Slow to update on Chicago

AB scores the lone goal for us against Fire to win 1-0.

All-
So sorry it took me ages to write about last weekend, I just got caught up in ordering uniforms for next season and working on summer camp stuff....So here it goes:

For the third week in a row the Junior Academy teams are on the road. This week we're in Chicago to face division rival Chicago Magic (1-3-1) on Saturday and Chicago Fire (4-1-1) on Sunday. The U16s kicked up first and didn't not look great for the first half. They barely strung together more than 2+ passes and we went into half time 0-0 with Magic in complete control of the match thus far. After a few subs and a re-focused team the 2nd half was extremely different. We opened up scoring on a free kick that was taken by Derek Schrick and headed in by Konner Knoll. About 20mins later we were awarded a PK that was taken by Jordy Rideout. He followed his own shot and scored off the deflection. Final was 2-0

The U18 were and are down 5 players right now, everything from torn ACL to a broken foot. So with that said they had a tough weekend. During their match on Saturday, two players were red carded and the game was dominated by Magic. We did score one lone goal by Patrick Fogilo in the 27th min. The game ended with us losing 1-3 and with 8 field players.

Sunday's games were against the Chicago Fire Juniors. Both teams were very competitive and we went into half time with no score. A few minutes into second half AB scored the lone goal and won the game 1-0.

The U18s were not as lucky. With a smaller than usual roster due to red cards and injuries, we had a couple players from the U16s play with the older boys. The younger boys played their hearts out but Fire was just too tough. They scored two goals each half and the final score was 0-4...all FIRE.

This weekend (tomorrow) we play at home against St Louis Scott Gallagher MO. U18s kick off at 2pm and the U16s at 4pm. Come check it out!

A little Chicago and a little more Chicago

Emilio Quezada had a goal against Milwaukee FC


The DA Teams flew to Chicago last weekend to take on Sockers FC on Saturday and then bused to Milwaukee to take on FC Milwaukee and then we they actually are flying back to Chicago this weekend. Tomorrow they will play Chicago Magic and then Sunday they will take on the Juniors of Chicago Fire.

The U16's tied 1-1 against Sockers FC on April 17th. It was one of those games where you control about 80% of the match and leave frustrated and feeling like you lost even though you tied. Bot goals were scored in the second half. Our goal was nothing pretty, Nick Row following up a shot and his managed to get in the back of the net. We need to make sure and take advantage of the opportunities we get in front of the goal.

The U18s kicked off directly after with a depleted roster of only 13 players. They ended up losing a hard fought game 0-1 against Sockers FC. Both teams were evenly matched but Sockers managed to slip one in in the 44th minute right before half and the score remained the same.

On Sunday, April 18th the U16s took the field first vs Milwaukee FC. This game was more entertaining to watch and I am sure play since they didn't pack it like the Sockers did. It was evenly matched from the beginning with the scoring going back and forth. We got on the board first due to a great throw in by Eric Moore that was finished by AB. They tied it up about 15mins later and we went into half time 1-1. The second half opened with Milwaukee coming right at us and scoring off the kick off. Shortly after Moore's throw in assisted another goal that was finished by Emilio Quezada. The game ended 2-2

The U18s were feeling their depleted roster and started a bit rough and unfortunately things didn't really improve. Milwaukee was simply stronger and more organized and won the match 1-3. Our lone goal was scored in the 80th minute by Patrick Foglio.

The U16s overall record (in conference and out of conference games) is: 3-0-6
and the U18 is: 3-4-2.

Hopefully we have better results in Chicago this weekend.

Juniors Find Success vs Real Colorado

In fabulous conditions as far as the field and weather, the U16s kicked off at 9am on Saturday against Real Colorado. The team had a hard time finding their rhythm the first 10-15mins and Real was really taking it to them. The last 25mins of the first half the Juniors began to settle in to their game. Real did have a couple of chances and were dangerous right before half. Jon Kempin kept them in the game and the half ended at 0-0.

The momentum carried on into the second half and the boys looked sharp. The players kept their shape and were getting good balls served into our attacking third. Around the 60min three players were subed and provided the extra spark that the team needed. With only 10mins or so to go Taylor Walter served a great ball in that Andre Brown 'AB" got on the end of it which did not go in...but the rebound did which AB also hit from about 6yds out. The match ended in a win, 1-0.

U18 took the fields directly after had some good opportunities to go ahead in the first half with Patrick Foglio looking lively with several shots on goal, one good effort hitting the post. However, they got caught on the break and Real Colorado went ahead about half an hour into the game and the Wizards Juniors were 1 nil behind at half time.

However, they came out ready for action in the 2nd half with Brandon Fricke putting us ahead with a header from a set piece. Ten minutes into the 2nd half substitute Mbulunji Mhango came on and with his first touch of the game slotted home a close range shot, a rebound from an initial save from the Real Colorado goalkeeper to go 2-1 ahead. A minute into time added on, midfielder Nick Golden scored a cracker upper 90 shot from the edge of the box, for the game to finish with a 3-1 win.

Our team are headed to Detroit Michigan area to face Vardar and Derby County Wolves. Our U18 currently post a 3-2-2 in conference play and our U16 are 3-0-4 right now.

Tough Weekend at Home....

On Saturday March 13 in the rain & wind at the Overland Park Soccer Complex, the U18s took on FC Milwaukee. The squad was hit by injuries & illness and for both games this weekend they had to make do with only 3 outfield substitutes. It was a hard fought game, in poor weather conditions & neither team could find the net. FC Milwaukee had quite a few good opportunities especially in the 2nd half but failed to put their chances away & although the KC Wizards Juniors fought hard against a strong FC Milwaukee team, the game finished in a 0-0 tie.

The game on Sunday March 14 against Sockers FC had way more action with the Wizards going up by a goal from Patrick Foglio on the 41st minute. He beat the defender wide on the right & cut in & drilled home a low shot into the left hand corner. Rodney Mays had to go off injured from a groin strain and at half time we were 1-0 up. Without 3 key defenders, we struggled in the 2nd half & the Sockers FC scored about 6 minutes in equalizing from a free kick. The Sockers then went on to get a 2nd goal before we equalized with a powerful Michael Oakley header from a corner by Patrick Foglio. With a few minutes remaining, Sockers FC kept the pressure on & it paid off for them when they snatched a 3rd goal. Shortly thereafter, Patrick Foglio had a great left footed effort from 20 yards out that went inches over the crossbar. Unfortunately time ran out for the KC Wizards Juniors & the game finished with a disappointing 3-2 loss!

Tough weekend in St. Louis...

The U18 and U16 traveled to St. Louis last weekend to face off against Scott Gallagher Metro and Missouri and boy was it not rewarding...

U18's first match was a very back and forth against SLSG Missouri. They scored first and we came back to score on a PK after Patrick Foglio was blatantly taken down in the box after getting past their defense with his pace. Jordan Zarse stepped up to score the penalty for us. After going behind again in the second half Michael Oakley took a nasty kick in the face from a high kick, then got up from the injury and created the perfect cross for Alex Pilsl to drill home the equalizer in the last 5 minutes of the game. The game 2-2 in an evenly matched game.

On Sunday March 7, the team had a slow start to a game with a below par performance against SLSG Metro. The game was a very stop & start type game and we struggled to contain their forward line up in the first half leading to a goal from them on the 8th minute. In the 2nd half after GK Taylor Vinnage kept the Wizards in the game with several excellent saves, they went on to score putting the game at 2-0.
In the 68th minute, Will Witherspoon scored with a powerful header from a corner & despite looking lively for the rest of the game, we failed to equalize. A disappointing loss of 2-1.