Kansas City Wizards
Arrowhead Stadium (Capacity: 79,451)
2006 Record: 10-14-8, 38 points (5th in Eastern Conference)
GF: 43 (6th in MLS)
GA: 45 (10th in MLS)
Finish: Did not make MLS Cup Playoffs
Head Coach: Curt Onalfo (1st year)
Key Departures: Josh Wolff, Bo Oshoniyi, Will Hesmer, Dave van den Bergh
Key Additions: Kevin Hartman
PROJECTED STARTING LINEUP
GOALKEEPER
Kevin Hartman: Although Hartman sat out the last two weeks of preseason due to injury, Onalfo is confident the former Galaxy netminder will be ready for the season. If not, backup Eric Kronberg, who has performed very well, provides a solid option.
DEFENDERS
Jack Jewsbury: His smoothness on the ball, 6-foot frame and strong shot from outside the box makes him a worthwhile project at right back after playing mostly in the midfield or up front in his first four seasons.
Nick Garcia: Part of arguably the best center back tandem in MLS, he and Jimmy Conrad will will look to tighten the Wizards' defense this season after a troubling 2006. Garcia has missed only 14 games over his seven-year career in MLS.
Jimmy Conrad: The MLS Defender of the Year in 2005, Conrad could miss a significant number of matches due to CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America duty. With the trade of Shavar Thomas, there is little experienced cover here on the roster.
Jose Burciaga Jr.: Burciaga earned his first MLS Best XI selection last season after finishing as the Wizards' second-leading scorer with eight goals.
MIDFIELDERS
Davy Arnaud: "I believe Davy Arnaud can be one of the best wide midfielders in the league," Onalfo said. The Wizards will need him to surpass his four goals of a year ago.
Kerry Zavagnin: Along with Sasha Victorine, the Wizards' midfield pair are wise veteran leaders energized by the changes instituted by the new owners and coaching staff. Zavagnin remains on the cusp of national team duty.
Sasha Victorine: After starting last season at right back, Victorine filled a variety of roles for then-coach Bob Gansler, but eventually settled into a central midfield role while scoring three goals in 31 appearances.
Michael Harrington: The third overall selection in the SuperDraft in January, the University of North Carolina product and Generation adidas player has won a starting job in preseason. "Michael Harrington has done an excellent job as of late. He scored three goals in the preseason at left midfield; he's proven to be pretty dangerous," Onalfo said.
FORWARDS
Scott Sealy: Sealy is an adept finisher who put in 10 goals last season. Trinidad & Tobago will likely call him in for the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Eddie Johnson: Johnson will be depended on to equal or exceed his career high of 12 goals. Said Sasha Victorine: "If [Johnson] doesn't have a good year, I don't think any of us are going to have a good year."
OUTLOOK
The Wizards have the talent to finish in the upper half of the Eastern Conference. But they must eliminate long stretches of poor performances that have plagued them the past two seasons. Without a proven difference maker up front or in the midfield, consistency may be difficult. How they handle any setbacks on the field after two years of not making the playoffs will be critical.
GRADING THE SEASON
Making the playoffs is a must; nothing else will do.
NEWCOMER(S) WITH THE BIGGEST IMPACT
Kevin Hartman, Michael Harrington, or a player to be named later. Hints have been dropped in various areas by Kansas City officials that the Wizards will fill their open international spot in the near future, likely with an attacking midfielder. "I have been really working hard since December [at this]," Onalfo said. "We have a bunch of guys that we have looked at and are working towards. We want to make sure we go after the right person, so we are not rushed by it because we feel we have a god enough team to be successful without adding one of those players, but we are looking very diligently to add a player who can help us in that position."
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
