More photos after the jump.

A number by number look at some of the key economic and statistical figures concerning the Cerner office complex and new Kansas City Wizards stadium and practice facility:

• $414 million: The total amount of investment when combining private and public investment sources.

• 600,000 square feet: The size of the Cerner Corporation's office complex.

• $54,000: The average salary of a job position created by the construction of the office complex.

• 4,000: The amount of eventual jobs created by Cerner.

• 3,000: The amount of construction jobs created during the construction phase of the overall project.

• 3,960: The number of new jobs created annually in connection to the operation and maintenance of the stadium and soccer fields.

• $10 million: The direct economic impact for Wyandotte County in the first six years of operation.

• $18 million: The Unified Government will receive that number as the payment for the required land for both projects.

• $147 million: The amount of STAR Bond proceeds that will be used via sales tax revenues at Village West. The STAR Bonds will be used primarily for the Wizards stadium.

• $ 0: The amount of property tax dollars used to fund the project.

• $ 85 million: The amount of tax credits issued by the State of Kansas. They will be used on the Cerner portion.

• $30.4 million: The penalty Cerner will be required to pay if the job creation doesn't match the expected timeline agreed to.

The Kansas City Wizards are wasting no time in beginning the construction of their new stadium.

OnGoal CEO and Kansas City Wizards President Robb Heineman tweeted tonight that dirt will move beginning tomorrow at 1 p.m.

The new stadium will hold 18,000 seats. The stadium will also host concerts and other athletic events, including those in high school.

The Unified Government Board of Commissioners unanimously approved of multiple motions tonight that will officially allow for construction on the new Kansas City Wizards' stadium and new Cerner facility to begin.

In a process that began in September, Kansas City, Kan., will now be home to a Major League Soccer team permanently and an office complex expected to bring thousands of jobs.

For Cerner, a 600,000 square feet office complex will be built, which will generate about 4,000 jobs in job creation within four years. For the Wizards, a brand new soccer-only 18,000-seat stadium.

For Wyandotte County, the biggest benefit will be jobs.

"The (Cerner office) is part of the journey of Wyandotte County," said Joe Reardon, Unified Government Mayor/CEO. "When you look at the economy in Wyandotte County, so much of it is still tied to industry. These will be job opportunities for the near term and the long-term."

Along with the jobs created by Cerner, over 1,000 construction jobs will be created during the project's construction.

Financially, the plan will be boosted by $147 million in STAR bond proceeds generated by sales tax revenues. No property tax dollars will be used to finance it.

A $30 million investment from private donors and investors will finance a 18-field facility at Wyandotte County Park. The fields are expected to draw over 2 million to Wyandotte County.

Three recreational soccer fields will also be built across Wyandotte County. They will be spread out over the county's geography.

"The development of these fields will allow us to bring development in the sport of soccer in Kansas City," said Robb Heineman, OnGoal CEO. (OnGoal owns the Wizards.) "I think the two million number is too low. There's no reason to think this won't be a first class complex."

Heineman believes league tournaments not just from Kansas City – but across the United States and throughout Europe – will select KCK as a host city.

Cliff Illig, vice chairman and co-founder of Cerner, said Cerner's expansion across the state-line is exciting.

"We see Kansas City as a community without a state line," he said. "We've grown our business and we're just excited to serve as part of this joint vision."

The soccer stadium, located across the street from Nebraska Furniture Mart, will be completed by the opening of the 2012 season. The recreation fields will be available for use in 2011.
 

The final step necessary for the start of construction of the new Cerner/Kansas City Wizards project could be complete tomorrow.

After a deal was finalized with the State of Kansas, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County will hold a special commission meeting tomorrow at 5 p.m. in City Hall.

Should the UG formally approve the deal tomorrow, construction will begin immediately.

The project is located at Village West.

The $414 million Kansas City Wizards-Cerner Office Campus project could create over 8,000 jobs, which would be largest job creation project in the history of Wyandotte County.

Once completed in 2011, the entire project will triple the number of jobs in Village West from 4,473 to 12,791. The total payroll of the Village West jobs would skyrocket to $334 million from an original $81 million figure.

Last year, the Kansas City Wizards went defense in the first of the MLS SuperDraft. This year, offense is on the mind.

The Wizards selected Teal Bunbury of Akron with the fourth overall pick of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft.

Bunbury, a forward, is considered one of the young elite offensive talents in soccer.

As a sophomore in 2009, he won Soccer America's Player of the Year, was selected to College Soccer News All-America First Team, and was named the winner of the Missouri Athletic Club Hermann Trophy.

He led the nation in goals with 17 as a sophomore

He's also been a member of the Canada U-17 and Canada U-20 team. He also decided to end his collegiate career and joined the Generation adidas league.

Bunbury already has a history with the Wizards.

His father, Alex, scored four goals in 24 games for the Kansas City Wizards between 1999-2000.

OTHER DRAFT NEWS: ESPN2 is reporting that the Wizards are accepting calls for a possible trade involving team captain and defender Jimmy Conrad.

No move has been made yet.