Spring Showcase Quick Facts

• 258 games completed over 5 days
• 4,000 players competed
• 118 referees
• 300 college coaches attended the matches (we probably had 30+at each match)
  
• Competition took place on 20 different fields
• Every player participated in the Nike SPARQ testing and
• Gatorade Fluid lost test-they weigh in the players before and after a match (U18s Michael Oakley lost 10lbs. in one 90min match...INCREDIBLE)
• Our very own Bob Gansler was there to scout games for USSF and to address the players who watched the US MNT match on May 29th in the players lounge

Summer Showcase-Sarasota FL

Last weekend, which was Memorial Day weekend, our U18s and U16s head to FL for their second showcase of the season. The games we play at the showcases count to our overall total, but they are all out of conference matches. Overall both teams "showed" quite well. The heat and humidity was unbelievable the entire time which made the last matches on Tuesday June 1st the toughest.

After a tough evening of travel on Friday, May 28th (arriving at the hotel at 12am) they had to wake up for games that started at 9am (U18s) and 11am (U16s) against Oakwood SC out of Conn. The U18s wons 2-1 and the U16s followed up by winning 3-0.

Saturday evening, after the matches and after the temp went down, they headed to beach for a quick swim and cool down. That evening was the start of various meeting that also took place at the Showcase. We learned that two new teams from Minnesota would be in our conference next year, that Chicago Teams would be leaving our conference and that next years Spring Showcase will be in Dallas among other rule changes and updates.

Sunday was a day off for our team except for a quick trip to the field for Nike SPARQ testing. Which was only an hour, but is was at 8:30am. The boys tested well and had the rest of the day to rest, hydrate and play video games.

On Monday, May 31st we played California Development academy at 1pm (U18s) and 3pm (U16s)...pretty much the hottest part of the day. The team again preformed well and the U18s came away with a victory 1-0 and the U16s tied 0-0. That evening we stayed close to the hotel and had dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, then head to bed early since there was early morning games.

On Tuesday both teams played at 9am against Baltimore Bays Chelsea and exhaustion really set in during the match. The U16s and the u18s both lost 1-3 and Baltimore had the day off before and was looking quite fresh (Lucky then)...buts lets not make excuses.

The U18s season is now over and the new season with new players will really get going after HS soccer is over. The U16s still have a small chance to make the tournament finals which would take place June 22- 26th in Greensboro NC. After this weekend we should know who is in and who is out.

KCW Juniors Try-Outs

Last week we had try-outs for our U18 and U16 teams at Swope Training Facility. It was a great turn out, which made picking the teams extremely difficult. We had over 90 players show up for the U16s and over 50 players for the U18s. These two teams will again participate in the US Soccer Federation Development Academy.

The 2010-2011 rosters are posted here. We are excited to start training with the new teams very soon. The next couple months will be a mix of time off, possibly a summer tournament and the start of high school season.

Juniors Find Success in Colorado

The U18s and U16s traveled to Denver last weekend and played Colorado Rapids both Saturday and Sunday.

U16s
The Saturday game (both game were v Colorado Rapids) we won 4-0, in 40 mph wind on 86 degree heat & high altitude.

The first goal was scored by Lucas Throckmorton. Austin Esparza had come off the field with a concussion & Lucas replaced him. Jordy croosed from the right hand side for Lucas to tap in from close range with his first touch of the ball. The other 3 goals came in the 2nd half. Garret crossed for Nate to score our 2nd. Then Jordy crossed for Lucas to score a great goal for the 3rd goal. The final goal of the game was a 35 yard shot from Jordy over the keeper's head.

Sunday game: we went 1 nil down after trying to clear the box in the box & they scored with a low range shot. We came back with an equalizer after Lucas & Jordy combined well again. Lucas repaying Jordy for the 2 assists yesterday gave him 2 assists on Sunday. Nice ball from Taylor Walter to Lucas & then he beat 3 players on the wide right & crossed a great ball in for Jordy to drill home. Ended up winning 2-1.

U18s
U18 Saturday game: 40 mph wind 2 subs only due to injury & graduations, U16 goalkeeper Evan Wright.First goal scored by Jordan Zarse. 2nd goal was a corner headed in stringly by Michael Oakley from the far post. 3rd goal was a 25 yard strike by Patrick Foglio & the 4th goal was crossed in from the right by Drew Garcia & went right over the keeper & into the top left corner. Won 4-2 a great win for the players & they played really well & deserved it!

Unfortunately the 18s lost 5-1 on Sunday. They worked so hard but with only 1 sub available due to Drew Garcia hurt, & with a u16 goalkeeper it proved too much. The boys struggled with the altitude & heat on Sunday, but had some good scoring opportunities towards the end. There were several changes from the team they had played the day before & beaten 4-2.

We will have the graduating boys back next week Fricke, Max & Eric plus the GK, Taylor Vinnage. Looks like Will can train this week too so all being well he can play some in Sarasota. They are exhausted but worked hard til the end!

KCW U16s Juniors defeat Chicago Fire Juniors

TRY-OUTS for U18 & U16 Teams

Who: Any male player with birth year of 1992-1995
U16: 1994 & 1995
U18: 1992 & 1993

What: KCW Juniors will be hosting tryouts for their U16 & U18 teams that will play in the US Soccer Development Academy

Tryouts: May 24th & 25th, 2010
U16: 5:00-6:30pm
U18: 7:00-8:30pm

Where: Swope Park Training Center (6310 Lewis Road; Kansas City, MO)

TO SIGN UP FOR U18 or U16 TRYOUTS, CLICK HERE»

Sign up for Camps, Receive Autographed Mini Ball

Ladies and gentlemen with boys or girls ages 7-12, want your child to learn soccer from the Wizards? Now is your chance! The next 15 people who sign up for the June 7-11 camp at our Swope Park Training Center will receive a special World Cup mini ball (pictured above) signed by the current three members of the organization who have played in the World Cup previously, Peter Vermes, Jimmy Conrad and Josh Wolff. Sign up here.