The only two-time Most Valuable Player in Major League Soccer history, Preki will be retiring from professional soccer after the 2005 season is complete.
Born Predrag Radosavljevic, the now 42-year-old Yugoslavia native brought instant recognition from fans across the country to Major League Soccer when announced as one of the original allocations for the then-Kansas City Wiz before the league's inaugural season in 1996. And his talent has wowed many since then.
A legendary indoor player in the Major Indoor Soccer League and a three-season veteran of top English leagues before joining the Wizards, Preki used his superlative-inspiring left foot and his quick mind equipped with broad vision to earn numerous accolades, including being chosen to the MLS Best XI side four times, the latest in 2003, when he also won his second MVP award.
"I was not around [K.C.] in the early days, but I was a fan of Major League Soccer and followed it very closely working in the USL and the A-League and all that. The Wizards were identifiable in part through Preki," said Kansas City Wizards general manager Curt Johnson.
"For someone 1,500 miles away and watching games on TV, I certainly knew the name of Preki and his past. Seeing him playing in MLS, there was a level of excellence there -- his on-field performance connected with fans. That was a huge part of the early period of getting us on the map in this community and throughout America."
When it comes to mentioning the elite playmakers in MLS history -- players such as Marco Etcheverry, Peter Nowak, Mauricio Cienfuegos and Carlos Valderrama -- Preki is certainly in their company. But in many ways he has surpassed them all.
Currently second on the all-time assists list with 112, two behind Valderrama, Preki is the only one of the five who is also in the top 10 all-time in goals with 78 -- sixth-most in MLS. The total includes four seasons with double-digit finishes and a high of 18 goals in 1996. Etcheverry is closest with 34 for his career.
When asked to compare Preki with the aforementioned legends, Wizards head coach Bob Gansler had much to say about the one who outlasted them all -- even returning for his 10th season after suffering a broken leg and dislocated ankle during the 2004 preseason.
"He's every bit as good. Every one of those gentlemen had their own strengths and made a particular contribution to the teams they played on," Gansler said. "Preki has been extremely valuable to Kansas City and has earned a couple of trophies that underscore that. It's not just about playing -- it's also about being successful and winning."
Preki considered retirement after sitting out all but two matches last season, but the desire to play was still strong. However, his 13 appearances this season have him wanting more.
"I would like to be a main part of the team ... I've shown every time I step on the field that I can contribute. So I just put it in his hands what [Gansler's] going to do. I just want to make it difficult for him not to pick me to play," Preki said.
"It's been frustrating for me not to be more involved. Life goes on. I'm ready to play when I'm called to play. Hopefully that will be the case in the last [three] games and the playoffs. Hopefully I can help the team -- that's my main goal. I would like to retire on a high note."
As the Wizards head into their final three games, and hopefully the playoffs, the thankful Preki hopes another highlight can be added to his eventful career. Certainly a second MLS Cup would compete for his favorite moment.
"I won a championship with my club in Serbia in my younger days, I played in England, [there have been] national team games -- the special moment being the goal I scored versus Brazil. There's the championship [MLS Cup] here in 2000, one of the wonderful moments I had in my career. I really can't think through so many games and so many seasons. It's really tough to pick one over the other," he said.
"I know my most disappointing season was last year when I didn't play. And then there's this one, half-and-half. Apart from that, I can thank God and people who have been supporting me and my family through my whole life. I've been gifted or blessed with the physical ability to play and the mental toughness to sustain this many years in the game."
After enhancing so many lives with his wondrous abilities, one can only hope to see his last season last as long as possible.
"My biggest strength is my mental ability -- I think I'm very tough mentally," Preki said. "I've never quit. I'm ready to compete; I love to play."
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
