2008 Kansas City Wizards season

Last updated
Kansas City Wizards
2008 season
Kansas City Wizards logo (2006-10).svg
Manager Curt Onalfo
Major League Soccer East: 4th
Overall: 6th
USOC Quarterfinals
Playoffs Conference semifinals
Top goalscorerLeague: Davy Arnaud (7)
All: Davy Arnaud (8)
Highest home attendance26,113
Average home league attendance10,686
←  2007
2009  →

The 2008 Kansas City Wizards season was the 13th in Major League Soccer and the first season played at the temporary home CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas. This marked the start of club's longstanding relationship with the city of Kansas City, Kansas, as the eventual new stadium the team sought out was constructed in this city.

Contents

Team News

The Wizards had 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 was intended to 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 target date for completion of construction for a new facility had been stated as the beginning of the 2010 season. Team owners are currently collaborating with architecture firm 360 Architecture on the design of the new stadium.

Ultimately, due to the financial crisis among other issues, the Wizards plan failed in Missouri. The aforementioned stadium -- now known as Children's Mercy Park -- was built in Kansas City, Kansas, near Kansas Speedway and the ballpark.

Matches

Pre-season

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 Wizards 1–0 Real Salt Lake
Conrad Soccerball shade.svg64' (report) [ permanent dead link ]

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.

Major League Soccer

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
3042111093739 −29242215 +72851524 −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

DateOpponentsH / AResult
F – A		ScorersAttendance
March 29, 2008 D.C. United H2–0 Trujillo
López 		10,385
April 5, 2008 Colorado Rapids H3–2 Conrad 2
Sealy 		8,731
April 9, 2008 New England Revolution H1–3 Jewsbury 8,096
April 12, 2008 Houston Dynamo H0–09,627
April 20, 2008 Chicago Fire S.C. A1–0 Jewsbury 17,121
April 26, 2008 Toronto FC A0–220,045
May 3, 2008 Columbus Crew A1–2 López 10,447
May 17, 2008 New York Red Bulls A1–1 Conrad 15,755
May 24, 2008 Los Angeles Galaxy A1–3 López 24,176
June 7, 2008 Real Salt Lake A0–011,327
June 14, 2008 Columbus Crew H0–310,385
June 21, 2008 Toronto FC A0–020,293
June 28, 2008 Real Salt Lake H1–0 Own Goal 10,385
July 4, 2008 FC Dallas A1–1 Sealy 16,765
July 10, 2008 New York Red Bulls H2–1 Conrad
Arnaud 		8,773
July 17, 2008 Columbus Crew A3–3 Own Goal
Espinoza
Wolff 		16,117
July 27, 2008 Chicago Fire S.C. H0–010,385
August 2, 2008 D.C. United A0–218,731
August 9, 2008 Chivas USA H3–2 Victorine
López
Arnaud 		9,597
August 16, 2008 Colorado Rapids A1–2 Harrington 10,609
August 23, 2008 FC Dallas H1–1 Conrad 9,825
August 30, 2008 San Jose Earthquakes A1–2 Arnaud 10,089
September 7, 2008 Houston Dynamo A1–3 Arnaud 14,297
September 13, 2008 Los Angeles Galaxy H2–0 Wolff
Arnaud 		26,113
September 20, 2008 Toronto FC H2–0 Jewsbury
Souter 		8,270
September 27, 2008 Chivas USA A1–2 Wolff 14,783
October 5, 2008 Chicago Fire S.C. H1–1 Harrington 10,385
October 11, 2008 New England Revolution H1–0 Conrad 9,488
October 18, 2008 San Jose Earthquakes H3–2 López
Arnaud
Gomez 		9,841
October 25, 2008 New England Revolution A3–1 López
Arnaud
Own Goal 		16,764

Detailed Summary

MLS Cup Playoffs

Results

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResult
F – A		ScorersAttendance
November 1, 2008Conference Semi-finals Columbus Crew H1–1 Arnaud 10,385
November 8, 2008Conference Semi-finals Columbus Crew A0–211,153

Detailed Summary

U.S. Open Cup

Results

DateRoundOpponentsH / AResult
F – A		ScorersAttendance
June 4, 2008Qualification Final Colorado Rapids H2–2
(AET/PSO) (5–3)		 Pore
Trujillo 		5,228
July 1, 2008Third Round Carolina RailHawks A4–2
(AET)		 Trujillo 2
López
Pore 		3,116
July 8, 2008Quarterfinals Seattle Sounders (USL) A0–0
(AET/PSO) (5–6)		4,674

Detailed Summary

Squad statistics

No.Pos.Name MLS Playoffs USOC TotalMinutesDiscipline
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsLeagueTotal Yellow card.svg Red card.svg
2DF Flag of the United States.svg Michael Harrington 30220303522597302940
12DF Flag of the United States.svg Jimmy Conrad 30620203462700307540
1GK Flag of the United States.svg Kevin Hartman 30020003202700288000
14MF Flag of the United States.svg Jack Jewsbury 29320103232548284870
7FW Flag of Argentina.svg Claudio López 28620213272265261940
22FW Flag of the United States.svg Davy Arnaud 24721102782019228981
17MF Flag of Honduras.svg Roger Espinoza 22120202611169148732
11MF Flag of Costa Rica.svg Kurt Morsink 21000202301215131360
20DF Flag of the United States.svg Tyson Wahl 16020302101327179010
25DF Flag of the United States.svg Jonathan Leathers 15020302001093159610
5MF Flag of the United States.svg Kerry Zavagnin 17000302001116137840
23FW Flag of Colombia.svg Iván Trujillo 171102320470081420
29FW Flag of the United States.svg Ryan Pore 140003217248580710
9MF Flag of the United States.svg Sasha Victorine*16100001611126112630
10MF Flag of Argentina.svg Carlos Marinelli 150001016077882340
15DF Flag of the United States.svg Aaron Hohlbein 14000101501158127810
16FW Flag of the United States.svg Josh Wolff 123200014394999210
19FW Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg Scott Sealy*132001014285392900
3DF Flag of the United States.svg Chance Myers 100003013068189000
4FW Flag of the United States.svg Abe Thompson 80200010054567310
21MF Flag of the United States.svg Herculez Gomez 8110009159466901
26MF Flag of Scotland.svg Kevin Souter 7120009141759600
24DF Flag of the United States.svg Matt Marquess 5010208038163400
16FW Flag of Argentina.svg Eloy Colombano*7000108013118600
6MF Flag of the United States.svg Lance Watson 300010405912220
33FW Flag of the United States.svg Nelson Pizarro 300010404010300
18GK Flag of the United States.svg Eric Kronberg 00003030036000
8MF Flag of the United States.svg Ryan McMahen*00002020010200
30MF Flag of the United States.svg Michael Kraus 0010102008800
13DF Flag of the United States.svg 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.NationPlayer
1 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Kevin Hartman
2 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Michael Harrington
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Chance Myers
4 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Abe Thompson
5 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Kerry Zavagnin
6 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Lance Watson
7 FW Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Claudio López
10 MF Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Carlos Marinelli
11 MF Flag of Costa Rica.svg  CRC Kurt Morsink
12 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jimmy Conrad (Captain)
13 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Rauwshan McKenzie
14 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jack Jewsbury
15 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Aaron Hohlbein
16 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Josh Wolff
No.Pos.NationPlayer
17 MF Flag of Honduras.svg  HON Roger Espinoza
18 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Eric Kronberg
20 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Tyson Wahl
21 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Herculez Gomez
22 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Davy Arnaud
23 FW Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Iván Trujillo
24 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Matt Marquess
25 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jonathan Leathers
26 MF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Kevin Souter
29 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ryan Pore
30 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Michael Kraus
31 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Boris Pardo
32 GK Flag of the United States.svg  USA Andrew Kartunen
33 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nelson Pizarro

Transfers

In

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

No.Pos.NationPlayer
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Chance Myers (2008 MLS SuperDraft, 1st Overall [4] )
7 FW Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Claudio López (from Racing Club de Avellaneda, Signed Designated Player [5] )
13 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Rauwshan McKenzie (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 53rd Overall [4] )
17 MF Flag of Honduras.svg  HON Roger Espinoza (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 11th Overall [5] )
23 FW Flag of Colombia.svg  COL Iván Trujillo (from La Equidad, Signed [6] )
No.Pos.NationPlayer
24 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Matt Marquess (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 39th Overall [4] )
25 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jonathan Leathers (from 2008 MLS SuperDraft, 25th Overall [4] )
26 MF Flag of Scotland.svg  SCO Kevin Souter (from Free [7] )
33 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nelson Pizarro (from Free [7] )
16 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Josh Wolff (from 1860 Munich, Signed [8] )
4 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Abe Thompson (from FC Dallas, Trade [9] )
21 FW Flag of the United States.svg  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.NationPlayer
7 FW Flag of the United States.svg  USA Eddie Johnson (to Fulham FC, Transfer [11] )
3 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Nick Garcia (to San Jose Earthquakes, Trade for 1st Overall 2008 MLS SuperDraft [12] )
6 DF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Jose Burciaga Jr. (to Colorado Rapids, Trade for 2nd Round 2008 MLS SuperDraft [13] )
16 FW Flag of Argentina.svg  ARG Eloy Colombano (Released [14] )
19 FW Flag of Trinidad and Tobago.svg  TRI Scott Sealy (to San Jose Earthquakes, Allocation Money [15] )
8 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Ryan McMahen (Released)
9 MF Flag of the United States.svg  USA Sasha Victorine (to Chivas USA, Allocation Money)

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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 2010-01-19. Retrieved 2009-04-17.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Kansas City Wizards News". MLSNET. 2008-01-18. Archived from the original on 2009-05-24. Retrieved 2008-01-18.
  5. 1 2 "Kansas City Wizards News". MLSNET. 2008-03-10. Archived from the original on 2009-05-24. Retrieved 2008-03-10.
  6. ↑ "Kansas City Wizards News". MLSNET. 2008-03-04. Retrieved 2008-03-04.
  7. 1 2 "Transactions". Hillcrestroad. 2008-04-29. Archived from the original on 2008-05-25. Retrieved 2008-04-29.
  8. ↑ "Striker Josh Wolff rejoins Wizards". MLSNet. 2008-06-30. Retrieved 2008-06-30.[ permanent dead link ]
  9. ↑ "Wizards Acquire Thompson". MLSNet. 2008-09-05. Retrieved 2008-09-05.[ dead link ]
  10. ↑ "Wizards Acquire Gomez". MLSNet. 2008-09-03. Retrieved 2008-09-03.[ dead link ]
  11. ↑ "Johnson transfers to Fulham of EPL". MLSNET. 2008-01-23. Retrieved 2008-01-23.[ permanent dead link ]
  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.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. ↑ "Wizards Swap Sealy for Allocation Money". MLSNET. 2008-07-14. Retrieved 2008-07-14.[ permanent dead link ]
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