The Kansas City Wizards sit in the driver's seat of the 2008 MLS SuperDraft. The Wizards have six selections in the draft, which takes place Friday at 1 p.m. CT live on ESPN 2 for the first hour and after that on mlsnet.com. Kansas City controls the 1st overall selection after acquiring it from the expansion San Jose Earthquakes for veteran defender Nick Garcia earlier in the week.
The Wizards also have the 11th overall selection, two 2nd round picks and one pick each in the 3rd and 4th rounds. Kansas City has never had more than one selection in the 1st round of the draft and hasn't had the 1st overall selection since taking Matt McKeon with the 1st overall pick in the 1996 college draft. In 1996, MLS held three different drafts to stock teams with players. Columbus took Brian McBride with the 1st pick in the "Inaugural Draft" and Kansas City selected McKeon of St. Louis University in the "College Draft", preceding the "Supplemental Draft".
Technical Director Peter Vermes, Head Coach Curt Onalfo and staff will oversee their second SuperDraft since joining the club following the 2006 season. Last year, Kansas City had a successful draft that saw three players contribute significantly to the team:
• 1st Round choice Michael Harrington played in 29 of 30 games at left midfield and left back and was a strong contender for MLS Rookie of the Year for much of the season.
• 4th Round selection Kurt Morsink became an important part of the team as the season went on, eventually playing in 21 regular season games (10 starts) and starting all three playoff games.
• 1st Round Supplemental Draft pick Aaron Hohlbein started the first game of the season for suspended defender Nick Garcia and served as a top reserve at center back.
The 2008 Supplemental Draft will be held next Thursday, January 24. For more information about the 2008 MLS SuperDraft or to submit interview requests, please call Rob Thomson or Kyle Rogers in the Communications Department.
Kansas City Wizards Draft Picks
Rd.: Pick (Overall)
1: 1(1)*
1: 11(11)
2: 9(23)*
2: 11(25)
3: 11(39)
4: 11(53)
Acquired from San Jose Earthquakes for defender Nick Garcia
Acquired from Chivas USA for defender Alex Zotinca
**Originally traded to Los Angeles Galaxy for goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Re-acquired from Galaxy for defender Shavar Thomas
