Open Tryouts

Hey all, what a crazy week. I love it. As many of you have seen, we invited 60 players back for Day 2 of open tryouts. The quality of play on Day 1 was very high, and it will be even higher Day 2 as the cream begins to rise, as they say. Here's the complete list on kcwizards.com. Now for some interesting tidbits and pictures. Sorry if we leave anyone out, these are just things we noticed at a glance:

-Players hail from at least 8 different countries, including USA, Austria, Brazil, Mexico, Great Britain, France, Canada, Uganda.

-One player comes from the same school (Pasedena City College) as former Wizards forward Yura Movsisyan.

-One player hails from Springfield, MO, home of our own Jack Jewsbury and one from Springfield, NE. Both are goalkeepers.

-Jorge Flores has been called back. No, not the Jorge Flores who last year won the Sueno MLS open tryout and has since been named to the U.S. U-20 squad but a Jorge Flores nonetheless.

-Speaking of Jorge Flores, he and Mataho Huma are here from a California-based youth academy affiliated with Wizards partner Atlas AC.

-The oldest player left is Ebo Stephens of Gaithersburg, MD who is 28 years old (1/1/1980).

-The youngest player left is Ricardo Martinez of Springdale, AR who is 18 years old (11/17/1989).

-Youssouf Kante came up through the PSG youth system and last played at Dinamo Bucharesti.

-Three players remaining attended Park University in Parkville, MO.

-Matthew Hoff started for four years at Harvard (where he likely faced Wizards defender/midfielder Ryan Raybould at Yale).

-Several players play on the local semi-pro indoor team the Kansas City Kings.

-Alan Solis is a well-known player in local Hispanic soccer leagues.

I know I've missed some gems, but that's a start. Dig something up or catch a mistake? Post a comment.

Participants and fans alike enjoyed Saturday's Day 1 of open tryouts.