Kansas City Wizards
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| Full name | Kansas City Wizards | ||
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| Nickname(s) | Wizards, The Wiz, KC Swope Park Rangers (reserves) |
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| Founded | 1995 | ||
| Stadium | CommunityAmerica Ballpark Kansas City, Kansas (Capacity: 10,385) |
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| Owner |  OnGoal, LLC. |
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| Head Coach | Peter Vermes |
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| League | Major League Soccer | ||
| 2009 | Eastern Conference: 6th Overall: 13th Playoffs: DNQ |
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 Current season |
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The Kansas City Wizards are an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that participates in Major League Soccer. In 2007, the team moved to Kansas from Kansas City, Missouri but with plans to build a new stadium in the Missouri city. However, they ultimately decided to build the new stadium on the Kansas side near the Kansas Speedway. The Wizards won the MLS Cup in 2000, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004, and the MLS Supporters Shield in 2000. The team colors have been cobalt blue, dark indigo, yellow and white since 2008.[1]
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History
The Wizards were known as the Kansas City Wiz during the 1996 season but changed names due to a trademark dispute. From 1995 until 2006, they were owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs, FC Dallas and the Columbus Crew.
In the 2000 season, the Wizards captured both the MLS Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup. In the previous two seasons, they had failed to make the playoffs.
On July 19, 2006, head coach Bob Gansler resigned and general manager Curt Johnson selected assistant coach Brian Bliss as the new interim head coach[2]. Curt Onalfo was announced the new permanent head coach after the end of the 2006 season.
On December 9, 2004, Lamar Hunt announced that he was looking to sell the team after the 2005 MLS season. On August 31, 2006, the Wizards held a press conference to announce the sale of the team to a local ownership group consisting of Cerner co-founders Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig, Rock Island Capital’s Robb Heineman, Greg Maday and David French, and Pat Curran, founder of C3 Holdings.[3]
Rivalries
I-70 Cup A traditional game played between the Wizards and AC St. Louis.
Crest
 original Kansas City Wiz logo |
 former Kansas City Wizards logo |
Kansas City Wizards logo |
Home stadiums
- Arrowhead Stadium (1996-2007)
From 1996 to 2007, the Wizards played home games in Arrowhead Stadium, the American football stadium mainly used by the Kansas City Chiefs. Wizards management kept the west end of Arrowhead tarped off for the first 10 years of play, limiting seating near the field. In 2006, fans could sit all the way around the field, but in 2007 seating was only available along the sidelines. In 2008, the Wizards moved their home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy to Arrowhead Stadium to accommodate the larger crowd that was expected to be in attendance for David Beckham's Kansas City debut.
- CommunityAmerica Ballpark (2008-present)
The Wizards entered an agreement with the Kansas City T-Bones to use their home stadium, CommunityAmerica Ballpark, during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The stadium, located across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, built a new bleacher section financed by the Wizards to increase its capacity to 10,385. This move made the Wizards the third MLS team to share their home ground with a baseball team. D.C. United had been sharing RFK Stadium with Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C., before the latter's move into Nationals Park. The San Jose Earthquakes also use a baseball stadium, as they have used Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, home of the Oakland A's for certain games during the 2008 season.
- Wizards Stadium Complex at Village West (2011-)
The Wizards originally planned to return to Kansas City, Missouri and build a new stadium there, tentatively called Trails Stadium, as part of a major mixed-use development. The team had received all required approvals and was awaiting site demolition; however, the 2008–09 financial crisis ultimately led to the scrapping of the Trails Stadium project. The developer then sought a new site, quickly settling on a similar development in Kansas City, Kansas known as Village West, near CommunityAmerica Ballpark and Kansas Speedway.
In September 2009, the developer asked Wyandotte County and Kansas state officials for permission to use revenues from existing tax increment financing in the Village West area to help finance the soccer complex[4]. On December 17th, Wizards president, Robb Heineman provided an update on the stadium situation published on team official website and blog,[5][6] basically identifying the Kansas City Kansas location as final, pending the signature of the final agreements. On December 21st, construction machinery was already on the Legends site waiting to break ground[7][8]. On January 19th, Wyandotte County approved the bonds to help finance the stadium[9], and on the 20th, the groundbreaking ceremony was made, with Wizards CEO, Robb Heineman, using heavy machinery to move dirt on the construction site[10].
Supporters
The main supporters group of the Kansas City Wizards stand in a section known as "The Cauldron." The name is derived from the large metal pots used in witchcraft. Over the past few years, the Wizards have seen dramatic growth in their fan section, with several fan groups adding their voice to The Cauldron culture and atmosphere. The largest supporters group is known as "Hillcrest Syndicate." The group derives its name from Hillcrest Road which is the road on which the Trails Stadium would have been built if the project had not fallen through and then shifted to Kansas. Other groups - such as Southern Voodoo, American Outlaws Kansas City Chapter and the Yardbirds - are also currently a part of The Cauldron. After a strong presence in 2007 and 2008, the Sudakas have largely faded from the section, although several of their chants remain a part of the regular repertoire.
Television and Radio
Wizards matches are broadcast on KCWE (except for nationally broadcast matches), with Dave Borchardt on play-by-play with former Wizard Sasha Victorine doing color.
Local Radio coverage is broadcasted live in English using the television feed on KCZZ 1480AM, Spanish broadcasting can be found on KDTD 1340AM.
Official Anthem
In 2007, Kansas City based rock band Blackpool Lights song “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Stop Us Now” was chosen as the official team anthem. Received by fans in a lukewarm response the song has not drawn much identity to the club although it continues to be played at the stadium before matches.
Honors
Domestic
- MLS Cup:
- Winners (1): 2000
- Runners-up (1): 2004
- MLS Supporters' Shield:
- Winners (1): 2000
- Runners-up (2): 1997, 2004
- US Open Cup:
- Winners (1): 2004
Minor Trophies
- MLS Reserve Division:
- Runners-up (2): 2006, 2008
Players
Current roster
As of July 30, 2010.[11]
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players
This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.
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- See also All-time Kansas City Wizards roster
Head coaches
Ron Newman (1996-99)- Ken Fogarty (1999, interim)
- Bob Gansler (1999-06)
- Brian Bliss (2006, interim)
- Curt Onalfo (2006-09)
- Peter Vermes (2009-)
General managers
- Tim Latta
- Doug Newman (1997–1999)
- Curt Johnson (1999–2006)
- Peter Vermes (2006–Present) -- Technical Director and Head Coach
- Greg Cotton (2006–Present) -- Director of Business Operations
Presidents
- Robb Heineman (2006 - Present)[1]
Team records
- Games: Kerry Zavagnin, 225
- Goals: Preki, 71
- Assists: Preki, 98
- Shutouts: Tony Meola, 37
MLS regular season only
- All-Time regular season record: 154-155-65 (Through April 20, 2008)
Year-by-year
Kansas City Wizards Seasons
| Year | MLS Reg. Season | MLS Cup Playoffs | Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup | CONCACAF Champions' Cup/Champions League |
SuperLiga |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 3rd, West | Semifinals | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify | Started in 2007 |
| 1997 | 1st, West | Quarterfinals | Round of 16 | Did not qualify | |
| 1998 | 6th, West | Did not qualify | Round of 16 | Did not qualify | |
| 1999 | 6th, West | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | |
| 2000 | 1st, West* | Champions | Round of 32 | Did not qualify | |
| 2001 | 3rd, West | Quarterfinals | Round of 16 | Not held | |
| 2002 | 5th, West | Quarterfinals | Semifinals | Semifinals | |
| 2003 | 2nd, West | Semifinals | Round of 16 | Did not qualify | |
| 2004 | 1st, West | Runners-Up | Champions | Did not qualify | |
| 2005 | 5th, East | Did not qualify | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | |
| 2006 | 5th, East | Did not qualify | Round of 16 | Did not qualify | |
| 2007 | 5th, East | Semifinals** | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not participate |
| 2008 | 4th, East | Quarterfinals | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 6th, East | Did not qualify | Quarterfinals | Did not qualify | Group Stage |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
* Won MLS Supporters' Shield
** Qualified in the Western Conference Playoff Bracket
International competition
- 2001 Copa Merconorte
- 3rd place in Group C
- 2002 CONCACAF Champions Cup
- First Round v.
W Connection – 1:0, 2:0 (Wizards win 3:0 on aggregate) - Quarterfinals v.
Santos Laguna – 1:2, 2:0 (Wizards win 3:2 on aggregate) - Semifinals v. Monarcas Morelia – 1:6, 1:1 (Morelia advances 7:2 on aggregate)
- First Round v.
- 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup
- First Round v.
Deportivo Saprissa – 0:0, 2:1 (Saprissa advances 2:1 on aggregate after added extra time)
- First Round v.
- 2009 SuperLiga
- 4th place in Group B
Average attendance
| Year | Reg. Season | Playoffs |
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| 1996 | 12,878 | 7,754 |
| 1997 | 9,058 | 10,174 |
| 1998 | 8,073 | DNQ |
| 1999 | 8,183 | DNQ |
| 2000 | 9,112 | 8,243 |
| 2001 | 10,954 | 5,803 |
| 2002 | 12,255 | 9,484 |
| 2003 | 15,573 | 10,712 |
| 2004 | 14,819 | 10,977 |
| 2005 | 9,691 | DNQ |
| 2006 | 11,083 | DNQ |
| 2007 | 11,586 | 12,442 |
| 2008 | 10,686 | 10,385 |
| 2009 | 10,053 | DNQ |
References
- ↑ "Wizards unveil new look for '08 season," Kansas City Wizards Media Relations, January 20, 2008.
- ↑ Luder, Bob (July 19, 2006). Gansler out as Wizards head coach. Kansas City Star
- ↑ Luder, Bob (August 31, 2006). Wizards sold to local group, will remain in area. Kansas City Star
- ↑ Kansas adjusts offer aimed at spurring Cerner, Wizards development near speedway, The Kansas City Star, December 08, 2009.
- ↑ Heineman provides stadium update, KC Wizards Official Website.
- ↑ Hillcrest Road - RH Stadium Update, OnGoal CEO/Wizards President Robb Heineman gives an update on the progress of the stadium project.
- ↑ Hillcrest Road - Yellow Machines on Site, Equipment from Clarkson Construction showed up at the future site of the stadium in KCK.
- ↑ Work starts on Kansas City Wizards stadium, Kansas City Business Journal - by Rob Roberts.
- ↑ Stadium Approval News, KC Wizards Official Website.
- ↑ Stadium Ground Breaking, Wizards Official Blog.
- ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/players/kansas-city-wizards
- ↑ http://www.kcwizards.com/news/2010/08/hohlbein-loaned-miami-fc
- ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/kansas-city-announce-signing-dp-omar-bravo
External links
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