There are any number of reasons for the excitement surrounding the Kansas City Wizards these days. But as the club has moved to the top of the MLS overall standings after three weeks of the season, much of that buzz stems from the growing influence of the compelling young players who are making an impact again and again.
In the season opening 2-0 shutout of D.C. United, defenders Jonathan Leathers, Michael Harrington and Tyson Wahl, along with midfielder Ryan Pore, all played a big role. As the Wizards have followed with a win against Colorado and a draw with defending MLS Cup champion Houston, players such as defender Chance Myers and midfielders Roger Espinoza and Kurt Morsink have increasingly played a part. The average age of this evolving core of the future is 22 years old.
Harrington, Wahl, Leathers and Myers have all seen significant time on the Wizards backline in matches thus far, with Wahl and Harrington starting all four. With right back Myers recovered from turf toe, Leathers has dropped out of the starting eleven. But if needed, the quartet could compose a solid backline for Kansas City. And it doesn't include 22-year-old Aaron Hohlbein, a U.S. under-23 national team player who saw considerable time last year.
"Often, in games like [the scoreless draw with Houston], with young players you can get burned. The fact that they found a way to stay in it and didn't have any letdowns is a real positive," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo.
Onalfo and technical director Peter Vermes are the architects of the Wizards roster and when discussing their young contingent, they gleam. Both are bent on making sure that talent evolves.
"We have an extremely good young crew. We've drafted well over the last two years, and we have to continue developing them," said Onalfo.
Espinoza has perhaps been the most startling of the young corps recently. Debuting in the second half of last Wednesday's 3-1 loss to the New England Revolution, then starting against Houston on the left side of midfield, the Ohio State University product has displayed superlative speed, natural fluidity in movement and strong tactical awareness, not to mention resiliency.
"It's just nice to have a player on the left side of midfield that has the ability to pass the ball, the ability to get good service into the box, and just make good soccer decisions on both sides of the ball," said Onalfo. "I mean, he's a rookie. He didn't miss a beat, you know. The guy broke his foot two weeks into preseason. ... [I'm] extremely pleased with his performance. He's another good signing for us."
Espinoza admits the 79 minutes in the start against the Dynamo were a challenge, but a welcome one.
"Most of my life I've played left midfield. Right now, it's kind of tough," he said. "I hadn't played there in a while since I broke my ankle. I was getting tired there at the end, but it was good."
Seeing time in all four matches, whether as a substitute or starter, has been Morsink. And although his contributions are bit more workmanlike than Espinoza's, the midfielder has been just as much of a star.
Holding down the midfield with veteran Kerry Zavagnin against the strong sides the Wizards have faced is no easy feat. Strong tackling and the endurance to get up and down field are some of the demanding traits. Throw in playmaking, as Morsink had to do against Houston after attacking midfielder Carlos Marinelli went off with a hamstring strain, and he's a complete player at age 23.
Morsink, who grabbed a lion's share of time last season in the playoffs, preferred to deflect any accolades, for a bit anyway.
"We can't play all these young guys without having a great group of veterans to coach us and lead us," he said. "But that being said, the young guys come, we listen, we work hard everyday, and it showed well [Saturday against Houston]."
"[The strength of the young guys] is good for our team because it keeps guys sharp and we don't have to be concerned, if a guy goes down, how we're going to adjust our team," said Zavagnin. "During the course of this long season, it's going to take 20-22 guys who can step out on the field and do the job."
And even though the initial buzz of the Wizards' quick 2-0 start has worn off a bit, the future buzz for the club is virtually guaranteed. The only question might be how long it will be before Espinoza, Morsink and company permanently make up the vast majority of the starting 11 for Kansas City.
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
