When MLS Commissioner Don Garber opens the 2008 SuperDraft on Friday at the Baltimore Convention Center, he will begin proceedings by announcing "the Kansas City Wizards are on the clock." Or maybe not.
On Tuesday, the Wizards obtained the first overall pick from the San Jose Earthquakes in exchange for eight-year defender Nick Garcia. But instead of taking the top player available in the incoming player pool, that sought after top pick might be traded away before the draft begins, or while the Wizards are on the clock. Or perhaps technical director Peter Vermes or head coach Curt Onalfo will need to call a time out to begin the draft. They are certainly open to discussion.
"The release was just official [yesterday] from us and San Jose and phone calls are starting to come in and people are wanting to talk," said Vermes. "It would be irresponsible on [our] organization's part not to hear what opportunities are out there, but we're going to have to make that decision case by case. There are some guys in the draft that we really do like, and we'll weigh those against other options if they come along."
To some, the trade of Garcia, who partnered with Jimmy Conrad in the center of the backline, shows confidence in up-and-comers Aaron Hohlbein and Tyson Wahl, who started four games each last season in the back for Kansas City. In addition, Hohlbein was called into the U-23 U.S. national team camp in December by head coach Peter Nowak with qualifying for the Beijing Olympics on the horizon in a couple of months.
"We have quite a few guys who can play in multiple positions. That was proven this year," said Vermes, indicating Jack Jewsbury, who switched to right back; Davy Arnaud, who took up at right midfield; and Michael Harrington, who switched to left back from the midfield late in the season. "Players have adjusted very well to this team. Our contention has always been that we want to get guys who can play in multiple positions. So that's where we are."
Beyond talk of the No. 1 pick, the Wizards could also be looking outside the club to fill Garcia's spot and make the roster more flexible. Vermes told the Kansas City Star that "he was 'pretty sure' at least one, perhaps two, more transactions would take place [Wednesday]." The first of those came Wednesday afternoon when left back Jose Burciaga Jr., who lost his spot to Harrington late in the season, was traded to the Colorado Rapids for a 2009 SuperDraft pick.
With the apparent impending transfer of 15-goal scorer Eddie Johnson to Fulham of the English Premier League, the Wizards could also be in the market for a forward or two. There are a few prospects in the draft such as Patrick Nyarko, a forward who scored 31 goals and assisted on 24 others in 57 games for Virginia Tech and led the Hokies their first NCAA semifinal appearance last fall.
But the Wizards are looking beyond the draft too: forward Ivan Trujillo of Colombian side Deportivo Cali is a man of interest to the club.
"He's a player that we've been talking to, but we don't have an official deal done yet. He's someone we've been looking at for some time," said Vermes of the 25-year-old Trujillo.
Finalizing deals in any way, shape, or form is not easy. Case in point: Johnson's deal with Fulham, a deal that if it goes through, will impact the Wizards' moves.
"What I've maintained is that there were other teams that were involved in discussions with Eddie. They have to come to an agreement for something to say, 'Hey, we have a done deal with Fulham,'" said Vermes. "To say that there is a done deal, I've never been in the position to say that. ... I'd like to be able to say, 'Yes, there is.' or 'No, there is not.' so I'd know how to plan the rest of my week. But right now, I can't do that. There are a lot of things that can fall through the ice with these things."
One way or the other, expect the Wizards organization to be busy the rest of the week.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
