Kempin Signs Pro Deal

Today we announced a major first for our organization, the signing of goalkeeper Jon Kempin as our first Home Grown Player. Kempin, 17, goes to Blue Valley North High School and has been a member of the U16 and U18 USA National Teams over the past couple years. For some quotes from the presser, take a look at our Twitter page: http://www.Twitter.com/KCWizards.

Take a look at this video from April just before Kempin went on U18 duty:

U13s take to the FIELD

Dominick Parry dribbles the ball down the field while Absalon Solorio supports him

I "capped" FIELD because it wasn't any old field, it was the Seniors team's game field at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Our U13s were the half-time entertainment on August 21st during the Wizards vs Revs match (Sorry for the delayed post). The boys played each other in an 8min exhibition match. Although the 8mins seemed liked 30 seconds to the boys, they all came off the field with huge smiles and a good sweat. The boys seemed over joyed to have this opportunity and we of course were happy to show them off. This is one good team!

Our U15/14s were also in action that weekend against FC Porto of KS. We won the match 7-1 and was a good way to start the season. The U15/14s have about half the players playing HS ball and the other half playing with the Juniors in the Heartland League. In the Spring we will play MRL.

Both the U13s and U15/14s will be in action this Labor Day weekend playing in the Midwest Classic Tournament. All games will be played at the Overland Park soccer Complex and schedules can be found here for both teams.

Juniors with the First Team

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, three KCW Juniors players joined the first team for training. Defender Konner Knoll (from Wichita), goalkeeper Jonathan Kempin (US U-18 National Team) and striker Jordan Rideout (2010 U16 leading goal-scorer and son of Paul, former Wizards player) became the first Juniors players to get an extended look with the first team. Watch the video above to see what Peter Vermes thinks about having the young players get a look with the senior team and how the guys themselves thought the experience went.

Three Juniors Players TRAIN with the Senior team

Jordy Rideout gets interviewed after training with the Senior Team

Peter Vermes, head coach, invited three of the KCW Juniors U18 players to train with the senior team this week. The players are forward, Jordan Rideout, who scored 14goals this year in the USSF Development Academy. Defender, Konner Knoll who is a very physically strong; technically smart outside back. And lastly GK, Jon Kempin who is consistently ON and a real force in the net.

The boys seemed to mesh with the team and visibly fit in well. Jordy's quote after training was "that was hard and fast but a lot of fun." We will let you know how the next three days go....

This could be the start to our future; player that grow up in our system...a little HomeGrown Player action Love it!

Success at Denver Cup

What a weekend! Our two younger teams, U13s and U15s started training On August 2nd for the 2010-11 season. Then headed to Denver on on Thursday, August 5th to play in their first tournament of the season. We considered it part of "pre-season" training and a good way for all the boys to get to know each other. We didn't realize how quickly everything would CLICK as we brought two new coaches into the mix of 20+ new players.

The Tournament was hosted by Colorado Rush and was played at Dick's Sporting Goods Soccer Complex. Both teams played five matches and they both made it into the final.
The U13s beat Real Colorado, Pike Peak Rush, and a couple others before losing in a PK Shootout in the final against Fort Collins Arsenal. After regulation time the score was 0-0. After the first round of PK's we unfortunately missed one and lost 4-5. The U15s were on fire right from the beginning beat teams 7-2 and 13-0. They won the final 3-2 against Colorado Rush.

Both teams bonded quickly, had an entertaining pool workout (see below), attended the Rapids match (purchased vuvzelas) and overall had a great weekend. Congrats to Dustin Ottesen our new U13s coach and Edmond Rugova our new U15s coach. Bios will be coming shortly!