MLS Season Preview: Kansas City Wizards

The start of the MLS season is so close that you can practically touch it. Our fearless team of bloggers has been helping us prepare for the season ahead through their season previews. Today we take a peek at the Kansas City Wizards. Leading us along the path to enlightenment is Michael, who writes on the Kansas City Wizards Offside blog in between taking university classes. His season preview can be found after the jump.

Nuts and Bolts

A look at the latest Merriam-Webster entry on “transition” might read like this: “see Kansas City Wizards, 2006-2007″. MLS Champions in 2000 and winners of the US Cup in 2004, the Wizards have missed the playoffs for two straight years. With a new ownership group, OnGoal LLC, and a new head coach, Curt Onalfo, the Wizards will try to regain their winning form in 2007.

The Stars

Jimmy Conrad is now the team’s most recognizable player. Conrad has long been viewed as one of MLS’ best defenders but more recently, his talent for team leadership has also been made apparent. In 2007, Jimmy will be splitting his time between the Wizards and the USMNT this season, putting a potential burden on the Wizards’ bench.

While the underachieving Eddie Johnson is the biggest name up front for the Wizards, it is Scott Sealy whom Kansas City’s offense has been built around for the past few seasons. The Trinidad & Tobago native will need to repeat his consistency up front for the Wizards to succeed.

Finally, a trio of veterans, Nick Garcia, Jose Burciaga, Jr., and Kerry Zavagnin round out the “franchise players” in Kansas City. Garcia plays alongside Conrad as center back; Burciaga, Jr. is an offensively-minded left back who may see time at midfield this season; Zavagnin is the team’s oldest player and a solid defensive midfielder.

The Newcomers

While one might think a new ownership team would signal many new arrivals in Kansas City, there are in fact only two who will likely have a major impact on the team in 2007. Veteran goalkeeper Kevin Hartman has been brought in from Los Angeles and is an upgrade from Bo Oshoniyi to be sure. Our top pick in the SuperDraft, Michael Harrington, will compliment Burciaga, Jr. as a left midfielder/fullback nicely if he can adjust to MLS play. While there are many other new youngsters in the Wizards’ ranks, it is Hartman and Harrington who will make the biggest impact on our season.

Keep an eye on:

I’d say keep an eye on the back 2/3 of the Wizard’s lineup. With no clear midfield setup and Conrad putting in time with the USMNT, there is plenty of room for a new face to jump in and produce. Ryan Pore and Willy Guadarrama may battle to back up Eddie Johnson if he gets invited to the USMNT again. Jack Jewsbury may finally be in a position to get some recognition. In all, exactly half of the
Wizard’s 26-man roster has a year or less of MLS experience!

We’ll win the league if…

Eddie Johnson can score 20 (or even 12) instead of 2 goals this season, the defense doesn’t fall to bits when Conrad leaves, someone steps up as an attacking midfielder, and the team can find a way to grind out a goal when they fall down one.

We’ll be in trouble if…

There are no answers to the questions: “Who will step up when Conrad is gone? Who will be able to bring cleared ball up to our front line? Stop holding out on us, Curt, who will be our new addition before Opening Day?” I.e. If the fears of every Wizards fan across the world are realized.

You might not know

- If you’re new to the league, you may not realize that Chivas USA coach Preki was one of MLS’s first big stars, playing most of his career with the Wizards.

- The Wizards were originally known as the “Kansas City Wiz”, but the name was lengthened to the “Wizards” soon afterwards.

- The Wizards have struck a partnership deal with the Mexican club Atlas.

Follow Kansas City’s 2007 season over at the Kansas City Offside.

Get your Kansas City Wizards soccer gear.

Tomorrow’s Previews: New England Revolution and Columbus Crew

Some Related Stories:

Category: MLS, World Football