Jake and Jimmy vs Nate and Ryan

Yesterday, Jake Gutierrez (KC Soccer Show Host)  and Nate Bukaty (The Border Patrol) from 810 Radio got to have a little fun with Jimmy Nielsen and Ryan Smith. Jake was a pretty good goalie in college and still is (even though he may be a bit larger than his playing days).  Nate is an actual soccer fan and can play a bit also. You can see the video over at Hillcrest Road and judge for yourself who was the better of the two. I did want to post a quick photo or two.

Nate receiving some advice from Ryan Smith and Coach Vermes ...























Jake getting warmed up by Jimmy...

See the video

Byline 2 Backpost podcast - 5/19/2010

The latest podcast is now online. Mike and I talk about the previous game, the next game, All Star voting and more...


Get it from iTunes  - released on 5/19/2010

or

from here

Just because every post needs a photo (or 2)

Sunil Chhetri shooting in practice...

Jack Jewsbury diving header for a goal in practice...

Peter Vermes interview - 5/19/2010

Coach Vermes talks about the Chicago game, Jamar Beasley, the progress of Teal and Sunil...



Coach Vermes at practice in the rain...

Graham Zusi interview - 5/19/2010

Graham Zusi got his first start this year. Auvray has been injured and Zusi replaced him in the starting 11 against Chicago. Graham has looked very good in practice lately and was rewarded with a start.

Zusi talks about getting the start and the Chicago game...



Zusi started and played well against Chicago...

Jimmy Nielsen up for goal of the week (again) - Week 8

Jimmy Nielsen is up for save of the week again. Go vote for Jimmy (or your favorite save). Former Kansas City keeper Kevin Hartman is also nominated for save of the week.

 Don't forget Kei Kamara is a candidate for goal of the week.

Jimmy Nielsen saluting fans prior to the Colorado game...

US Youth Soccer National Championships at Overland Park Soccer Complex

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will be held at the Overland Park Soccer Complex July 20-25, 2010. The 60 best youth teams will be competing to win a National Championship.

The US Youth Soccer National Championships will consist of US Youth Soccer Regional Champions in the Under-14 through Under-19 Boys and Girls age groups as well as the US Youth Soccer National League qualifiers in the Under-15 through Under-17 Boys and Girls age groups to complete the field of 60 teams.

The U-19 boys will compete for the James P. McGuire Cup on national TV on Saturday the 24th. Fox Soccer Channel will televise the game. The U.S. Soccer Federation initiated the open youth championships in 1935 and the trophy was named after James P. McGuire in 1975. The McGuire cup is the oldest trophy in youth sport. The rest of the National Championship games will be played Satruday aftrenoon/evening or Sunday morning.

“We are honored to host the 2010 US Youth Soccer National Championships at the Overland Park Soccer Complex,” said Mayor Carl Gerlach. “Thanks to the dedicated effort of the Overland Park Convention & Visitors Bureau sales team and city staff members, we are able to host this showcase event that will have a great economic impact on the city, especially hotels and retail shops."

"Hosting the US Youth Soccer National Championships will be a wonderful opportunity for young players in the area to see some of the best teams in the country," said Alan Blinzler, president of the Kansas State Youth Soccer Association.  Kansas State Youth Soccer Association will serve as the local organizing committee for the event.


The United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the governing body of adult soccer in the U.S. has partnered with US Youth Soccer and they will be holding the U23 National Cup Finals July 23-25 as well. This adds an additional 16 mens and womens teams using the Overland Park Soccer Complex that week.
With the game between Manchester United and the Kansas City Wizards on the 25th, Kansas City will have the best youth soccer players in the country and some of the best professional soccer players in the world here at the same time. With the World Cup wrapping up 9 days earlier, it will be an exciting summer of soccer.

Todd Roby, Director of Communications with US Youth Soccer talking about the National Championship in Overland Park...


One of the fields at the Overland Park Soccer Complex...

Kei Kamara Goal of the Week candidate

Kei is up for goal of the week. Vote here.Winning goal of the week will help erase the memory of the famous missed shot.

Photo of Kei juggling the ball since every post needs a photo and I did not want to include the one of him missing the sitter...

Igor Kostrov waived

While it has not been officially announced yet, I have confirmed through multiple sources that Igor Kostrov has been waived. This is probably to make room for signing Jamar Beasley which has also not been announced yet. It also frees up a foreign player slot in case the Wizards want to use that for a DP signing in the summer transfer window.

Kostrov was one of two Moldovans that tried out for the team in spring training. Igor has not made it into any MLS games for the Wizards but he has played in many of the friendly scrimmages.. His ball handling skills were very good and he had a good shot but he never seemed to sync up with his team.

Good luck Igor...


After practices were over, Igor would often stay and shoot or dribble on his own. On the day this shot was taken, he had Horwath and Aiyegbusi work with him for close to an hour after practice. Playing to the wing, back in and shooting...