"The Louse" -- for the challenges his quickness and dribbling ability give the opposition, Lopez began his career in Argentina with Estudiantes and Racing before moving on to La Liga in Spain where he played with Valencia. His career then took him to the Serie A in Italy, where he played with Lazio, then Mexico, where he played for Club America. Most recently, he was with Racing Club in Argentina.
Internationally, Lopez played for Argentina in the 1998 and 2002 FIFA World Cups and on the team that won a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. All told, Lopez has made 58 appearances for his country, scoring 10 goals.
The move to MLS and the Wizards was motivated by many aspects as Lopez said Monday via an interpreter.
"MLS is a very important league, and Kansas City has given me all that I can expect and hope for as a player," said Lopez. "I'm very happy, I'm very excited, and that's why I'm coming to MLS and the Wizards."
However, the deciding factor was "the project" he was presented with by Wizards technical director Peter Vermes, who called Lopez personally. That project is likely the vision of the club's owners -- OnGoal LLC -- to make the Wizards the top club in MLS. Whether it's last year's building of a top training facility, trading up to nab the top pick in the MLS SuperDraft as was done in January, or working diligently to bring a marquee soccer stadium to South Kansas City, the Kansas City Wizards are making a statement despite the fact they will be moving into a shared 10,000-seat baseball stadium for the next two seasons.
"The owners feel that it is extremely important for us to have success on and off the field. ... Claudio is a great player on the field, but we also are hoping that he will help in the marketing aspect as well," said Vermes.
"[But the owners] are more committed to our fanbase and explaining to them that they want to be successful on the field, and whether or not they have 10,000 or 50,000 seats available, they are going to put the best team they can on the field. So committing to this player and getting a designated player this early before moving into the new stadium speaks volumes."
The addition of Lopez increases the depth and, perhaps more importantly, the competition for a starting spot on the Wizards frontline. Only a few weeks ago, Wizards' fans might have wondered where goals would come from after the departure of 15-goal scorer Eddie Johnson to Fulham of the English Premier League, the injury battles for Scott Sealy and the offseason knee surgery to Davy Arnaud.
Now Onalfo can choose his forwards from Lopez, recently-signed Colombian Ivan Trujillo and Lopez's countryman Eloy Colombano, to go along with Sealy, Arnaud and returnee Ryan Pore. In addition, the Wizards have two trialists in camp, Paul Troyano and Andrew DiCicco.
"Competition is the best motivation for players. In one week, our team has changed dramatically. We want to have competition in that spot and it's going to make us a team that is deep and is able to win games consistently. That's what you have to have," Onalfo said.
To some, signing a 33-year-old and paying him designated player money takes some explaining. But it was no problem for Onalfo.
"He's an exceptional athlete, has kept himself extremely fit, he's still extremely fast and a guy who will be able to get behind opposing defenses, and on top of that he has 16 years professional experience having played in two World Cups and in some of the best games in the world," he said. "His age is absolutely not a concern. Hopefully, he can play for us for many years."
Lopez sounded his assurance as well, saying he feels like a 22-year-old.
"I can offer everything that I can give as a player [to the Wizards]," he said, adding that he feels can play for another eight years. "I hope to help the Wizards achieve their goals this year. I'm ready to help the team win and be a part of the team."
Although Lopez is still awaiting his international transfer card and visa to play in the United States, he is currently training with the Wizards who are in Buenos Aires until March 21. Vermes and the Wizards consider the paperwork "a high priority" and are working on it; normally the process takes three weeks, which could land Lopez in Kansas City just in time for the March 29 opener against D.C. United. Then Lopez's mission will commence.
"I'm very thankful to Mr. Vermes and the Kansas City Wizards," Lopez said, "thus I am looking to give back the confidence they have shown in me."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
