For 10 years, Kevin Hartman played in goal for his hometown Los Angeles Galaxy. While there, he won five titles, became one of the top shot-stoppers in the United States, and cultivated many relationships with teammates and fans alike.
This past weekend, for the first time after being traded before the 2007 MLS season started, the Palos Verdes, Calif. native returned to the Galaxy's Home Depot Center wearing another team's colors. Even though Hartman was disappointed that his Kansas City Wizards didn't earn a victory in the 2-2 tie on Saturday, the trip -- despite some initial trepidation -- was a personal success.
"I was excited and interested to see how I was going to be treated when I got back there," said Hartman.
In December 2006, the Galaxy traded for goalkeeper Joe Cannon, a two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year then with the Colorado Rapids. Two weeks later Hartman, the 1999 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, was dealt to Kansas City for two MLS second-round SuperDraft picks. Being sent away by an organization that one has done so much for is grounds for hard feelings.
"As a professional athlete, you have to be prepared to move, and you have to be able to ply your trade wherever it is that you go. I don't have any animosity towards the L.A. organization. It was a great opportunity while I was there. I have a lot of respect for Joe as a goalkeeper, and he's somebody I've called a friend ..., " Hartman said. "He had the opportunity to go to L.A. It's a great position; I was there for 10 years, and I really relished it while I was there. ... He's somebody that I respect, so I don't really have any animosity towards him."
The amiable Hartman hoped for the same in return.
"I'm sure he had a lot of emotion going back there seeing a lot of guys he had played with, but, in the same sense, for 10 years time, there is a lot of fans and a lot of support there for him," said Wizards teammate Sasha Victorine, himself a five-year Galaxy member. "He wanted to do well, and he had a lot of pressure on him for that game. But I thought he did well."
Hartman's performance last Saturday was a good one, especially in the 23rd minute when he extended to the right to knock away Galaxy midfielder Kelly Gray's 25-yard shot. During and afterwards, Hartman's reception was a good one as well.
"It was actually very, very classy. I was well received," he said. "I didn't really hear anything negative out of the stands. Everything seemed very, very positive about how I was missed."
Breakfast with his parents was the only extended interaction Hartman had with any of his family or former teammates, but he was able to find time for some good-natured visits.
"I joked around with Cobi [Jones] a little bit after the game. I think Gavin Glinton knocked the ball out of my hands at one point, and I was messing around with him on a corner kick," Hartman said. "They're all good guys. It's tough keeping up with them in a situation like that at the end of a game. I look forward to getting back there in the offseason, seeing them, and hanging out with them a little bit more."
Although nostalgic on the past, Hartman is wild on his present and future with his new club.
"I've really enjoyed my time here; it's been breath of fresh air for me. I relish this opportunity here in Kansas City. I'm excited about the team that I play around," said Hartman. "I miss my friends in L.A. I miss my family in Los Angeles. I miss the fans there. But I've gotten an opportunity to meet new great fans, I've got some new great friends here in Kansas City, and I'm really excited about the direction my life is. I have a great 8-month old and a great wife. I couldn't be more content."
As the Galaxy struggle to find their feet during this 2007 season, Hartman is focused on his team's plight. The Wizards are tied for third in the East, but are winless in their last six after seeing their two-goal lead evaporate last weekend in Carson.
"For me, [the visit] was a great come back," he reflected. "I wish we would have won, but there is a lesson there that hopefully we take with us through the rest of the season."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
