2008 Kansas City Wizards season

The 2008 Kansas City Wizards season was the first season played at the temporary home Community America Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas.

Kansas City Wizards
2008 season
ManagerCurt Onalfo
Major League SoccerEast: 4th
Overall: 6th
USOCQuarterfinals
PlayoffsConference Semifinals
Top goalscorerLeague: Davy Arnaud (7)
All: Davy Arnaud (8)
Highest home attendance26,113
Average home league attendance10,686
Main article: Kansas City Wizards seasons

Team News

The Wizards have been seeking sites for a soccer-specific stadium, initially targeting possible locations in Johnson County, Kansas. The Wizards' new ownership identified a site at 159th Street and U.S. Route 69 in south Overland Park, Kansas as its preferred location for a stadium, but this plan was met with numerous difficulties, namely the decision of the town's mayor to pull his support for the financing of the stadium after a vote had failed to secure money for the building of youth fields at the same site.[1]

Due to renovations of Arrowhead Stadium, the Wizards were expected to play at a temporary stadium beginning in 2007, while planning and awaiting the construction of a new facility. Yet on January 31, 2007, it was announced the Wizards would continue to play in Arrowhead in the 2007 season.[2]

The reasons given for the return to Arrowhead were the difficulties in expanding other facilities in the area (the KC Wizards played an exhibition in the beginning of the 2007 season at the District Activities Center owned and operated by the Blue Valley School District in Overland Park, Kansas) and the delay in the Arrowhead renovation plan.

On July 27, 2007, the Kansas City Star reported that Lane4 Property Group, a developer hired by the Wizards, was moving closer to making plans final for a massive redevelopment of now-vacant Bannister Mall that will probably include a new 18,500-seat stadium for the Wizards and 12 to 18 tournament soccer fields. Under Lane4's plan, the Bannister Mall and Benjamin Plaza shopping centers and the adjoining Benjamin Ranch property would be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use project with retail, office and residential components in addition to a possible Wizards stadium. According to MLS.net on December 14, 2007, the Wizards plans for a new stadium were approved by the Kansas City council. The current target date for completion of construction for a new facility has been stated as the beginning of the 2010 MLS season. Team owners are currently collaborating with architecture firm 360 Architecture on the design of the new stadium.

Matches

Saturn Cup

The senior team played its first competitive match of the 2008 campaign in Norman, Oklahoma at John Crain Field on the campus of the University of Oklahoma on March 22, 2008 as part of the Saturn Cup against Real Salt Lake. The Wizards took home the hardware with the only goal of the contest coming from the head of defender Jimmy Conrad off a Carlos Marinelli free kick. This marked the second time in club history that it won the Saturn Cup.

Kansas City Wizards1–0Real Salt Lake
Conrad  64' (report)
Joe Crain Field
Norman, Oklahoma

New Mexico Cup

2008 Colombian newcomer Iván Trujillo scored twice against CSD Municipal the defending Liga Nacional de Guatemala champions in Albuquerque, New Mexico while the Wizards defense held the Reds scoreless, 2-0. The New Mexico Cup was played at the University of New Mexico.

CSD Municipal0–2 Kansas City Wizards
(report) Trujillo  31'  37'

Notes

• Kansas City has now qualified for the playoffs in nine of their 13 seasons, both seasons since OnGoal bought the team in 2006.
• Kansas City finished the season 5-1-1 in their final seven matches, including a 3-0-0 record in their last three.
• Claudio López finished his first MLS season tied for second on the team in league goals (6) and tied for the team lead in assists (7).
• Davy Arnaud clinched the team Golden Boot after scoring two goals in his final two games.
• Five times throughout the season Kansas City scored three or more goals.
• Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and defender Jimmy Conrad are the only Wizards to play all 2700 minutes this season.
• Hartman, Conrad and defender Michael Harrington are the only three players to start in all 30 MLS games.
• Hartman now has 138 career wins, an MLS all-time record.
• Kerry Zavagnin's final MLS appearance came away to the Revs in the season finale and was his 237th appearance for the Wizards, a club record. He finished with 20,516 minutes played in league play, also a club record.

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldPtsWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGDWLTGFGAGD
30 42 11 10 9 37 39  −2 9 2 4 22 15  +7 2 8 5 15 24  −9

Last updated: Oct 25, 2008
Source: Major League Soccer
Pld = Matches played; Pts = Points; W = Matches won; T = Matches tied; L = Matches lost; GF = Goals for; GA = Goals against; GD = Goal difference

Results
Date Opponents H / A Result
F – A		 Scorers Attendance
March 29, 2008 D.C. United H 2–0 Trujillo
López		 10,385
April 5, 2008 Colorado Rapids H 3–2 Conrad 2
Sealy		 8,731
April 9, 2008 New England Revolution H 1–3 Jewsbury 8,096
April 12, 2008 Houston Dynamo H 0–0 9,627
April 20, 2008 Chicago Fire S.C. A 1–0 Jewsbury 17,121
April 26, 2008 Toronto FC A 0–2 20,045
May 3, 2008 Columbus Crew A 1–2 López 10,447
May 17, 2008 New York Red Bulls A 1–1 Conrad 15,755
May 24, 2008 Los Angeles Galaxy A 1–3 López 24,176
June 7, 2008 Real Salt Lake A 0–0 11,327
June 14, 2008 Columbus Crew H 0–3 10,385
June 21, 2008 Toronto FC A 0–0 20,293
June 28, 2008 Real Salt Lake H 1–0 Own Goal 10,385
July 4, 2008 FC Dallas A 1–1 Sealy 16,765
July 10, 2008 New York Red Bulls H 2–1 Conrad
Arnaud		 8,773
July 17, 2008 Columbus Crew A 3–3 Own Goal
Espinoza
Wolff		 16,117
July 27, 2008 Chicago Fire S.C. H 0–0 10,385
August 2, 2008 D.C. United A 0–2 18,731
August 9, 2008 Chivas USA H 3–2 Victorine
López
Arnaud		 9,597
August 16, 2008 Colorado Rapids A 1–2 Harrington 10,609
August 23, 2008 FC Dallas H 1–1 Conrad 9,825
August 30, 2008 San Jose Earthquakes A 1–2 Arnaud 10,089
September 7, 2008 Houston Dynamo A 1–3 Arnaud 14,297
September 13, 2008 Los Angeles Galaxy H 2–0 Wolff
Arnaud		 26,113
September 20, 2008 Toronto FC H 2–0 Jewsbury
Souter		 8,270
September 27, 2008 Chivas USA A 1–2 Wolff 14,783
October 5, 2008 Chicago Fire S.C. H 1–1 Harrington 10,385
October 11, 2008 New England Revolution H 1–0 Conrad 9,488
October 18, 2008 San Jose Earthquakes H 3–2 López
Arnaud
Gomez		 9,841
October 25, 2008 New England Revolution A 3–1 López
Arnaud
Own Goal		 16,764

Detailed Summary

MLS Cup Playoffs
  • Thanks to the Wizards late season push they qualified as the 4th seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Columbus Crew, eventual MLS Cup 2008 Champions started their winning campaign in Kansas City. Despite creating very few chances the Wizards held a 1-0 lead over the Supporters' Shield holders late into the second half. The turning point in this first leg came in the 75th minute when Wizards midfielder Herculez Gomez was shown a straight red card reducing the club to 10 men and forcing them to protect their lead rather than extending it. Crew rookie Steven Lenhart found the equalizer in stoppage time sending the sold-out crowd home disappointed.
  • The second leg held no drama as Brad Evans found the net for Columbus in the 7th minute and Robbie Rogers iced it in the 57th. The Wizards could only muster two shots on goal for the entire match, both of which were saved by former Wizard William Hesmer.

Results
Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F – A		 Scorers Attendance
November 1, 2008 Conference Semi-finals Columbus Crew H 1–1 Arnaud 10,385
November 8, 2008 Conference Semi-finals Columbus Crew A 0–2 11,153

Detailed Summary

U.S. Open Cup
  • As a result of their 2007 final standing position the Wizards were forced to play the Colorado Rapids in a qualification round. The host Wizards, playing in a high school football stadium, jumped ahead with Ryan Pore's 20th minute tally. The Rapids fought back and were leading late 2-1 thanks to goals from Herculez Gomez (traded later in the season to the Wizards), and Jacob Peterson when Iván Trujillo knotted the score at two and send the game into overtime. 30 scoreless minutes lead to a penalty shootout which saw Colorado's fourth shot clank off the crossbar and Kurt Morsink put the Wizards through to the third round.
  • The third round proved no easier as the Wizards went to Cary, North Carolina to face the USL-1 Carolina Railhawks. With the Wizards trailing 2-0 in the second half coach Curt Onalfo brought on Claudio López who netted the equalizer in the 82nd minute from the spot. Iván Trujillo provided the Wizards their first goal, and in extra time found the net again before Ryan Pore iced the tough fought game a minute before the final whistle. The Railhawks finished the match with nine men after Ryan Sole was shown his second yellow in the 89th minute and defender Chad Dombrowski was served a straight red in the 120th.
  • The Quarterfinals saw the Wizards visiting the Seattle Sounders (USL) at Qwest Field. Neither team could score in the first 90 minutes forcing the Wizards into their third straight AET. Following 30 more minutes of scoreless action the two clubs found themselves in the PSO- Each club missed their chance in the second round and the shooters remained perfect until round 7 when defender Tyson Wahl's (Future Seattle Sounder himself) shot was saved. Zach Scott put him the winner and Kansas City's USOC run would end.

Results
Date Round Opponents H / A Result
F – A		 Scorers Attendance
June 4, 2008 Qualification Final Colorado Rapids H 2–2
(AET/PSO) (5–3)		 Pore
Trujillo		 5,228
July 1, 2008 Third Round Carolina RailHawks A 4–2
(AET)		 Trujillo 2
López
Pore		 3,116
July 8, 2008 Quarterfinals Seattle Sounders (USL) A 0–0
(AET/PSO) (5–6)		 4,674

Detailed Summary

Squad statistics
No. Pos. Name MLS Playoffs USOC Total Minutes Discipline
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals League Total
2DF Michael Harrington 30220303522597302940
12DF Jimmy Conrad 30620203462700307540
1GK Kevin Hartman 30020003202700288000
14MF Jack Jewsbury 29320103232548284870
7FW Claudio López 28620213272265261940
22FW Davy Arnaud 24721102782019228981
17MF Roger Espinoza 22120202611169148732
11MF Kurt Morsink 21000202301215131360
20DF Tyson Wahl 16020302101327179010
25DF Jonathan Leathers 15020302001093159610
5MF Kerry Zavagnin 17000302001116137840
23FW Iván Trujillo 171102320470081420
29FW Ryan Pore 140003217248580710
9MF Sasha Victorine* 16100001611126112630
10MF Carlos Marinelli 150001016077882340
15DF Aaron Hohlbein 14000101501158127810
16FW Josh Wolff 123200014394999210
19FW Scott Sealy* 132001014285392900
3DF Chance Myers 100003013068189000
4FW Abe Thompson 80200010054567310
21MF Herculez Gomez 8110009159466901
26MF Kevin Souter 7120009141759600
24DF Matt Marquess 5010208038163400
16FW Eloy Colombano* 7000108013118600
6MF Lance Watson 300010405912220
33FW Nelson Pizarro 300010404010300
18GK Eric Kronberg 00003030036000
8MF Ryan McMahen* 00002020010200
30MF Michael Kraus 0010102008800
13DF Rauwshan McKenzie 0000101004500

Final Statistics
*left club in season

Squad

First-team squad

As of OCT 25, 2008 [3] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
1 GK  USA Kevin Hartman
2 DF  USA Michael Harrington
3 DF  USA Chance Myers
4 FW  USA Abe Thompson
5 MF  USA Kerry Zavagnin
6 MF  USA Lance Watson
7 FW  ARG Claudio López
10 MF  ARG Carlos Marinelli
11 MF  CRC Kurt Morsink
12 DF  USA Jimmy Conrad (Captain)
13 DF  USA Rauwshan McKenzie
14 DF  USA Jack Jewsbury
15 DF  USA Aaron Hohlbein
16 FW  USA Josh Wolff
No. Pos. Nation Player
17 MF  HON Roger Espinoza
18 GK  USA Eric Kronberg
20 DF  USA Tyson Wahl
21 FW  USA Herculez Gomez
22 MF  USA Davy Arnaud
23 FW  COL Iván Trujillo
24 DF  USA Matt Marquess
25 DF  USA Jonathan Leathers
26 MF  SCO Kevin Souter
29 FW  USA Ryan Pore
30 MF  USA Michael Kraus
31 GK  USA Boris Pardo
32 GK  USA Andrew Kartunen
33 MF  USA Nelson Pizarro

In

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
3 DF  USA Chance Myers (2008 MLS SuperDraft, 1st Overall[4])
7 FW  ARG Claudio López (from Racing Club de Avellaneda, Signed Designated Player[5])
13 DF  USA Rauwshan McKenzie (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 53rd Overall[4])
17 MF  HON Roger Espinoza (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 11th Overall[5])
23 FW  COL Iván Trujillo (from La Equidad, Signed[6])
No. Pos. Nation Player
24 DF  USA Matt Marquess (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 39th Overall[4])
25 DF  USA Jonathan Leathers (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 25th Overall[4])
26 MF  SCO Kevin Souter (from Free[7])
33 MF  USA Nelson Pizarro (from Free[7])
16 FW  USA Josh Wolff (from 1860 Munich, Signed[8])
4 FW  USA Abe Thompson (from FC Dallas, Trade[9])
21 FW  USA Herculez Gomez (from Colorado Rapids, Trade[10])

Out

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player
7 FW  USA Eddie Johnson (to Fulham FC, Transfer[11])
3 DF  USA Nick Garcia (to San Jose Earthquakes, Trade for 1st Overall 2008 MLS SuperDraft [12])
6 DF  USA Jose Burciaga Jr. (to Colorado Rapids, Trade for 2nd Round 2008 MLS SuperDraft [13])
16 FW  ARG Eloy Colombano (Released[14])
19 FW  TRI Scott Sealy (to San Jose Earthquakes, Allocation Money[15])
8 MF  USA Ryan McMahen (Released)
9 MF  USA Sasha Victorine (to Chivas USA, Allocation Money)

References
  1. Bullers, Finn; Cooper, Brad. "OP mayor pulls his support of stadium", The Kansas City Star, November 12, 2006. Retrieved December 23, 2006.
  2. Wizards set to face Beckham Sept. 27 Kansas City Star, 6 February 2007.
  3. "Kansas City Wizards: Roster: Main". Archived from the original on 2009-07-29. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  4. "Kansas City Wizards News". MLSNET. 2008-01-18. Archived from the original on 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  5. "Kansas City Wizards News". MLSNET. 2008-03-10. Archived from the original on 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  6. "Kansas City Wizards News". MLSNET. 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  7. "Transactions". Hillcrestroad. 2008-04-29. Archived from the original on 2009-05-22. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  8. "Striker Josh Wolff rejoins Wizards". MLSNet. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  9. "Wizards Acquire Thompson". MLSNet. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  10. "Wizards Acquire Gomez". MLSNet. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-03.
  11. "Johnson transfers to Fulham of EPL". MLSNET. 2008-01-23. Retrieved 2008-01-23.
  12. "Decision to move Garcia difficult one". MLSNET. 2008-01-16. Archived from the original on 2007-07-02. Retrieved 2008-01-16.
  13. "DBurciaga heads west for the Rockies". MLSNET. 2008-01-25. Archived from the original on 2008-03-16. Retrieved 2008-01-25.
  14. "Wizards release midfielder Colombano". MLSNET. 2008-06-20. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  15. "Wizards Swap Sealy for Allocation Money". MLSNET. 2008-07-14. Retrieved 2008-07-14.
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