Wizards name 2007 team awards

Forward Eddie Johnson Named Honda Most Valuable Player and Budweiser Golden Boot Winner
Defender Jimmy Conrad Named Defender of the Year
Midfielder Michael Harrington Named Rookie of the Year
Defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. Named U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
Midfielder Davy Arnaud Captures Kansas City Wizards Heart Award
Forward Ryan Pore Named KCW Reserve Team Player of the Year

(October 26, 2007) - The 2007 season was a successful campaign in which the Wizards reached the playoffs for the first time since 2004 under first-year Technical Director Peter Vermes and Head Coach Curt Onalfo. Kansas City increased its win total over 2006 in two less games played and introduced an exciting, attack-first brand of soccer that provided an entertaining on-field product.

Kansas City also made huge organizational strides off the field. The Wizards instituted a youth development program for the first time in team history. The KCW Juniors will field U-15, U-16 and U-17 teams in 2007-2008 that will begin training November 1. The U-17 squad finished 2nd in their first ever competition, the Soccer United Marketing U-17 Cup held in conjunction with the 2007 MLS All-Star Game in Commerce City, Colorado. The U-17s beat several established teams just one month after the program's formation. OnGoal, the new ownership group, constructed a state-of-the-art training facility at Swope Park with two full-sized grass practice fields. A third artificial-turf field is currently under construction for first-team and KCW Juniors training sessions and community use.

The following players have been chosen as the Wizards 2007 Team Award winners by media members:

Honda Most Valuable Player and Budweiser Golden Boot - F Eddie Johnson

New Head Coach Curt Onalfo had seen forward Eddie Johnson's best while working as an assistant with the U.S. National Team and knew he could provide Johnson the coaching and guidance needed for a return to form after a 2006 season in which he scored only two goals in 19 matches. Johnson responded from the first day of training and carried that positive attitude and quality play into the regular season. Johnson's team-leading 15 goals and six assists earned him the Wizards Budweiser Golden Boot. His overall contribution to Kansas City's playoff appearance made him Kansas City's Honda MVP.

In Johnson's first game of 2007, he scored a goal and added two assists while taking another shot that led to a rebound goal. Johnson was awarded MLS Player of the Week honors for the performance and never looked back. Johnson went on to win MLS Player of the Month in April and two more Player of the Week Awards. Johnson became the first player in league history to record back-to-back hat tricks (May 26 at New England and June 2 vs. New York) and finished with a league-high six game-winning goals. Johnson proved remarkably durable though suffering a career-high 57 fouls. Johnson only missed games while representing the United States in the CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America competitions in June and July. He was one of only nine players to represent the U.S. in both competitions. Overall, he appeared in 10 games for Bob Bradley's side and scored two goals in 2007. Johnson will also merit consideration for two MLS awards: Honda MVP and Comeback Player of the Year.

2007 Statistics

GP: 24

GS: 24

MIN: 2149

G: 15

A: 6

SHT: 75

SOG: 43

FC: 21

FS: 57

OFF: 50

CK: 0

C: 6

E: 0

Season Rankings

• Named 2007 Team MVP and Golden Boot Winner.

• Finished 1st on team and 1st in MLS with 6 game-winning goals.

• Finished 1st on team and 1st in MLS with 2 hat tricks.

• Finished 1st on team and 4th in MLS with career-high 15 goals.

• Finished 1st on team and t-3rd in MLS with 3 multi-goal games.

• Finished 1st on team and 7th in MLS with career-high 75 shots.

• Finished 1st on team and 5th in MLS with career-high 43 shots on goal.

• Finished 2nd on team and 7th in MLS with career-high 57 fouls suffered.

• Finished 3rd on team with career-high 6 assists.

Defender of the Year - D Jimmy Conrad

Defender Jimmy Conrad has been one of Major League Soccer's steadiest performers since joining the Wizards in 2003. In his second season with the club, he anchored a defense that propelled Kansas City to its second MLS Cup championship game and first-ever Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. Conrad has maintained that high level of play, once again anchoring a solid defense that has put the Wizards back in the playoffs for the first time since 2004.

Conrad served as team captain and defensive leader throughout the 2007 campaign, pairing with Nick Garcia to make one of most formidable center back duos in the league. Conrad was named to his fourth-consecutive all-star team, starting and playing all 90 minutes of a 2-0 victory over Scottish power Celtic FC. Conrad was a prominent member of the U.S. National Team in 2007. He started six games for the Red, White and Blue and scored the game-winning goal against archrival Mexico on February 7.

2007 Statistics

GP: 25

GS: 25

MIN: 2172

G: 0

A: 0

SHT: 13

SOG: 2

FC: 23

FS: 20

OFF: 1

CK: 0

C: 4

E: 1

Rookie of the Year - M/D Michael Harrington

Kansas City Wizards rookie Michael Harrington joined the club in January with high expectations. As the 3rd overall pick the in 2007 SuperDraft, Harrington came into camp as a strong contender for playing time. Harrington seized the opportunity immediately, earning a starting spot at left midfield for the season opener and scoring a goal just three minutes into his debut. At the time, it was the fastest-ever goal to begin an MLS career.

Harrington kept up his strong form throughout the year, missing only one game due to illness and starting a rookie-high 27 matches. Harrington proved his versatility throughout the season, starting first at left midfield and later transitioning to left back. Harrington often switched positions during a match to give Kansas City's attack a new dynamic. Harrington was consistently one of the best rookies in MLS and finished in the top 4 among rookies in every major statistical category.

2007 Statistics

GP: 29

GS: 27

MIN: 2422

G: 3

A: 4

SHT: 15

SOG: 9

FC: 38

FS: 26

OFF: 7

CK: 2

C: 1

E: 0

Season Rankings: Among MLS rookies

• 1st in games played (29).

• 1st in minutes played (2,422).

• t-1st in games started (27).

• t-2nd in assists (4).

• 4th in goals (3).

Season Rankings: Among teammates

• Finished t-2nd on team with 29 games played.

• Finished 4th on team with 2,422 minutes played.

• Finished 4th on team with 27 games started.

• Finished t-5th on team with 3 goals.

• Finished t-5th on team with 4 assists.

U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year - D Jose Luis Burciaga, Jr.

Defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. has been a stand-up community presence since he joined the Wizards in 2001, but his efforts during 2007 have surpassed anything he previously accomplished. During 2007, Burciaga started a foundation designed to encourage young people to stay in school and use athletics as a positive force under difficult circumstances.

Over an August bye weekend, Burciaga ran a clinic in New Orleans in association with the U.S. Soccer Foundation's Passback program. The clinic, attended by over 100 kids, was designed to teach soccer to underprivileged children ages 6-16 in New Orleans. Burciaga was the only MLS player present, as volunteers from the U.S. Soccer Foundation, Western Union and area youth coaches assisted with the program.

Burciaga also had a strong presence through his foundation and other activities at the Guadalupe Center in Kansas City, Kansas. The Guadalupe Center is a community center in the heart of Kansas City's Latino core that provides services ranging from after-school youth programming to cultural enrichment classes for the elderly. It is one of the oldest social service organizations in the country geared toward the Hispanic community and has been one of Burciaga's favorite vehicles for reaching out to the citizens of Kansas City. He has made numerous visits to the Guadalupe Center in his career with the Wizards.

Kansas City Wizards Heart Award - M Davy Arnaud

The Wizards introduced a new team award in 2007: the Kansas City Wizards Heart Award. The Heart Award will be given annually to the player who demonstrates superior passion, determination and effort throughout the season. Midfielder Davy Arnaud personified these characteristics throughout the 2007 campaign.

Arnaud was asked to take on various roles for the Wizards this year. Arnaud started as a right-sided midfielder, but was thrust into a starting forward position due to Scott Sealy injuries and Eddie Johnson national team duty. Arnaud performed steadily at forward no matter whom his strike partner was, scoring four goals and hitting the post six times. Later in the year, Arnaud shifted back to his midfield role, even serving as an attacking midfielder when called upon due to injuries and suspensions. Arnaud led the Wizards in four different categories, including a career-high nine assists.

2007 Statistics

GP: 28

GS: 28

MIN: 2489

G: 4

A: 9

SHT: 74

SOG: 29

FC: 46

FS: 63

OFF: 9

CK: 61

C: 6

E: 1

Season Rankings

• Finished 1st on team and t-5th in MLS with career-high 9 assists.

• Finished 1st on team and 4th in MLS with 63 fouls suffered.

• Finished 1st on team and 6th in MLS with 61 corner kicks taken.

• Finished t-1st on team with 2 game-winning assists.

• Finished 2nd on team and 7th in MLS with 74 shots.

• Finished 3rd on team with 28 games started.

• Finished 3rd on team with 2489 minutes played.

• Finished 5th on team with 28 games played.

Kansas City Wizards Reserve Team Player of the Year - F Ryan Pore

Kansas City Wizards forward Ryan Pore demonstrated again in 2007 Reserve Division competition that he is one of the most promising young attacking players in MLS. Pore led the KCW Reserves with seven goals and three assists over 10 games. Pore now has 22 goals in reserve competition over the last three years. He has led the KCW Reserves in goals in each of the last three seasons. He played both forward and outside midfield for the Reserves and the first team.

2007 Reserve Statistics

GP: 10

GS: 10

MIN: 821

G: 7

A: 3

C: 1

E: 0

• Named 2007 KCW Reserve Player of the Year.

• Led reserve team in goals.

• Finished 2nd on reserves in assists.

2007 MLS Statistics