Update from Phoenix/Roster Moves

Video guru Jake checks in with the first video update from training in the Southwest. Enjoy the sunny weather and pretend we're all there!

The Wizards waived defender Rauwshan McKenzie and dropped defender Ofori Sarkodie, midfielder Eric Gehrig and forward Kyle Brown from their preseason roster this weekend. 

A fourth round draft pick by the Wizards in 2008, McKenzie started five contests for Kansas City last season. McKenzie also made one appearance for the Wizards in 2008, starting against the then-USL Seattle Sounders in a quarterfinal of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.

Sarkodie, formerly of Indiana University, was drafted by the Wizards in the fourth round of the 2010 MLS SuperDraft. Former Loyola University Chicago midfielder Eric Gehrig and former Austin Aztex forward Kyle Brown joined the Wizards as trialists before the 2010 preseason.

What's it Take to be a KCW Junior?

Let them tell you. As always, check the Juniors' blog from time to time for other updates: www.kcwjuniors.blogspot.com. 

Friendly Win/More

Saturday night, our boys topped the Arizona Sahuaros (USASA) 5-0 in a friendly match. Thad has a full rundown, provided by a friend on the ground in AZ. The goals came from Wolff (2), Zoltan, Fuzetti and Casian**. Assists to Espinoza, Zoltan, Fuzetti and Zusi. We now play the Earthquakes on Wednesday and Saturday, both games at noon. Our video guru Jake is now on the ground in Arizona, so we should have some fun video content this week. Check here and the website for more.

In former Wizards news, Herculez Gomez scored his first goal for Puebla in a 1-1 tie against Atlante.  Herc started and played 61 minutes in the match.

And how about a nasty finish from Robinho (1:05 mark)?

Friday's KZ Training Update

Training went well again this morning. We broke up into 3 teams and played 11 v 11 full-field (12 minute games). This was the first time that we’ve gone full-field this year. It was a good opportunity to get the guys moving together and getting used to playing in a full-sided atmosphere as we build towards our first game tomorrow night.

Everyone will play a full 30 minutes tomorrow, and then do a full fitness run after they play. As we’ve gone from fitness testing to getting used to knocking the ball around again, we’ve progressed through that phase. I think we’ve arrived at the point that it’s time to see our guys against other competition, so we're excited about the game tomorrow night.

In regards to the game, I don't think you'll really see a lineup of "starters" per say. We are nowhere near deciding who are starting 11 will be, and during these early games there will be a mix of probable starters and players who are fighting for a starting spot/players the team is wanting to get a better look at.

In this morning's practice the Blue Team was the winning side. There's a chance we'll keep the teams from this morning together in the game tomorrow night. Here is what the Blue team looked like this morning:


GK--Crayton

Harrington, Hohlbein, Conrad, Leathers

Espinoza, Trialist x, Fuzetti, Arnaud

Wolff, Zoltan

Friday Link Layout

Tim Howard, Landon Donovan and Everton take on cross-town rivals Liverpool this weekend. Liverpool, as you know, is owned by Americans. Here's a feature on that clash and the England-U.S. implications it holds.

Some other interesting notes from around the world of soccer:

-John Terry is out as captain of England, as chosen by Fabio Capello.

-Frank Ribery will decide where he will play next season by the end of March.

-Newcastle's new striker turns down the number 9 shirt.

-An Aston Villa younster has been banned from attending the Carling Cup final for trying to sell tickets to the game via Facebook.

-Portsmouth is for sale once again, this time "for nothing".

Today's Update from KZ

Yesterday afternoon we did some aerobic and technical work, then some technical passing activities. We also did a little bit of pattern work to goal. We finished with 7 v 7 games.

We came out today and continued with the same idea of aerobic type activities. We played 10 v 10 (3 different teams). We're progressing well and looking forward to our first game Saturday night. With 30+ guys in camp, we've talked about this being an evaluation time as well as an ability to build our fitness base and technique. When we start cutting down the numbers, that's when we'll hit the tactics of how we're going to play heavily and start getting more of an idea about our starting lineup. That should take place during the second trip to Arizona.

All the rookies have adjusted pretty well. The first week with the testing they had some nervous energy. Each session was an exciting one for them, but I think they've calmed down a little bit. I think all of our draft picks have made a case for themselves to be a part of the next phase of training. I'm sure a lot of people are excited about Teal. From a coaching staff we are trying to keep it in perspective, but he certainly brings a lot of attractive qualities to the group. With his size and the speed that he has, it's a nice, raw talent to work with. He's lived up to being a first-round pick so far. We can't evaluate until the games start, but the first glimpse of him has been a good one.

We have 18 guys that weren't on the roster last year in camp with us. We've mixed up the room assignments to get the new guys integrated with the team. The rooming list puts a minimum of 4 guys in each suite, and a few have up to 8 guys. It's important for team chemistry to get everyone integrated with each other. This is also partially intended to keep our players from getting too comfortable. I don't think there's anyone that feels extremely comfortable, and I think that 's a good thing because that keeps them on their game.

Last night was Octavio's birthday. We went out to eat at a steakhouse. Octavio had a big steak to celebrate the occasion. His addition has really helped out our staff. We have four guys now with head coaching experience, so I think everybody within our group brings an important piece of the puzzle. It's certainly a unified staff and a good one to work with, with everyone working hard and being committed to getting the job done.

Stadium Update from Robb Heineman

Robb took some time out after this week's design meeting to update everyone on the construction and design processes taking place on the Stadium Complex at Village West. Watch, enjoy, and pass along to your friends:

Thoughts on Training from KZ

Training was good. After a pretty challenging day yesterday, we used the morning session to do a lot of technical work. Another perfect weather day. Kamara trained today and looks ready to go. He's fit and happy to be here. Auvray is doing an excellent job early on. He's a good pro. Ryan Smith is a good player. There's talent there.

The goalkeeper position is wide open. There's not really a #1 at the moment, so everyone in camp is eligible for the starting spot.

Reach 11 is a nice complex. There are 8 fields right next to each other, and the fields are very good. It's about 15 minutes away from the team hotel.

Adam Cristman to DCU

 

A picture of Mr. Cristman during his first training with KC last January.

Greetings all. We have traded striker Adam Cristman to D.C. United in exchange for an international roster spot for two seasons. We acquired Adam from New England the day before Seattle's expansion draft, but injuries limited his production last year to five games (three starts). He is a Virginia native (and attended UVA), so this is a homecoming of sorts. Good luck to Adam. We thank him for his hard work while in Kansas City and his contributions to the community while he was here.

2010 MLS Schedule Announced

The 2010 MLS schedule is out, the guide by which Wizards fanaticos will plan trips, tailgates and other events from March through November. This season, each MLS team plays every other team once at home and once away for a completely balanced schedule.View our full schedule. View the full MLS schedule.

As you already know, we open the season with D.C. United at home March 27 at 7:30 p.m. CT. We are then off the following weekend before hosting** the Colorado Rapids at 7:30 p.m. CT Saturday, April 10. One of the highlights of the schedule is a home match Thursday, June 10 against expansion club Philadelphia Union. We are one of only two matches played in MLS the night before the first FIFA World Cup match between Mexico and South Africa. It's going to be a great way to start the WC break.

We have 13 Saturday-night home games, one Thursday night match (the Philly game just before the World Cup) and one Sunday match (5-23 vs Columbus at 3 p.m. CT).

TV schedule will be announced at a later date, besides our three National TV appearances. They are:

Saturday, May 1 at Houston on FSC/FSE

Wednesday, May 5 at D.C. United on ESPN2/ESPN Deportes

Saturday, May 15 vs. Chicago on FSC/FSE

Tell us your thoughts on the schedule in the comments section below.