Season Tickets are Here!

I was a little worried whether the tickets would get here on time, but today on my front porch in a Priority Mail package, were this year's Wizards' season tickets. With it being only 3 days until the first game, I was ready to write a scathing write up about the lateness of the Wizards in getting the tickets out to Season Ticket Holders. Still, to an extent, I am upset that it took the Wizards this long to get the tickets out. Many of the teams have already sent their tickets out to fans, and sending them out the week of the first game is just begging for multiple fans to be calling the Wizards front office frantic wondering where their tickets are.

Overall, though, I'm happy with the look of this year's tickets. Not only did they come with my parking passes, they came with a folder with an electronic media guide and fact book, and while I'm a fan of the paper versions, this will still get plenty of use. Season Ticket Holders also got their membership card. Also included were pocket schedules, a pamphlet that has a picture of the stadium from the 3 Trails website and other bits of information on tickets, the 2008 season, and 2009 season.

As for the tickets, the Wizards did a cool think this year. While last year the team had put together a collage that spanned across tickets, this year the Wizards gave each ticket it's own theme. Each ticket has a picture representing the theme and included in the package was a sheet explaining each of the themes. Here is the list of the themes in order.

vs Toronto - OnGoal - The Wizards owners
vs San Jose - The Trails - The future home of the Wizards
vs New York - Human Tunnel - Prematch team walk out
vs DC - KCSoccerStore.com - Largest selection of Wizards merchandise
vs Chivas USA - MLS Cup 2000 - The Wizards first and only MLS Cup win
vs Columbus - World Cup Wizards - 19 current or former Wizards have been in the World Cup
vs New England - KC Soccer Foundation - Charitable arm of the Wizards and OnGoal
vs Houston - National Team Wizards - 27 current or former Wizards have represented the full US national team
vs LA - Starting XI Girls - The Wizards dancers/hospitality girls
vs Chicago - Swope Park Training Facility - The Wizards home facility
vs Salt Lake - Boot Room - "A symbol of the professional atmosphere encouraged within the training facility."
vs Dallas - Lamar Hunt - Wizards founder and first owner
vs Colorado - KCW Juniors - The Wizards youth system has so far been successful locally and some national success as well.
vs Seattle - Hillcrest Road - The Wizards official blog
vs DC - Cauldron - Home to the Wizards supporter's section.
Special Game A - KC Soccer History - Celebrating the history of the Comets, Attack, and Spurs, the city's previous pro soccer teams.
Special Game B - MLS History - The league enters it's 14th season.
Special Game C - Wizards History - History of the boys in blue.

Changes to the Starting XI Girls

Thanks to AG over at the KC Soccer Review for posting this link today about the Wizards' Starting XI Girls. If the link is true, it looks like we'll be seeing some changes to the Starting XI Girls. Instead of just being a hospitality group, the girls will also be a dance team. There will be 16 girls on this years team, 11 will be dances and the other 5 will be involved in hospitality. It also looks like we'll be seeing some of the old Brigade girls come out for the Wizards, as the group is under the direction of a former Brigade girl.

I'm a little disappointed in this move by the team if true. Part of the reason why is because honestly, I have friends that were Starting XI Girls last year, and not only were they good at it, but they are soccer fans too, which is something that helped make them better at their job. The other reason, is because I had hoped the Wizards had moved past the "need" for a dance team at games. I don't really think there's a need for a dance team at a soccer game. They perform at half time and maybe once before the game, but other than that what else would they do during the game? Last time the team had a dance team, they danced along to the in house music that was pumped over the speakers at Arrowhead during the game. And this better not mean a return to that, or else it is a HUGE step back for this team. Yes they provide eye candy for all the guys in attendance, but the original Starting XI Girls provided that and they didn't have dances at half time with horrible remixes and dance music.

Something to Laugh About

The Wizards gave you something to laugh about today on their team blog, Hillcrest Road. They have posted 3 videos of the team spoofing 80's movies with members of the Starting XI Girls. They spoof Say Anything, 16 Candles, and Top Gun. Enjoy a laugh to end your day.