Tag Archives: Hillcrest Road

KC Wizards Will Be Moving Dirt in Kansas

Posted on by

Stadium Shirt PicFrom the Hillcrest Road website comes news that OnGoal CEO/Wizards President Robb Heineman has an update on the progress of our stadium project.

Mike over at Down the Byline does a great job of summarizing the details of the announcement:

The big news is that Heineman states that the team will be permanently staying out at the Village West area. This hopefully ends all the speculation of where the Wizards stadium site would go, whether in Missouri or in Kansas. He also states that we’re likely going to start seeing dirt moved out at the site starting next week.

Between now and March 1st, Heineman says the Wizards will be working on; finalizing stadium design, get renderings out sooner than later, signing the formal agreements (including those signed by the Unified Government, the state, and Cerner), and start getting the stadium up. The big thing, he says, is the selling of the STAR Bonds that needs to occur between now and March 1st.

He also talks about the final step with the stadium, the marketing the team and the brand of the Wizards. Heineman calls it a “first chance to make a second impression to all of you”. Something that many fans will find appealing. Some fans I’ve talked to have felt that OnGoal has dropped the ball in some areas of marketing the team. Hopefully this will be a new beginning in the look of the Wizards.

A formal announcement should be coming in January Heineman says.

US Men’s National Team Faces Mexico Wednesday

Posted on by

Jack Jewsbury continues his training with the National team, and you can catch him in this video. As Hillcrest Road notes, he appears to be playing mostly as a right back. I haven’t chatted with Jack since he left for Camp but his versatility is a well-documented strength and if it get’s him on the pitch against Mexico… And if he doesn’t, my call is that its been a great opportunity, despite what some Wizards prognosticators think. He’s already one of the most experienced players on the Wizards, he’s developing against the best in the US and the kids are getting playing time while he’s out. He’ll come back more prepared to lead then ever.

OK, so enough of the soapbox, let’s look to Wednesday. We had two dozen out for a friendly against Sweden, how many people do you think we can get out for a viewing party at Coester’s for a World Cup qualifying match against Mexico?

U.S. Men vs. Mexico — 6:00 PM on ESPN2 HD from Columbus Crew Stadium

As befits one of the biggest rivalries in the Western Hemisphere, the USA-Mexico showdown on Feb. 11 will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN2 HD as part of ESPN’s Rivalry Week, the second such stint in consecutive years for the marquee matchup. Last year, the encounter lived up to its billing in Rivalry Week as the teams produced a thrilling 2-2 draw on Feb. 6 at Houston’s Reliant Stadium. The USA’s most anticipated match of the Final Round of qualifying will also get top billing live on Univision and the Futbol de Primera Radio Network.

Will you be there to cheer on the boys?

Jack Jewsbury, KC Wizards, Interviewed By American Soccer Daily

Posted on by


Part 2 of the interview

Andrew Weibe, a KU student and contributor to American Soccer Daily, hooked up with Jimmy Conrad and Jack Jewsbury to cover a wide range of topics. Hat tip to Hillcrest Road.

After enjoying this, consider downloading SGFsoccer.com The Magazine which features Jack on the cover and my interview and background feature with him.

The boys are in Toronto for a game tonight that is being broadcast on Direct Kick.

Investing In Soccer

Posted on by

The Carl Junction Bulldogs have just completed installation of an artificial surface field.

Workers completed most of the installation of synthetic turf at Bulldog Stadium this week. Though portions behind the end zone for track activities need to be finished, the field portion is completed and ready for football and soccer.

The UMKC Kangaroo’s, a Division I program in Kansas City, is adding women’s soccer in 2009. They are also building a $9 million dollar soccer complex!

The Stanley H. Durwood stadium is expected to be completed in time for the inaugural season of the UMKC women’s soccer team in 2009. Completion of the entire complex is anticipated by spring 2010. It will include the stadium, a premier four-lane track and a concession area. Offices and locker rooms will be built to house the men’s and women’s soccer teams, softball and men’s and women’s track and field.

The KC Wizards continue to move forward on their plans for a permanent home in 2010. They hinted at recent progress on the Hillcrest Road blog (named for the new stadium location) and Swope Park, their training facility, should have an artificial surface shortly. UPDATE – Down The Byline provides some deep background.