July 1 is the date at which MLS player contracts become guaranteed, and last week's release of Eloy Colombano by the Kansas City Wizards not only opened up a senior international roster spot, but some salary cap room as well.
The door is now open for the addition of a substantial player who could possibly influence the Wizards rising out of the Eastern Conference cellar. And that player could be a familiar face.
Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo said the club was looking to fill the roster vacancy.
"I don't want to comment on who, but as always, we are looking to enhance our team whether it's through trades or players that we can bring into our team," Onalfo said.
MLS's secondary transfer window opens July 15, giving teams multiple tools to bring in players. With players like former U.S. international and MLS forward Brian McBride making news from his stated intention to rejoin MLS after a stellar stint in England with premiership side Fulham, similar possibilities join the conversation. One such player is U.S. international and former Wizards forward Josh Wolff.
The 31-year-old Wolff is now out of contract after spending the two seasons with 2.Bundesliga side (second division) 1860 Munich in Germany, where he scored two goals in 34 appearances. Before fulfilling his desire to play in Europe, Wolff spent nine seasons in MLS, including his last four in Kansas City. While with the Wizards, Wolff scored 27 goals and gave out 20 assists in 80 matches and was a main cog that led the Wizards to MLS Cup 2004.
"I coached Josh on the national team," said Onalfo. "He was a guy that we tried to sign when I first took the job, but he decided to go overseas. I'll just leave it at that."
Considering the Wizards' standing as the lowest scoring team in MLS, tied with San Jose with just 10 goals on the year, a forward certainly could be a prime target. If so, one with speed is of interest. Although the Wizards have added quality in Argentinean World Cup veteran Claudio Lopez and Colombian Ivan Trujillo, the loss of pace up front due to Eddie Johnson's flight to Fulham is being felt.
"There's no doubt about it, Eddie kept people honest. Teams used to play differently against us because of him. ... Speed is something you can't teach, and speed can change the outcome of games," said Onalfo.
K.C.'s technical director Peter Vermes certainly agreed.
"The quicker your team is all over the field, the better you are in a lot of different perspectives. Do we want some speed? Sure," Vermes said. "With speed, instead of teams compacting the field, they have to be concerned if they leave too much space behind, that guy can get in there. If somebody presented themselves with a lot of speed, for sure we're going after it."
But all possibilities are on the table.
"We're keeping our options open. There is a lot of talk in the league right now with July 1 coming, and all of the things happening around the league," said Vermes. "Everybody is looking to make some changes. We'll see."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
