Jose Burciaga Jr. is a determined soccer player and a determined man. Dropped from the Kansas City Wizards starting lineup late last season, Burciaga was traded last week to the Colorado Rapids for a second-round pick in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft.
"It was something I was expecting, but I didn't really know what to expect," said Burciaga. "I spent seven great years here in Kansas City. I've grown as a person, as a human being, and as a soccer player. It's going to be very hard for me to leave. I've met a lot of great people. Kansas City is always going to be in my heart because this is where it all started for me."
With Burciaga's realization comes disappointment. After sitting out the entirety of 2002 and the better part of 2003 because of ACL surgery on each knee, Burciaga became a solid contributor to the Wizards run to MLS Cup 2004, scoring the first goal in that final.
The 2005 season saw him start 31 of a possible 32 games, then his 2006 season was his breakout year as the left back with a fearsome left boot tallied eight goals and eight assists, was named team MVP, and was counted among the league's Best XI at season's end.
The 2007 campaign, under new head coach Curt Onalfo, began with a focus on shoring up his defensive play to become a more complete player. But on Oct. 13, an unspectacular season for Burciaga came unhinged.
"I know I messed up in the game against New York," said Burciaga of his handball and stumble that led to two Red Bulls goals. "But I don't think you take a seven-year veteran out when you really need him."
The Wizards were embroiled in a fight to make the playoffs and the resulting 2-1 loss to the Red Bulls hurt. Afterwards, Burciaga saw little of the field.
"Not taking anything away from Michael (Harrington, who moved to left back from midfield) -- he's a great young player. Just me having the experience ... if you look at my stats, the majority of my goals have been game-winners, also game-tying goals," said Burciaga. "I'm that player who can come off the bench. ... I can also create, make the pass."
As the Wizards slid into the playoffs, where they rose to the Western Conference Championship, Burciaga saw only eight minutes on the field, in the second leg at Chivas USA, helping seal a first round series upset.
Aware of Burciaga's considerable abilities, Onalfo believes dealing Burciaga was the right thing to do for both sides.
"Harrington just turned out to be a younger guy that did very well in the same position. We didn't want to have Jose on our team in a non-starting role, so we sent him to Colorado where he can start," Onalfo said. "He's one of the better left backs in the league, but we feel that we have an outstanding one as well. We wish [Jose] all the luck in the world."
It was a sentiment with which Burciaga agreed.
"[The experience] made me a better player," the Texas native said. "It's good timing for both the organization and myself to part ways. I wish the Kansas City Wizards nothing but the best, except when we play them."
When asked if the Wizards received enough in return for him, Burciaga's pride and desire as a player came out.
"I don't think so, that's just my opinion. But I'm not too busy worrying about what they get. If Colorado can give up less for me, [they] got a good deal, and I'm determined to prove that," the 26-year-old said. "I feel like I'm starting [my rookie season] all over again. I'm excited: new team, new organization, new coach, and new ways of playing. It's going to be good. I talked with coach (Fernando) Clavijo, and he's very excited. I'm excited to go there and help the team in whatever possible way I can.
"Just knowing that there is another team that is willing to bring [me in] is exciting. Colorado is going to be a good change for not only myself but my family," said Burciaga, who has cousins in Colorado.
That family has been extended to include disadvantaged youth in the past year via the establishment of The Jose Luis Burciaga Foundation. Growing the foundation is another target of Burciaga's determination.
"[Kansas City] is where it started, and it's still going to stay there," he said. "I talked to Colorado's general manager, Charles R. Wright, and they are very interested in helping me starting my foundation in Colorado. That's exciting.
"[The foundation] is going better than I thought [it would]. I want to go national with this. We're not even a year old, and we're already going to have two, hopefully, and the third one I'm already in process in Dallas," said Burciaga. "I want to help wherever you see underprivileged kids, Hispanic kids as well. My story -- not growing up with anything - can touch a lot of youth. Staying right by going to school, doing the right things, and working at something you really love and really have the passion for [is what I want to teach]. It's going to be a long run. This won't be the last time you'll hear of me in Kansas City."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
