As the Kansas City Wizards head to Argentina for the next 2-1/2 weeks, they hope to get more comfortable -- to make second nature -- their transition to a new 3-5-2 formation.
As with most new ventures, there was initial success for the Wizards, followed by a few stumbles backwards, as they played with the new scheme in the Florida portion of their training camp from Feb. 1-16.
"The Florida trip was definitely our experimental phase," said forward Scott Sealy. "We tried it down there with mixed results. We beat the [U.S.] U-17s (3-0), [were] almost slaughtered against the Crew (0-4), and then we put in a good performance against D.C. (1-1), but stumbled against Toronto (0-2)."
The early results were predictable for the new implementation, especially considering rookie Chance Myers is trying to find his way in MLS as a starter and that many Wizards are not familiar with the requirements and possibilities of the new system.
An interim week of training at home between the Wizards ventures closed out the initial phase, and now the Wizards are ready to make the next step.
"[The 3-5-2 implementation] is going very well. [Center back Jimmy Conrad has] done a good job of organization things in the back, and I think we've solved some of the issues that can be in that system," said Wizards head coach Curt Onalfo. "Now it's just a matter of continuing that and making sure we continue to create the chances we created last year so we can be a dangerous team and a team that's hard to play against all year."
Onalfo's objectives for the Argentina trip are clear.
"I want to continue getting our guys more and more comfortable playing a 3-5-2, incorporate more of our set pieces stuff we've been working on, and just getting game fit and making better decisions solving issues in games," said Onalfo. "It's a real competitive part of our preseason training."
With the team defense rounding into form, the Wizards energies might focus more on the attack while in Argentina, especially with new acquisition Ivan Trujillo expected to join the team in training.
The Colombian forward will provide competition and some needed depth on a frontline that has seen the departure of 15-goal scorer Eddie Johnson to Fulham of the English Premier League and a string of injuries to Sealy, their top returning forward. Last season, the Trinidad & Tobago international was limited to 18 regular season games due to various leg ailments.
"In Florida, I was able to train and play for the most part, and then in the final game [my quadriceps] sort of felt sore and tightened up a bit, so I backed off to make sure I don't do any damage," Sealy said. "I'm taking it easy and making sure I stay on top of things health-wise this year because last year wasn't easy coming back from all the injuries. That's my main focus -- to stay healthy and do the right things to stay on the field for the duration."
Sealy and Trujillo will look to make a partnership, but more competition for the two starting spots could be coming.
On Wednesday, the Kansas City Star reported a confirmation of ongoing negotiations with two-time World Cup veteran Argentinean forward Claudio Lopez. The 33-year-old returned last season to Racing in Argentina, tallying 10 goals in 33 matches after scoring 97 goals in 215 top-league games in Spain, Italy and Mexico for Valencia, Lazio and Club America respectively.
"We're in talks," Vermes said to the Star. "We're working on an agreement. But nothing's been signed yet."
Vermes hopes to consummate a deal for Lopez so the attacker can join the team in Argentina.
Perhaps even better news than the strengthening of their forwards is the news concerning playmaker Carlos Marinelli. The Argentinean is returning to his homeland of his birth apparently ready to deliver on the promise Onalfo and Vermes envisioned when they signed him early last season. "Outstanding" was Onalfo's first utterance when asked about the 25-year-old.
"Carlos has come in very, very fit. He's scored a lot of goals in preseason, and he's created a lot of chances," Onalfo said. "He's doing everything we've hoped."
"He's a different guy this year ... he's much more willing to work off the ball and is making himself available from the defenders and really finding good spots to help the team," said Sealy. "This [3-5-2] system is going to help him a lot because he has a lot more freedom to roam and really find the game and create it for the forwards. If that's the case and he does the job we think he's going to do, we'll be happy at the end of the season."
The time spent and the work done in Argentina will certainly impact where the Wizards end their season in November.
"In Argentina, we're going to get a good test against teams that are not familiar with our style of play and everyone's tendencies," said Sealy. "So it's going to be a better test to determine whether [the new formation is] working or not. This trip is coming at a very good time, and hopefully we'll put the pieces together over there."
Bob Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
