The 2010 Kansas City Wizards season was the club's 15th season since its establishment in 1995. The club participated in the MLS for the 15th time, and in the U.S. Open Cup for the 14th time. Local television broadcast rights were held by KCWE in the first year of a four year deal. Every home and away match for the league season was available on local over-the-airhigh definition. On January 20, the club broke ground on their future stadium.[1]
The club decided to travel to Arizona for preseason training after opening camp in cold Kansas City. As promised by the front office in the off-season, the club brought in a large number of trialist and draft picks to fight for the limited squad positions. Much of the preseason banter surrounded the departure of popular Latin Striker Claudio Lopez and the contract status of fan favorite goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Hartman's situation was used as an example against the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union however Hartman was replaced by Danish Jimmy Nielsen which was a questionable move with limited Senior International spots available. In addition to all the player movement the Wizards found themselves winners in a weighted allocation lottery for the services of US Youth player 16-year-old Luis Gil. Despite "winning" the lottery speculation was that the league had agreed the youngster would be placed somewhere on the west coast and he was quickly traded to Real Salt Lake for a second round draft pick, future transfer consideration, and a Senior International roster spot.
Ryan Smith made his introduction to the club and the league in the Wizards opener, an emphatic 4-nil whooping of D.C. United. Kei Kamara opened his account slamming home a sloppy rebound from a Smith shot on Troy Perkins' goal, Davy Arnaud doubled the lead in the first half with Smith earning the assist. Despite being an official "sell-out", the weather kept a large number of fans from seeing new goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen make his uneventful debut. Nielsen was tested only the one time by the all-time league-leading goal scorer Jaime Moreno but the Danish keeper nicknamed "White Puma" responded properly and kept his sheet clean. The second half opened just like the first and Smith got his first goal of the season, easily passing another sloppy rebound into an open net, this time in front of The Cauldron. 15 minutes later Smith's corner intended for Kamara found instead the hand of a defender and referee Kevin Stott pointed to the spot; Jack Jewsbury (late entry to starting eleven) made the best of the situation and gave the home squad a 4-goal lead.
Off the field
Hours before the season opener, the Wizards organization invited a group of season ticket holders to tour the construction site of the new stadium. Tactically the club hid the formation they planned to play often, letting people believe they were playing a 4-4-2 when in fact Peter Vermes had installed a new hybrid 4-5-1 and 4-3-3 formation. Birahim Diop and Chance Myers were both intended to be in the starting eleven to open the season; however, both became injured and were replaced with Jack Jewsbury and Kei Kamara, who would both make the most of their chances and earn the starting positions. In addition to all the roster changes, Indian footballer Sunil Chhetri was added to the club very late in March despite not having an open roster spot available. The Chhetri signing brought so much attention to the club from India that the Wizards held a video press conference for the reporters in India.
April (1-1-1) 4 points
With no league match scheduled for the second week the Wizards visited their new cross state rival AC St. Louis. The friendly was part of a doubleheader planned to pit the Swope Park Rangers versus University of Evansville and Wizards v Saint Louis. In the opener the newest striker Sunil Chhetri struck for a hat trick against the amateur Evansville Purple Aces leading to a 5-0 victory. The Wizards fielded a weaken side for the second match but still came out ahead 2-1 thanks to a late Santiago Hirsig winner, more importantly though was the loss of backup center forward Zoltán whose ACL was torn and is expected to miss five-to-eight months. The striker was placed on the injured reserve list allowing Chhetri to join the roster without having to move another player.
Colorado became the second visitors to CommunityAmerica Ballpark in 2010 as well staying to open the 2010 U.S. Open Cup later in the week at Stanley H. Durwood Soccer Stadium on the downtown campus of UMKC. The league match-up was hindered by harsh fouls and questionable officiating yet Kei Kamara scored the lone goal and winner off the boot of Ryan Smith from a long distance free kick. Colorado defender Julien Baudet was sent off in the 72nd minute and despite having one of the deadliest strike duos in the league the Rapids didn't trouble Jimmy Nielsen. The Open Cup match started with Teal Bunbury scoring his first professional goal but it would prove to not be enough as Rapids midfielder Wells Thompson would net a Brace ending the Open Cup run before it had even started.
Traveling to Seattle has proven tough for most clubs in the league, but Kansas City handed the Sounders their first ever home loss in 2009 and appeared ready to duplicate that result. In their first away match of the season the Wizards invited pressure early and it nearly cost them as the Sounders had a handful of half chances in the opening minutes. Young Colombian standout Freddy Montero was denied on the doorstep by the strong right hand of Jimmy Nielsen which marked the end of the Seattle pressure and ushered in Kansas City's possession for the remainder of the first half. Frustrated and maligned James Riley first and Steve Zakuani later picked up careless yellow cards and Swedish International Freddie Ljungberg was held without incident for much of the match. Jimmy Conrad was forced out of the match with injury which left the KC backline lacking age and experience; Harrington (24), Besler (23), Escobar (23), and Espinoza (23). Enjoying much of the ball the Wizards could only muster two shots on goal out of nine, despite having 19 in their first two matches. Ryan Smith and the Wizards created nine corners and nine shots to Seattle's two corners and five shots however the Sounders second shot on goal came in the 92nd minute and found the netting despite an apparent illegal throw-in. Making only his second professional appearance Michael Fucito came on in the 85th minute and got on the end of a throw in from fellow substitute Brad Evans winning the game 1-0. Chance Myers had an immediate counterattack but failed to beat goalkeeper Kasey Keller one-on-one.
Landon Donovan and The Galaxy brought in their perfect 12 points and Edson Buddle's league leading seven goals to face the stingy defense of the Wizards. To the dismay of neutrals and supporters alike the weather affected the match as the Kansas City area saw hours and hours rain previous and during the match. Both clubs had trouble holding the ball and at times it looked more like a tennis match but Kansas City did have the better of chances despite the match ending in a scoreless draw. Jimmy Nielsen and Donovan Ricketts would take home most of the accolades and Kei Kamara the scapegoating, Kamara botched a sitter in the first half.[citation needed]
Following the encouraging result against LA, the club appeared poised to pick up some points on a quick two city road trip to Houston and the nation's capital, where pointless D.C. United awaited, while both road match ups and the subsequent home match on May 15 would all be on national television where the side has struggled in recent seasons. Wizards starting centerback Jimmy Conrad couldn't pass a pregame fitness test and the young backline who held the league leading Galaxy offense scoreless seemed ready to handle a club missing their starting forward Brian Ching. The young Wizards lost the plot quickly and the Dyanmo jumped them as Matt Besler picked up a quick yellow and the disappointing young Mexican strike Luis Ángel Landín gave the home side an early lead, the goal was only his second since joining the club as a Designated Player and both have come against KC at Robertson Stadium. Wizards captain Davy Arnaud was sent off for only the second time in his eight years after making contact with the goalkeeper and the club never recovered in the heat and humidity as the Texan side cruised to a 3 – nil victory.
After being skunked in the league opener the Black-and-Red had been shutout in four of five matches and had managed zero points while scoring only two goals and conceding a total of 13. Even without the services of captain Arnaud and veteran Conrad the club looked favorites in the ESPN2 MLS Game of the Week. In an attempt to shake things up and to aid in the wary legs from playing a man down just days earlier Peter Vermes gave Santiago Hirsig and Chance Myers each their first starts of the season, neither of which made the desired impact and were both subbed by the 51st minute. Australian internationalDanny Allsopp provided a first half brace while 19-year-old Bill Hamid made his professional debut earning him a league record as the youngest goalkeeper to ever register a win at just 19 years 161 days, besting Tim Howard's record by four days. Hamid was stunning in his appearance making five saves, the biggest denying Jack Jewsbury directly before halftime. The Wizards created more chances but their finishing aim let them down again as they recorded 14 shots and only a single tally that came very late when substitute and team goal leader Kei Kamara spoiled the clean sheet in the 92nd minute.
Another struggling Eastern Conference foe would find a point off of the Wizards when the Chicago Fire came calling on another rainy Kansas City Saturday night. The club followed their 2010 script perfectly as they outshot the Fire 18-8 (10-6 on net) while holding a commanding double digit corner kick advantage 11-1 but as in many of the earlier games the Wizards simply could not get the ball around Chicago goal keeper Andrew Dykstra who ended the match with eight saves. Julio Martínez put the visitors ahead in the 14th minute and former US International Brian McBride doubled the lead straight out of halftime. Davy Arnaud would have a goal called back and several KC shots hit woodwork before Kei Kamara pulled one back only two minutes after the lead was doubled. Much of the second half would be played in the Wizards final third but the equalizer wouldn't come until Kamara tapped in a deflected shot from Teal Bunbury in the 89th minute, despite increased pressure the homeside would not find a magical stoppage time winner and was forced to live with splitting the points.
May was shaping up to be a decidedly bad month for the club when undefeated Columbus (5-0-2) made their lone appearance to the CAB. The Crew left home earlier in the week trailing only the surprising Red Bulls in the East but after dispatching New York 3-1 at Red Bull Arena the yellow clad warriors looked unstoppable. Eddie Gaven put himself in a position to break the scoreless draw in the 10th minute as he went 1v1 with Kansas City keeper Jimmy Nielsen but the Dane was up to the task first getting a foot to the shot and then falling directly on top of the rebound (Nielsen won Save of the Week for this save). The first half frustration came to a head just before half time when captain Arnuad hit the left upright after an inspiring built up from Graham Zusi and the lay off from Kei Kamara. The opening 20 minutes of the second half saw the Wizards outshoot the Crew 7-1 of those seven shots, two easily handled Ryan Smith muffs, a Zusi screamer that went just wide, a Jewsbury rocket that had Will Hesmer beaten if on frame, Bunbury shot off target, and a Kamara turn from the top of the circle plus his header from within six yards that found its way over the cross bar- The Columbus shot in those 20 minutes, Emilio Rentería's game winning header off of a corner kick taken by 2008 MLS MVP winnerGuillermo Barros Schelotto. The home loss meant the club had not registered a win in seven straight matches dating back to the April 10 1-nil win over Colorado.
Defending MLS Cup holders RSL rounded out a terrible month of May. Salt Lake had won four straight league matches and was undefeated at Rio Tinto Stadium while out scoring their opponents 14-4 over the month, Kansas City on the other hand finished May 0–4-1 while netting four and leaking 12. There would be no surprises in this one as RSL rolled 4-1 and Wizards Captain Davy Arnuad received his second red card of the season and third of his career. Jimmy Nielsen was once again up for Save of the Week.
After a month of forgettable football most Wizards fans were very critical of the coaching staff and formation being played by the club. Things didn't appear to get any easier to start June as the schedule read a quick trip up to Toronto to face the surging Reds who were enjoying their best start to a season in club history. They had tallied 12 of 12 home points and riding a four match unbeaten streak that consisted of three victories and one very impressive scoreless draw at Home Depot Center against the unstoppable Galaxy. Jimmy Nielsen kept the Wiz in the match long enough to allow referee Baldomero Toledo to send off TFC Defender Nick Garcia in the 27th minute. For the remainder of the first half the visitors enjoyed some attacking football but couldn't break down the defense and would have to settle for going to half up a man and even on the score sheet. Toledo's performance in the middle would be questioned by both sides before the game ended and in the 57th minute Craig Rocastle put himself in a position to be sent off and Toledo granted him the wish. The match would end scoreless with ten a side in what would repeatedly be called an uninspired performance by both sides but the point earned was the first road point for the club in 2010.
Expansion side Philadelphia Union brought the worse statistical defense in the league and cured the Kansas City streak of eight matches without a win. Kei Kamara scored his team leading sixth goal (which won MLS Goal of the Week) early in the first half thanks in large part to Ryan Smith's picture perfect pass, Smith then feed Graham Zusi another slick ball to put him behind the backline and the second year backup slotted home his first professional goal. Philadelphia center back Michael Orozco Fiscal received a red card late in the first half which caused the Union to pack men behind the ball and created an incredibly boring second half. This was the final game for the league before the international break structured into the season for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
After sixteen days off the Wizards got back into league play hosting New York Red Bulls at CAB. Many of the supporters were disappointed after watching the USMNT crash out of the World Cup earlier in the day and then watch the home side get slammed 3-0. This match was marred by two poor performances, first by reserve center back Aaron Hohlbein and second the otherwise outstanding Jimmy Nielsen. To add to the disgrace the club captain Davy Arnaud picked up his third red card of the season in the 93rd minute causing a large number of supporters to call for him to lose the armband.
Manager Peter Vermes opened July by tinkering with the formation while trying to get anything out of the offense. A visit to Dallas in the summer of 2009 resulted in then-manager Curt Onalfo being dismissed following a 6-0 thumping, and heading into this match Dallas was riding a two-game win streak and looked every bit capable of running away with another lopsided win. The first half saw KC not get a single shot as they looked more willing to defend and play for a scoreless draw until Colombian attacking midfielder David Ferreira unlocked the Kansas City defense. Dallas then coasted to the 1-0 victory at home.
Wizards returned home to face the Western Conference's last place team Chivas USA. Everyone has seen matches where one team deserves to win and in the end doesn't, as an example KC lead in corner kicks 14-1 and shots 20-8 yet were defeated 2-0 thanks to Justin Braun finding the net on two mistakes by center back Jimmy Conrad. To round out his poor performance Conrad then went on to pick up a yellow card in the 81st minute as many home supporters left the grounds early. This match appeared to break the backs of many fans and there was much talk about Peter Vermes dismissal but it never came and the club went on the road hoping to end a three-game scoreless streak.
In a vast reversal Kansas City edged out The East Leading Crew in Columbus while riding the back of goal keeper Jimmy Nielsen (and his fourth Save of the Week win) and Rookie Teal Bunbury's first professional goal. Columbus out shot the Wizards 19-8 and lead in corners 8-1 while being denied by the Puma seven times. Late in the match Bunbury had a second break away opportunity where Crew keeper and former Kansas City back up Will Hesmer forced him wide and then made an amazing save on Graham Zusi's headed shot after Teal crossed it deftly (nominated for Save of the Week). The away win was the club's first of the season, it snapped both three game scoreless and losing streaks. Nielsen had two saves from this match nominated for Save of the Week.
SkipperDavy Arnaud got the Wizards out to another fast start by beating Rapids keeper Matt Pickens early in the first half on another break away. For the second straight match Teal Bunbury teamed up top with Smith and Kamara and his on ball strength and threat of splitting the opponents center backs made for another strong respected performance. Colorado chased the game the entire first half and were extremely lucky to only be trailing 1-nil at half thanks in large part to Pickens making a blind kick save off of a Kamara shot and then stopping the stinging rebound of Arnaud (nominated for Save of the Week). The Rapids most fortunate play in the first half came as Bunbury held the ball outside the 18' and then deftly turned and sent a rocket that beat Pickens but then hit the right post and hugged the line until it struck the left upright and came back to the spot where Kamara's rebound attempt was foiled by a defender. Kansas City never got a clear chance in the second half yet they defended well until the 74th minute when Conor Casey equalized on the only shot on goal the home team got all night long. Recently brought in Shavar Thomas was responsible for allowing Casey to turn and shoot but Jimmy Nielsen reacted poorly and should have denied Casey of his team leading seventh goal, in addition to the equalizer Casey had clear chance to win the match late on but missed an open net- putting the ball off the upright and across the byline.
In front of a Kansas City record 52,424 fans the Wizards beat English Superclub Manchester United. Peter Vermes kept the same starting eleven who had sparked the recent good form and it paid dividends immediately as the Wizards pressured high and got stuck in versus the Red Devils. In just the eleventh minute the home side would push ahead as Davy Arnaud was kept onsides by a lazy and slow moving Rafael and he easily tallied past backup Ben Amos. Like they had in the opening moments the club would keep creating serious chances throughout the first half with Teal Bunbury, Kei Kamara, and Englishman Ryan Smith all having good goes of it. While the Wizards were creating chances United was countering with only half chances until Jimmy Nielsen stopped a point blank attempt with his belly and the Wizards were forced onto their back foot, which is where they found themselves in the 39th minute when Ryan Giggs slipped Dimitar Berbatov between the KC centerbacks. Jimmy Conrad found himself a full step behind and on the wrong side of the Bulgarian striker but still made a play for the ball, he got man instead and the penalty was given by American Referee Terry Vaughn- who also gave Conrad an ejection. Berbatov's hesitation step sent Nielsen diving the wrong direction and he easily equalized the exhibition match. Just one minute later Kansas City's leading assist maker Smith crossed a corner into and off of leading scorer Kamara's head that gave the now ten man home side the lead once again. Manchester United fought for the equalizer playing all their starters until the 68th minute and Alex Ferguson decided to even keep playing Giggs and fellow Red Devil legend Paul Scholes the full 90 minutes but the Major League Soccer outfit held their lines and won the match 2-1.
Returning to league play on the final day of July meant welcoming the third place (in the east) Toronto FC to the ballpark. The visitors came in a little off form and bogged down from fixture congestion in addition to a mistake make in customs that left the side without their match gear. Both sides looked affected by the extreme heat and played rather sloppy for most of the match. Recently acquired Spanish forward Mista had the best chance in the first half when he got through to Jimmy Nielsen alone but was spoiled by the right hand of the white puma. Neither club looked very dangerous as combined they totaled 20 shots; only 5 on goal yet rookie Teal Bunbury took advantage of a mistake in the back and headed a bouncing ball over Stefan Frei for the only goal of the match. Ryan Smith was taken off hurt in the first half, but before, he missed a good scoring chance and Birahim Diop also missed for the home side late in the second half with a chance to send the Canadians home before the whistle, however he mishit the ball and the result was a roller to the keeper. The seven points earned in July were the most of any month to date.
Off the Field The club released disappointing Colombian center back Pablo Andrés Escobar after rumors of poor effort and development. Escobar was replaced by former Kansas City player Shavar Thomas who was reacquired in a trade with Philadelphia on July 2. Jimmy Nielsen won his third Save of the Week of the season and second straight with his play at Dallas on July 3 and his fourth just two weeks later thanks to his play versus Columbus. The club continued an attempt at stabilizing their center defense by signing Greek Nick Kounenakis just a few matches after inserting Thomas into the lineup. With Eiður Guðjohnsen apparently off the table and staying in England the club turned its DP focus onto another international striker, Omar Bravo. The Mexican International is a legendary hero of Club Deportivo Guadalajara (Chivas) as the club's second highest all time goal scorer (106) having played nearly 300 matches over a decade of service. Bravo has scored 15 times for his country, never against the United States, and El Tri has never lost a match in which he has scored- (12-0-1).
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September
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October
The Wizards have managed to stay 3rd in the MLS Eastern Conference with playoff hopes. The team to jump ahead in order to clinch the last wild card spot are the Colorado Rapids. With a game at hand, the Wiz need 6 points from their last two games (vs. NE Rev and vs. SJ Quakes) and Colorado to drop points for a spot in the playoffs.
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