It appears that there is one less soccer team in the KC metro area. Today, the United Soccer League released the schedule for their Premier Development League season. One name absent from the list for the first time since 1997 is the Kansas City Brass.
There'd been rumors towards the end of last year that the Brass would not be returning in the 2014 season. At the time I was skeptical of it, because I'd been lulled into assuming they'd always just be there. With them not appearing on the schedule this year I can assume that they'll join the long list of clubs that have folded in the PDL's history.
Throughout their history, the Brass had rarely been a force in the PDL, only once, in 1998 making the playoffs, and just twice qualifying for the US Open Cup (1998 and 2007) losing both of those games. The club's record all time is below .500, at 89-148-26. Only twice in their history have they finished with a winning record. They have produced a number of professional players, most of which have spent time with the Wizards/Sporting KC. The likes of Ryan Raybould, Will John, Kevin Ellis, and Michael Thomas have all played with the Brass in their career. All KC locals who if the academy had been around at the time would have likely been in KC's academy (save Ellis who was an SKC academy product).
It's a blow for development of players locally in Kansas City. The metro now becomes just the second city with an MLS team but no PDL team, the other is Columbus. I'm counting Provo as a pseudo suburb of Salt Lake.
Now true there are areas nearby for players to play, the likes of Des Moines, Springfield, and St. Louis are all in the Heartland Conference that the Brass played in. But the fact that there won't be a local team in KC is a blow to area KC players and development. Specifically the reason for that has to do with Sporting KC's academy program and producing pro players. Because as I mentioned above, a number of future professionals that grew up in KC played for the Brass at one time or another.
I mentioned, just over two years ago how a number of MLS teams had U23 teams playing in the PDL and how a team could use that as a way to help keep players home grown eligible. Since that post, both San Jose and Montreal are adding PDL teams, and another one (New York) in the NPSL. Then there are the likes of Philadelphia who have a set affiliation with Reading United. It's a development aspect that is lacking in Sporting's development model. They have the academy that has produced the likes of Jon Kempin and Erik Palmer-Brown and they are the reigning MLS Cup champs. But they don't have anything really to fill the gap between players playing in their academy system and playing for the first team. A PDL team with SKC coaches involved would count towards that players availability to eventually be selected as a home grown player for Sporting KC.
In that article a few years ago I mentioned that Sporting should consider buying the Brass's PDL rights as a way to help fill that gap. With the Brass gone, maybe Sporting now comes in and just gets their own franchise into the league. The new stadium at the Swope Park Soccer Village would be the perfect place for a PDL team to play in KC. It's not too large and would create a good environment right in the shadows of where the first team practices. Whether Sporting sees the benefit of it or not is another question.
Showing posts with label KC Brass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label KC Brass. Show all posts
Friday, January 31, 2014
Tuesday, December 04, 2012
Soccer City KC. Can KC Support Soccer 5 Teams?
Starting next year in Kansas City, there will now be 5 professional and semi-professional teams playing in the metropolitan area. While across the state of Missouri, St. Louis is considered one of the hot beds of soccer and Portland has the nickname of Soccer City USA, Kansas City is making a name for themselves as well in the soccer community. Next year, in Kansas City, soccer fans will get to choose from the existing Sporting KC, Missouri Comets, and KC Brass along with new comers FC Kansas City and the Kansas City Shock.
As you can see that's a lot of soccer to support, and the question is whether KC can support all those teams or not. Of the existing teams, all 3 would on the surface appear to be able to survive. Sporting KC is probably the safest of all 5 of the teams, with Livestrong Sporting Park existing and it being a facility where Sporting can control the revenue. They're also the best attended of the existing teams, averaging 19,404 in the 2012 season.
The Comets would likely be considered safe as well heading into this year, mainly because they're in the market all by themselves during the majority of their season as the other four teams play a spring/fall schedule. The Comets are also doing a good job of filling the Independence Events Center, which at this time is the perfect size for the indoor game. Last year, the Comets finished 3rd in attendance in the league, averaging 4,092 per game in the 5,800 seat IEC. Last year the Comets had to go head to head with another indoor team, the PASL Kansas Magic, who folded after one season last year.
Of the existing teams in Kansas City, the third team, the KC Brass is the second oldest existing team in KC, starting a year after Sporting KC started as the KC Wiz. They also had the lowest attendance of the teams. In their 7 games that attendance was reported last year, the Brass averaged 340 per game at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. At the facility the Brass though don't charge for attendance, so there's no revenue coming in from ticket sales for the Brass. In their history they've played on both sides of the state line and north and south sides of the city, moving from BVDAC to William Jewell and into the OP Soccer Complex. Really though attendance isn't that big of a deal for the Brass, the non-profit that owns the club is they're mainly to help develop players for the pro game and seem content at this time to continue doing that.
From there we have the two new women's team. First, the "oldest" of the two teams, the KC Shock. The Shock are setting themselves to be the same type of team that the Brass, looking to develop local players to contribute at the next level. At this time the Shock haven't finalized a venue yet.
The final team is the women's professional team, FC Kansas City, owned by the same owners as the Missouri Comets. Like the Shock, the Blues are entering their first season and as yet, KC has not announced their venue yet. They've got their list limited down, and are looking for a site that will allow them at least 5,000. Livestrong is apparently still one of the options for them to play in. They have the backing of US Soccer as well as the Canadian and Mexican federations as those three federations will be providing the funding for a number of players on the roster, which will certainly help with the team's bottom line and the cost of player salaries.
As a whole I think that Sporting and the Brass are on solid footing. I think the fate of the Comets and FC Kansas City will be tied together with the two teams being owned by the same group. Not that it will happen, but there could be a potential situation similar to St. Louis where one team gets sacrificed for the survival of the other, or both end up in financial trouble.
I like the guys that are doing the set up for the Shock, but I do wonder if they might be the "low man on the totem pole." They were unlucky with the establishment of their club a few months before a professional women's team was announced for the city as well. They're doing a good job on the social media scene, but they'll be battling to establish their place in a market while at the same time having to "fight" with a team that has the backing of US Soccer, that's going to be a tough task to face.
Overall, it's going to be a full summer when it comes to soccer with 4 teams playing in Kansas City. That's certainly going to stretch the entertainment dollars (not just ticket prices but gas, concessions, etc.) of soccer fans in the city. Each team finding their niche is what is going to be key for all 5 teams to survive here. If one fails to find it's own niche it's not going to survive long with all the other soccer options around at this time.
As you can see that's a lot of soccer to support, and the question is whether KC can support all those teams or not. Of the existing teams, all 3 would on the surface appear to be able to survive. Sporting KC is probably the safest of all 5 of the teams, with Livestrong Sporting Park existing and it being a facility where Sporting can control the revenue. They're also the best attended of the existing teams, averaging 19,404 in the 2012 season.
The Comets would likely be considered safe as well heading into this year, mainly because they're in the market all by themselves during the majority of their season as the other four teams play a spring/fall schedule. The Comets are also doing a good job of filling the Independence Events Center, which at this time is the perfect size for the indoor game. Last year, the Comets finished 3rd in attendance in the league, averaging 4,092 per game in the 5,800 seat IEC. Last year the Comets had to go head to head with another indoor team, the PASL Kansas Magic, who folded after one season last year.
Of the existing teams in Kansas City, the third team, the KC Brass is the second oldest existing team in KC, starting a year after Sporting KC started as the KC Wiz. They also had the lowest attendance of the teams. In their 7 games that attendance was reported last year, the Brass averaged 340 per game at the Overland Park Soccer Complex. At the facility the Brass though don't charge for attendance, so there's no revenue coming in from ticket sales for the Brass. In their history they've played on both sides of the state line and north and south sides of the city, moving from BVDAC to William Jewell and into the OP Soccer Complex. Really though attendance isn't that big of a deal for the Brass, the non-profit that owns the club is they're mainly to help develop players for the pro game and seem content at this time to continue doing that.
From there we have the two new women's team. First, the "oldest" of the two teams, the KC Shock. The Shock are setting themselves to be the same type of team that the Brass, looking to develop local players to contribute at the next level. At this time the Shock haven't finalized a venue yet.
The final team is the women's professional team, FC Kansas City, owned by the same owners as the Missouri Comets. Like the Shock, the Blues are entering their first season and as yet, KC has not announced their venue yet. They've got their list limited down, and are looking for a site that will allow them at least 5,000. Livestrong is apparently still one of the options for them to play in. They have the backing of US Soccer as well as the Canadian and Mexican federations as those three federations will be providing the funding for a number of players on the roster, which will certainly help with the team's bottom line and the cost of player salaries.
As a whole I think that Sporting and the Brass are on solid footing. I think the fate of the Comets and FC Kansas City will be tied together with the two teams being owned by the same group. Not that it will happen, but there could be a potential situation similar to St. Louis where one team gets sacrificed for the survival of the other, or both end up in financial trouble.
I like the guys that are doing the set up for the Shock, but I do wonder if they might be the "low man on the totem pole." They were unlucky with the establishment of their club a few months before a professional women's team was announced for the city as well. They're doing a good job on the social media scene, but they'll be battling to establish their place in a market while at the same time having to "fight" with a team that has the backing of US Soccer, that's going to be a tough task to face.
Overall, it's going to be a full summer when it comes to soccer with 4 teams playing in Kansas City. That's certainly going to stretch the entertainment dollars (not just ticket prices but gas, concessions, etc.) of soccer fans in the city. Each team finding their niche is what is going to be key for all 5 teams to survive here. If one fails to find it's own niche it's not going to survive long with all the other soccer options around at this time.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Potential Opponent for Sporting KC Announces (and Other News)
Today, US Soccer announced the potential 4th round match ups and hosts for the US Open Cup. Should Kansas City make their way past Orlando next Tuesday at Livestrong Sporting Park, KC will get the chance to stay at home. KC will stay at Livestrong Sporting Park for the potential 4th round match up on June 5th. A win over Orlando will see KC take on the winner of the Tampa Bay Rowdies and Colorado Rapids match. The Rowdies and Rapids meet at Al Lang Stadium in Tampa next Tuesday in their US Open Cup match.
In other Sporting KC news, the Swope Park Rangers took to the field today against the local PDL side, the KC Brass. The Rangers got first half goals from Luke Sassano and Soony Saad as the Rangers held the half time lead. In the second half, Dom Dwyer scored twice as the Rangers comfortably won the game against the Brass. A nice warm up for many of the players who are likely to see some time coming up next Tuesday against Orlando City in the Open Cup.
In other Sporting KC news, the Swope Park Rangers took to the field today against the local PDL side, the KC Brass. The Rangers got first half goals from Luke Sassano and Soony Saad as the Rangers held the half time lead. In the second half, Dom Dwyer scored twice as the Rangers comfortably won the game against the Brass. A nice warm up for many of the players who are likely to see some time coming up next Tuesday against Orlando City in the Open Cup.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sporting KC and the PDL
Tonight I was watching Metro Sports Zone on Metro Sports, watching a feature that was being done on Kyle Miller and Matt Kuhn and their attempts to become the 5th and 6th local players on Sporting KC's current roster. It struck a thought in my head that I'd been thinking about yesterday after an announcement from the Seattle Sounders. Yesterday, the Seattle Sounders announced that they'd reached a partnership with the Tacoma Tide that sees the Tide become the Sounders FC U-23.
The Sounders become the 5th MLS team to get a team in the PDL, joining Chicago, Portland, Vancouver, and DC. Orlando City of the USL-Pro division also has a U-23 team in the PDL. The idea of a PDL team I think is a really good idea for MLS sides. Especially with the academies becoming more and more important. Players that played in the academy but aren't quite ready to make the jump up to the first team could play on the PDL team while in college to improve their play and potentially be a later academy signing similar to Kevin Ellis, who was signed after 2 years at Barton Community College. A place for those guys to play is certainly a good thing, especially if the players know there is a linked connection between the PDL team and the MLS squad.
Some people will say that the idea of having a PDL team hasn't worked out too well for the Fire though. There were 11 players from the Chicago Fire Premier that were selected in the MLS SuperDraft in Kansas City, and the Fire didn't get the rights to those players. The main reason for that was because academy signing requirements require the player to have to have been in the academy before they enter college. Most of the Fire Premier players only joined the team AFTER they entered college, hence why they couldn't be signed by the Fire. But I think we're going to see more and more players that attend college for a year or two and continue to play with their MLS academy teammates in the summer with the teams U23 teams in the PDL.
Kansas City does have a local PDL team themselves, the Kansas City Brass. The Brass have been around since 1997, one year less than Sporting KC has been. The Brass and the Wizards have a good working relationship, the team has drafted a lot of players that have spent time with the Brass while they were in college. In fact, the past two coaches for the Brass, Jefferson and Lincoln Roblee have both assisted Peter Vermes and the Sporting KC staff at times, including during the open tryouts the past few years. The two teams also play quite often during the summer as a way for some of the reserves a chance to play.
So it's not like the two teams are at odds with each other, they have a very good working relationship. But there is something to be said about making it an official relationship between the two teams, to give a good continued path from the Juniors to the first team with a stop in between for those that may not be quite ready to step from the Juniors directly to the first team. I've seen lots of local KC players go to places like Des Moines for the summer to play with the Menace instead of staying in KC. The goal should be to keep all the best KC players, especially those tied in with the Juniors academy in town where they can be watched and coached by the Sporting KC staff.
The Sounders become the 5th MLS team to get a team in the PDL, joining Chicago, Portland, Vancouver, and DC. Orlando City of the USL-Pro division also has a U-23 team in the PDL. The idea of a PDL team I think is a really good idea for MLS sides. Especially with the academies becoming more and more important. Players that played in the academy but aren't quite ready to make the jump up to the first team could play on the PDL team while in college to improve their play and potentially be a later academy signing similar to Kevin Ellis, who was signed after 2 years at Barton Community College. A place for those guys to play is certainly a good thing, especially if the players know there is a linked connection between the PDL team and the MLS squad.
Some people will say that the idea of having a PDL team hasn't worked out too well for the Fire though. There were 11 players from the Chicago Fire Premier that were selected in the MLS SuperDraft in Kansas City, and the Fire didn't get the rights to those players. The main reason for that was because academy signing requirements require the player to have to have been in the academy before they enter college. Most of the Fire Premier players only joined the team AFTER they entered college, hence why they couldn't be signed by the Fire. But I think we're going to see more and more players that attend college for a year or two and continue to play with their MLS academy teammates in the summer with the teams U23 teams in the PDL.
Kansas City does have a local PDL team themselves, the Kansas City Brass. The Brass have been around since 1997, one year less than Sporting KC has been. The Brass and the Wizards have a good working relationship, the team has drafted a lot of players that have spent time with the Brass while they were in college. In fact, the past two coaches for the Brass, Jefferson and Lincoln Roblee have both assisted Peter Vermes and the Sporting KC staff at times, including during the open tryouts the past few years. The two teams also play quite often during the summer as a way for some of the reserves a chance to play.
So it's not like the two teams are at odds with each other, they have a very good working relationship. But there is something to be said about making it an official relationship between the two teams, to give a good continued path from the Juniors to the first team with a stop in between for those that may not be quite ready to step from the Juniors directly to the first team. I've seen lots of local KC players go to places like Des Moines for the summer to play with the Menace instead of staying in KC. The goal should be to keep all the best KC players, especially those tied in with the Juniors academy in town where they can be watched and coached by the Sporting KC staff.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Rangers Fall to Brass
In the first preseason game of the season for the Swope Park Rangers, the SKC reserves fell 3-2 to the KC Brass, the local PDL side. The big attraction of the game was the inclusion of trialist Chad Ochocinco in the game. Ochocinco came on as a substitute in the second 30 minute session and then played the entire third session for the Rangers. Twice the Rangers rallied from a goal down to equalize, but each time the Brass came back to retake the lead. The Brass scored twice in the first session. After the first goal by the Brass, the Rangers found an equalizer through a Kevin Ellis diving header. Shortly after Ellis' goal though the Brass would retake the lead. In the third session, the Rangers finally grabbed an equalizer again, this time through Juniors player, Derek Schrick. Schrick was one of six Juniors players to participate in the game. Also competing today was MISL MVP and Missouri Comets' player, Byron Alvarez who is on trial with Sporting KC after a good season indoors.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Quick News Bits
Some quick news before I head out to catch the bus.
Chad Ochocinco's trial with Sporting KC has been extended by 2 days to Monday. This is to give KC to get a look at him in a reserve game, as Monday the Rangers take on the Kansas City Brass. This is the first reserve game of the season since the league started. I'm sure this will be the first of a few against the local PDL side this season. It'll be interesting to see how the game goes and how Ochocinco does in more of a real game situation on Monday.
Robb Heineman gave us the latest little bit of news today as well with regards to a summer friendly. Heineman posted on Twitter that a summer game announcement will be coming on Monday. Could it be the long awaited friendly against Chivas Guadalajara? Or is it someone different? Both Everton and Ajax are both playing in the US this summer and have already scheduled some MLS teams. Or could it be someone else like a Manchester City, Tottenham, Sevilla, or other upper mid-tier team from Europe. Will be interesting to see who it is.
Chad Ochocinco's trial with Sporting KC has been extended by 2 days to Monday. This is to give KC to get a look at him in a reserve game, as Monday the Rangers take on the Kansas City Brass. This is the first reserve game of the season since the league started. I'm sure this will be the first of a few against the local PDL side this season. It'll be interesting to see how the game goes and how Ochocinco does in more of a real game situation on Monday.
Robb Heineman gave us the latest little bit of news today as well with regards to a summer friendly. Heineman posted on Twitter that a summer game announcement will be coming on Monday. Could it be the long awaited friendly against Chivas Guadalajara? Or is it someone different? Both Everton and Ajax are both playing in the US this summer and have already scheduled some MLS teams. Or could it be someone else like a Manchester City, Tottenham, Sevilla, or other upper mid-tier team from Europe. Will be interesting to see who it is.
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Rangers Top Brass
Quick post on this as there's not a lot of information, but the Swope Park Rangers defeated the KC Brass today out at the Swope Park training complex 5-1. The game was supposed to be at 5pm, but when I got to the Swope training facility a little after 6:30, the game was already over and appeared like it had been for a while. So it looks like it may have started earlier. From Tweets from the Wizards, Graham Zusi and an unnamed trailist had the first 3 goals for the Wizards. We'll hopefully find out soon who scored goals 4 and 5.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Rangers Top Brass
Today out at Swope Park, the Swope Park Rangers pulled out a 2-0 win over the KC Brass. Goals on either side of half time from Jamar Beasley and Sunil Chhetri helped the Wizards to the win over the local PDL side. Based off of what I was told the Rangers got the full 90 minutes today, with Josh Wolff being the only regular starter to play today. The team also included a few trialists as well. Beasley scored in the 20th minute on a breakaway, slotting the ball in the corner. The Brass created their own chances, hitting the bar and creating other chances against the Rangers. In the second half the Brass continued to press and take advantage of the Rangers "shaky" back line. Chhetri worked a good 1-2 with Chance Myers and scored his 8th goal in scrimmages that the Wizards have had against college and PDL teams. With the Wizards scoring chances you do have to question when and if Chhetri will get his chance with the first team soon.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Wizards Defeat Brass
Out at Swope Park today, the Wizards defeated the KC Brass 4-0. In the first half, it appeared that the Wizards played more of a first team lineup again as Kei Kamara and Josh Wolff got the goals in the first half. The Wizards apparently were the more aggressive side throughout the entire half. Wolff went close a couple times, as did Kamara and Graham Zusi. Kamara scored the first goal off of an assist from Wolff. Wolff doubled the lead later in the first half off an assist from Ryan Smith. In the second half it looks like the Rangers took the field, and it became the Sunil Chhetri show. Chhetri scored both the Wizards goals in the second half, giving the Wizards the 4-0 win over the local PDL side. He even did enough to impress James over at KCW Fans, who is finally starting to come around to the Indian.
Friday, August 07, 2009
Wizards Defeat Brass
The Wizards once again defeated Kansas City's PDL team, the Brass today at the Swope Park training complex 7-1. KC started their first game under Peter Vermes with what could potentially be a starting lineup against Chicago a week from Sunday.
Adam Cristman apparently missed the game due to being sick, while Davy Arnaud, Claudio Lopez, and Roger Espinoza are recovering from minor injuries. The Brass actually struck first, when Jimmy Conrad got shurgged off the ball and the Brass player scored past Kevin Hartman. Lance Watson was the one that found the equalizer for the Wizards soon after. Not long later, Matt Besler got in on the scoring, putting away a Herculez Gomez corner with his head. KC went into half time with that lead.
At half time, KC made full changes to the team, as the Swope Park Rangers took the field in the second half for the Wizards.
Abe Thompson opened up the scoring for the Wizards, making it 3-1, before Chance Myers scored on a diving header to make it 4-1. Defensive midfielder, Kurt Morsink made it 5-1 scoring from distance and Michael Kraus made it 6-1. Josh White and Eric Kronberg both entered the game to get some playing time as well, replacing Besler and Boris Pardo respectively. Thompson finished off the scoring late in the game as he stole the ball and placed it in the far post.
This is the last game the Wizards/Rangers will play against PDL opposition this year, as the players are all heading back for their college season soon. The Rangers, though, will be getting more games this fall against college teams again, as they did in the spring. They'll be playing Creighton on Monday August 24th.
Hartman
Watson - Conrad - Hohlbein - Besler
Hirsig
Harrington - Jewsbury - Gomez
Zoltan - Wolff
Watson - Conrad - Hohlbein - Besler
Hirsig
Harrington - Jewsbury - Gomez
Zoltan - Wolff
Adam Cristman apparently missed the game due to being sick, while Davy Arnaud, Claudio Lopez, and Roger Espinoza are recovering from minor injuries. The Brass actually struck first, when Jimmy Conrad got shurgged off the ball and the Brass player scored past Kevin Hartman. Lance Watson was the one that found the equalizer for the Wizards soon after. Not long later, Matt Besler got in on the scoring, putting away a Herculez Gomez corner with his head. KC went into half time with that lead.
At half time, KC made full changes to the team, as the Swope Park Rangers took the field in the second half for the Wizards.
Pardo
Leathers - Besler - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Myers - Zusi - trialist
Kraus - Thompson
Leathers - Besler - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Myers - Zusi - trialist
Kraus - Thompson
Abe Thompson opened up the scoring for the Wizards, making it 3-1, before Chance Myers scored on a diving header to make it 4-1. Defensive midfielder, Kurt Morsink made it 5-1 scoring from distance and Michael Kraus made it 6-1. Josh White and Eric Kronberg both entered the game to get some playing time as well, replacing Besler and Boris Pardo respectively. Thompson finished off the scoring late in the game as he stole the ball and placed it in the far post.
This is the last game the Wizards/Rangers will play against PDL opposition this year, as the players are all heading back for their college season soon. The Rangers, though, will be getting more games this fall against college teams again, as they did in the spring. They'll be playing Creighton on Monday August 24th.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Wizards Play Brass Friday
For those that want to see the Wizards first game under Peter Vermes, and don't have to work on Friday, head on over to the Swope Training Complex, where the Wizards will be taking on the KC Brass Friday morning at 10:30. Unfortunately due to my new job I won't be able to provide updates on the game via twitter as I have in the past. I'm sure Hillcrest will have a write up on the game of some sort.
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Reserves Beat Brass Again
The Swope Park Rangers won again today, defeating the KC Brass 6-0 today. The lineup today was made up of all the players that didn't start yesterday against the Crew along with a few guest players. Here's the way the Rangers lined up to start the game:
Both teams started off the game fairly even, with the game going back and forth. The best early chance fell to the Brass when they ended up hitting the post on one trip down the field. The Rangers also hit the post, as Abe Thompson tried to curl the ball into the far post, but it hit the cross bar and bounced out. The reserves finally broke through with Matt Marquess. Marquess worked the ball down the left, and played a ball into Michael Kraus. Kraus played the ball back to Marquess as he ran across the top of the box. Marquess' shot went into the far post to give the Rangers the lead. Marquess was involved in doubling the lead soon after. Marquess received the ball out wide on the left and played a ball into the box, where Kevin Souter ran onto the ball, beatting the keeper to the ball and making it 2-0. Right before halftime, Thompson got in alone in the box with the keeper. As Thompson tried to round the Brass keeper, Thompson was brought down, leading to a penalty kick. Thompson stepped up and put the PK away making it 3-0 at the half.
The second half saw the Rangers continue to dominate the game, but it took a little while into the second half before they added a fourth goal. The fourth goal came after a bit of a scramble in front of net. The ball was finally put away by Kraus. Marquess continued his good game by adding a second goal, and a 5th for the Rangers with a strike from about 30 yards after a partial clearance. Kurt Morsink finished off the scoring for the reserves with another strike from distance that he hit in off the post.
While the score doesn't show it, it was the best of the three performances I've seen the Brass play against the Rangers this season.
Pardo
Leathers - Josh White - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Harrington - Zusi - Souter
Thompson - Kraus
Leathers - Josh White - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Harrington - Zusi - Souter
Thompson - Kraus
Both teams started off the game fairly even, with the game going back and forth. The best early chance fell to the Brass when they ended up hitting the post on one trip down the field. The Rangers also hit the post, as Abe Thompson tried to curl the ball into the far post, but it hit the cross bar and bounced out. The reserves finally broke through with Matt Marquess. Marquess worked the ball down the left, and played a ball into Michael Kraus. Kraus played the ball back to Marquess as he ran across the top of the box. Marquess' shot went into the far post to give the Rangers the lead. Marquess was involved in doubling the lead soon after. Marquess received the ball out wide on the left and played a ball into the box, where Kevin Souter ran onto the ball, beatting the keeper to the ball and making it 2-0. Right before halftime, Thompson got in alone in the box with the keeper. As Thompson tried to round the Brass keeper, Thompson was brought down, leading to a penalty kick. Thompson stepped up and put the PK away making it 3-0 at the half.
The second half saw the Rangers continue to dominate the game, but it took a little while into the second half before they added a fourth goal. The fourth goal came after a bit of a scramble in front of net. The ball was finally put away by Kraus. Marquess continued his good game by adding a second goal, and a 5th for the Rangers with a strike from about 30 yards after a partial clearance. Kurt Morsink finished off the scoring for the reserves with another strike from distance that he hit in off the post.
While the score doesn't show it, it was the best of the three performances I've seen the Brass play against the Rangers this season.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Wizards Beat Brass Again
The Wizards once again took care of KC's PDL side, the Brass today out at the Swope Park training facility, 4-1. Unlike last week when the two teams played, the Wizards first team actually took part in part of the match, playing the first 45 minutes, with the reserves playing the second half. Here's the lineup for the Wizards in the first half.
The Wizards were the team with the better chances in the first half, but unlike the first time these two teams played, the Brass were able to attack more than they had previously. Still, it was the Wizards that found the break through, from Davy Arnaud. Arnaud received a through ball and was able to out run his defender and beat the Brass goalkeeper to the far post. KC continued to pressure the rest of the half, but the Brass' goalkeeper made some good saves on Claudio Lopez and Herculez Gomez to keep the game at 1-0.
Both teams made changes to their lineups to start the second half. The Wizards sub in the entire second team to play the second half, including red card recipiants, Josh Wolff and Santiago Hirsig. Here's how KC lined up in the second half.
The second half saw the Wizards control the game and create some good chances, and it was Graham Zusi who finally doubled KC's lead. He received a ball played back to him from Matt Marquess, and Zusi fired low inside the post to make it 2-0. The Wizards continued to push, and Josh Wolff could have made it 3, but his shot after a give and go with Zusi went just wide. Zusi almost got a second, but his shot hit the outside of the post. Finally, Wolff added the third, as Marquess worked with Roger Espinoza down the left, and then crossed in to a waiting Wolff, who was able to direct the ball into the net with his foot.
The Brass responded immediately though, as one of their players raced onto a long ball over the top. Boris Pardo came off his line, but missed on a slide tackle. The Brass player rounded Pardo and from the side of the box curled a shot in to make it 3-1. KC continued to pressure and regained the 3 goal lead through Wolff again. Michael Kraus and Abe Thompson worked a 1-2 down the right side. Kraus played a ball along the ground into the box where Wolff met it to make it 4-1. Still the Brass continued to push and had a deflected shot go off the post, but that was the best chance late for the Brass.
Hartman
Watson - Conrad - Hohlbein - Besler
Jewsbury
Harrington - Arnaud - Souter
Gomez - Lopez
Watson - Conrad - Hohlbein - Besler
Jewsbury
Harrington - Arnaud - Souter
Gomez - Lopez
The Wizards were the team with the better chances in the first half, but unlike the first time these two teams played, the Brass were able to attack more than they had previously. Still, it was the Wizards that found the break through, from Davy Arnaud. Arnaud received a through ball and was able to out run his defender and beat the Brass goalkeeper to the far post. KC continued to pressure the rest of the half, but the Brass' goalkeeper made some good saves on Claudio Lopez and Herculez Gomez to keep the game at 1-0.
Both teams made changes to their lineups to start the second half. The Wizards sub in the entire second team to play the second half, including red card recipiants, Josh Wolff and Santiago Hirsig. Here's how KC lined up in the second half.
Pardo
Kraus - Leathers - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Hirsig - Zusi - Espinoza
Thompson - Wolff
Kraus - Leathers - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Hirsig - Zusi - Espinoza
Thompson - Wolff
The second half saw the Wizards control the game and create some good chances, and it was Graham Zusi who finally doubled KC's lead. He received a ball played back to him from Matt Marquess, and Zusi fired low inside the post to make it 2-0. The Wizards continued to push, and Josh Wolff could have made it 3, but his shot after a give and go with Zusi went just wide. Zusi almost got a second, but his shot hit the outside of the post. Finally, Wolff added the third, as Marquess worked with Roger Espinoza down the left, and then crossed in to a waiting Wolff, who was able to direct the ball into the net with his foot.
The Brass responded immediately though, as one of their players raced onto a long ball over the top. Boris Pardo came off his line, but missed on a slide tackle. The Brass player rounded Pardo and from the side of the box curled a shot in to make it 3-1. KC continued to pressure and regained the 3 goal lead through Wolff again. Michael Kraus and Abe Thompson worked a 1-2 down the right side. Kraus played a ball along the ground into the box where Wolff met it to make it 4-1. Still the Brass continued to push and had a deflected shot go off the post, but that was the best chance late for the Brass.
Reserve Match Today
I found out this morning that the Swope Park Rangers will be taking on the KC Brass today out at the Swope Park training complex. Last time these two teams met, 9 days ago, the Rangers easily took care of their PDL counterparts, winning 7-0. I will be out at the training complex for the game and will be providing updates via twitter.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Reserves Take Care of the Brass
I found out about this game only yesterday, but the Swope Park Rangers took on KC's PDL team, the Brass today out at the Swope Park training complex. Here's the lineup that started the game.
The Rangers dominated the game from the start, but didn't create many good chances early. Once the Rangers got started, though, the flood gates opened. Herculez Gomez opened the scoring when he headed in a lofted cross from Michael Harrington. Gomez was on the back post and had all day to set himself and head the ball back into the far corner. Shortly after that goal the Rangers doubled the lead, again through Gomez. Kevin Souter sent a low cross through the box where Gomez ran onto the ball and easily beat the keeper to make it 2-0. After that goal the Rangers produced numerous other good chances, Gomez had a few chances to complete the natural hattrick, and Michael Kraus was foiled on a breakaway by the Brass keeper.
It wasn't long though before the Rangers made it 3. Abe Thompson sent a cross from the left corner into the box on the ground where Kraus out muscled his defender and was able to turn the ball into the net. Then right before half time, Matt Marquess made it 4-0 when he received a pass about 22 yards out from goal and let rip with a great shot that the keeper had no chance to stop.
In the second half the Rangers continued to dominate the game but once again it took them a little while to find the net. First, though, around the 55th minute, Harrington and Gomez both came out with guest player Josh White and second round draft pick, Doug DeMartin came into the game. The 5th goal came when the Brass failed to clear their end of the field. Souter, Thompson, DeMartin, and Morsink all had chances before the ball fell to Jonathan Leathers, who had his initial shot blocked. The shot went right back to Leathers who was able to place the ball into the corner to make it 5-0. It became 6 soon afterwards. Souter played another cross into the box where it was met by Kraus. Kraus headed the ball back across goal to Thompson who finished into the open net. Graham Zusi finished off the scoring when he worked a give-and-go with DeMartin at the top of the box and finished low to the keepers right.
The reserves could have made the score much worse with all the opportunities that they had, but didn't finish. DeMartin had a chance right at the end on another breakaway, but his last touch pushed the ball too far out in front of him. In the end, though, the Rangers took it to the PDL side exactly how you'd expect and hope they would to most of the college and PDL teams they play.
Pardo
Harrington - Leathers - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Souter - Zusi - Gomez
Kraus - Thompson
Harrington - Leathers - McKenzie - Marquess
Morsink
Souter - Zusi - Gomez
Kraus - Thompson
The Rangers dominated the game from the start, but didn't create many good chances early. Once the Rangers got started, though, the flood gates opened. Herculez Gomez opened the scoring when he headed in a lofted cross from Michael Harrington. Gomez was on the back post and had all day to set himself and head the ball back into the far corner. Shortly after that goal the Rangers doubled the lead, again through Gomez. Kevin Souter sent a low cross through the box where Gomez ran onto the ball and easily beat the keeper to make it 2-0. After that goal the Rangers produced numerous other good chances, Gomez had a few chances to complete the natural hattrick, and Michael Kraus was foiled on a breakaway by the Brass keeper.
It wasn't long though before the Rangers made it 3. Abe Thompson sent a cross from the left corner into the box on the ground where Kraus out muscled his defender and was able to turn the ball into the net. Then right before half time, Matt Marquess made it 4-0 when he received a pass about 22 yards out from goal and let rip with a great shot that the keeper had no chance to stop.
In the second half the Rangers continued to dominate the game but once again it took them a little while to find the net. First, though, around the 55th minute, Harrington and Gomez both came out with guest player Josh White and second round draft pick, Doug DeMartin came into the game. The 5th goal came when the Brass failed to clear their end of the field. Souter, Thompson, DeMartin, and Morsink all had chances before the ball fell to Jonathan Leathers, who had his initial shot blocked. The shot went right back to Leathers who was able to place the ball into the corner to make it 5-0. It became 6 soon afterwards. Souter played another cross into the box where it was met by Kraus. Kraus headed the ball back across goal to Thompson who finished into the open net. Graham Zusi finished off the scoring when he worked a give-and-go with DeMartin at the top of the box and finished low to the keepers right.
The reserves could have made the score much worse with all the opportunities that they had, but didn't finish. DeMartin had a chance right at the end on another breakaway, but his last touch pushed the ball too far out in front of him. In the end, though, the Rangers took it to the PDL side exactly how you'd expect and hope they would to most of the college and PDL teams they play.
Thursday, May 07, 2009
Brass Season Starts this Weekend
Kansas City's PDL team, the Brass, begin their season this weekend in Colorado with a pair of games against Real Colorado Foxes. The Brass' player pool roster is not out and as always, is full of players either playing college ball in KC or originally from KC now playing college somewhere else. The roster has 9 players that were on last season's KC Wizards Juniors U19 team that finished as runners up in the national finals. Also on the roster is another Juniors player as well as a player from the DC United youth system. The first home game of the season for the Brass is a week from Sunday, May 17th against the St. Louis Lions.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Guest Players in Iowa
The Wizards will have 4 guest players with the team this weekend when they go to Iowa to take on the Minnesota Thunder. Two of the players are coming from this past weekend's open tryouts. Chad Becker from Rockhurst and Austin Williams from William Jewell have been invited to come to the game. The other two are Josh White formerly of UMKC (who was likely the guy in the last picture on Thad's post from yesterday) and JD Warman, who has played with the KC Brass in the past. I'll be on the scene giving a running commentary tomorrow so I'll let you know how these guys look if they play.
Monday, June 09, 2008
The Youth
While the first team played in Salt Lake this past weekend, the Wizards Junior teams competed in the Kansas State Cup competition. Three of the Wizards four teams won the state cup title. The Wizards U-19 team had the easiest path, with only a three team group, the Juniors only had to win one match, which they did easily winning 9-0 over KC Comets Select.
The U-17 team was also the top seed in their age group and they used that seed to ride to the title, winning the championship game 2-1 over KCFC Athletics. The U-16 team was the second seed in their age group and advanced to the finals where they defeated the top seeded KCFC Strikers 5-0 in the championship to take home the title. The one Wizards Juniors that didn't win the title was the U-15 team, who fell in the semifinals to the eventual champions, BVSC Stars Cruz Azul 2-1.
Speaking of Wizards teams, the reserves played today against the KC Brass. The reserves came away with a 5-1 win over the PDL team. Ivan Trujillo got a brace, and Eloy Colombano, Sasha Victorine, and Michael Kraus got the other goals for the Wizards. For the Brass, Lucas Rodriguez, got their goal. Read the full write up on Hillcrest Road that I linked.
The U-17 team was also the top seed in their age group and they used that seed to ride to the title, winning the championship game 2-1 over KCFC Athletics. The U-16 team was the second seed in their age group and advanced to the finals where they defeated the top seeded KCFC Strikers 5-0 in the championship to take home the title. The one Wizards Juniors that didn't win the title was the U-15 team, who fell in the semifinals to the eventual champions, BVSC Stars Cruz Azul 2-1.
Speaking of Wizards teams, the reserves played today against the KC Brass. The reserves came away with a 5-1 win over the PDL team. Ivan Trujillo got a brace, and Eloy Colombano, Sasha Victorine, and Michael Kraus got the other goals for the Wizards. For the Brass, Lucas Rodriguez, got their goal. Read the full write up on Hillcrest Road that I linked.
Friday, May 09, 2008
Brass Season Kicks Off Sunday
The Kansas City Brass, KC's PDL team begins play this Sunday at 5 pm at William Jewell College. They'll be taking on their closest rival, the Des Moines Menace. Last year the Brass opened the season against the Menace and came back with a 3-1 win, that started an 11 game unbeaten streak.
Like last year, this game will double as a US Open Cup qualifier for both the Brass and the Menace. You can view their entire schedule here. Here's to another Brass win to start the season.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Post Season Awards for Brass Players
The season did not end as well for the KC Brass as they would have liked, but 3 Brass players earned post season awards for their play this season. The Brass started the season with 11 unbeaten, but after that, fell off the pace, and ended in 3rd only 1 point out of the PDL playoffs.
Defenders, Josh Howard and Josh White, as well as midfielder Keith Gorzcyca were named to the All-Central Conference team. Howard, a senior at William Jewell College in Liberty, also was named to the All-PDL team, one of three Central Conference players to be named to the team.
Congrats to all 3 of them on the accomplishments.
Defenders, Josh Howard and Josh White, as well as midfielder Keith Gorzcyca were named to the All-Central Conference team. Howard, a senior at William Jewell College in Liberty, also was named to the All-PDL team, one of three Central Conference players to be named to the team.
Congrats to all 3 of them on the accomplishments.
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