Kansas City is known for its barbeque, but you can add a new taste to the town courtesy of its soccer team. With the addition of Colombian forward Ivan Trujillo and one-time Argentinean hero Claudio Lopez, the Kansas City Wizards have added not only depth to their side, but some succulent possibilities and some spicy personalities.
The result was evident on the Wizards first day of training back at home after a successful 18-day trip to Argentina, when the club won five and tied twice in their eight exhibition matches.
"There are a lot of reasons for it," said head coach Curt Onalfo of the buzz that seemed to surround the team. "We have great owners. We have a well-functioning technical side of our organization. We've signed players that can help us. Any time that you do that -- the players aren't stupid, they recognize things immediately -- it gives you more credibility amongst the players. When you bring in pieces that seem to be working out, all of the sudden people believe in things even more than before."
The trip and the two additions joining the team in Argentina have made team captain Jimmy Conrad a believer.
"The trip to Argentina was very beneficial on a lot of fronts. First, finalizing our roster and knowing who we were going to have on our team this year [was crucial], and now, having the opportunity to play with someone of Claudio Lopez's caliber is very exciting," said the nine-year MLS veteran. "His level of quality and class will hopefully permeate through the rest of the team."
Having lost 15-goal scorer Eddie Johnson to Fulham of the English Premier League in the offseason, the Wizards players had reason to wonder if the vaunted attack of last year could be rekindled. But now the ingredients are in place. Adding Lopez intensifies the play of schemer and countryman Carlos Marinelli giving a distinct flair to the attack. The robustness and vivor of Trujillo's target-forward mentality and finishing capability provide a sharp thrust at the end.
And already the triumvirate is beginning to connect.
"We've made two great additions to our attack [in Lopez and Trujillo]. Adding their style of play will help Carlos -- they fit in with his style more," said defender Tyson Wahl. "You kind of notice in practice when those three are around, they're on the same page."
Inspired to join the Wizards after hearing good things and seeing them make their way to the Western Conference Championship last season, the 25-year-old Trujillo is further spurred on by Lopez.
"It's an honor to play with a player like Claudio Lopez. I hope to learn a lot from Claudio," he said through an interpreter. "I'm looking forward to playing side-by-side with him and hopefully scoring a lot of goals."
Lopez returned the compliment to Trujillo, who has scored 25 goals in 88 games with various clubs throughout Colombia.
"[Ivan and I] are starting to get to know each other and our style of play. He's a very intelligent player," Lopez said. "The more we practice and play together, the more we do well."
Optimism is running high now, but each player will have to adjust to the physically demanding style of MLS.
"Our league is very competitive, very athletic. It's kind of like 100 miles an hour, where in other parts of the world there is a little bit more of a rhythm to the game," said Onalfo.
For Lopez, the adjustment may take longer having not played a competitive match since December.
"He is not 100 percent game fit ... It's going to take a while to get him acclimated. But he'll be able to help us in the meantime playing less minutes [than a full 90]," Onalfo said. "I do think he's exceptional physically and a great pro and has kept himself extremely fit."
The influx of Lopez and Trujillo adds to the international flavor of Kansas City's frontline and provides the needed depth for the season that will stretch hopefully deep into November; furthermore, the fight for playing time is now on.
"There is good competition all the way through," said Onalfo. "[Argentinean Eloy] Colombano is similar to Lopez in that they are underneath, fast forwards, and Trujillo is a real target, strong-type forward. Scotty [Sealy, from Trinidad & Tobago] can do both. Scott can be a target forward and he also has the speed to be making runs, so that gives him a little bit more leverage as well and more value to our team."
The hope is that the personalities of Lopez and Trujillo combine well on the field with their new teammates to produce a rewarding mix, just as they have off the field just via their language.
"We have a bunch of guys this year that speak Spanish, and some of the American players are learning as we go when we were down in Argentina," said goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. "At the end of the day, it's an international game and an international language, so [Lopez and Trujillo] have jumped right in. They're great personalities; they're characters of the highest regard. It's going to be really easy for us to get together in the next three weeks."
Shortly after Trujillo admitted being numbed by the lingering Midwest winter and joking that he would ask for the day off if it snowed, Lopez was engaging in banter with Conrad.
"It's a great group of guys. We have a lot of fun, and I'm happy to be here," Lopez said.
And more revealing, Lopez gave his on-field estimate.
"The team is very focused; they have goals," he said. "Everyone is very structured and goal-orientated. There is definitely potential here."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
