KANSAS CITY - The Kansas City Wizards announced today the hiring of two members of the Technical staff. Joining the club are Assistant Coach Kris Kelderman and Goalkeeper Coach, Strength and Conditioning coach David Tenney.
"With the addition of these two guys, we've continued with our goal of assembling the finest staff in Major League Soccer," Interim President Robb Heineman said.
Kelderman, most recently the Technical Director at Curt Onalfo Soccer, played for Bruce Arena at the University of Virginia from 1987-90, where he became one of the top-10 all-time leading scorers for the Cavaliers. A member of the 1989 NCAA Champions, Kris was an All-ACC Selection in 1988-89.
"I've known Kris since I was 17," Onalfo said. "He is an extremely hard worker and has an undeniably great ability to see the game tactically and then transfer that on to the players."
Kelderman is looking forward to the chance to reunite with Onalfo and join the Wizards staff.
"I'm not only excited about the opportunity to work with Curt, but I think it's an awesome opportunity to step into a club on the rise," Kelderman said. "I have a lot of respect for Peter Vermes. He's a well respected person in the soccer community for what he's done as a player but the way he handles himself."
"Being involved with a club that has new ownership is also exciting," Kelderman said. "They've made a huge commitment to the organization."
Kelderman represented the United States at the 1985 Youth World Cup in China and played on the 1991 World University team in South Korea.
"He is a very good friend," Onalfo said. "We've always made a great team in the past, and we will make a great team in Kansas City."
After seven years in MISL and A-League, he went on to play in Major League Soccer, winning two MLS Championships with D.C. United in 1996 and 1997. Kelderman capped off his career with Miami Fusion in 1998 and New England Revolution in 1999.
"The great thing about Kris Kelderman is that he was a very cerebral player when he played," Vermes said. "He will bring that same tactical intellect to the coaching ranks."
He has also coached in D.C. United's youth academy and at George Mason University. Onalfo called him an expert on the college game from his experience at Mason.
Tenney has served as a goalkeeping and strength and conditioning coach at George Mason University for the last two seasons. Tenney has worked with various youth clubs in the D.C. area since 2003 in addition to his duties at GMU.
"David Tenney is one of the few people in the United States that has distinguished himself as a soccer specific fitness person," Onalfo said. "He has a unique opportunity to prove himself as the best in the business and make sure our players are trained appropriately physically."
Tenney showed a great deal or respect for Onalfo and enthusiasm for working with him in the foreseeable future.
"I'm very excited to join Curt and the Wizards," Tenney said. "We've got a good young staff that has a great future in this league."
Both Tenney and Kelderman come from George Mason University where they worked under former Columbus Crew and MLS Coach of the Year Greg Andrulis.
"On the face of it, we haven't coached in MLS," Tenney said. "But having worked with coach Andrulis, there isn't much better education."
Tenney played for Virginia Tech from 1988-92 and was named Metro Conference Defensive MVP (1988). In addition, Tenney served as team captain his last two seasons with the Hokies. Tenney received his B.I.S. in Coaching Science from Mason in 2005, and is currently pursuing his Master's in Exercise, Fitness, and Health Promotion.
"Dave is going to be great because of his specialty in fitness training," Vermes said. "His expertise in soccer-specific training is going to be extremely important to the success of our team."
Most recently, Tenney played for the Baltimore Blast of the NPSL from 1998-2000 where he saw action in 21 games. During the 1998 season, Tenney started 23 of 25 games for the Baton Rouge Bombers (EISL) and was selected to the league's All-Star Second Team. Other professional experience for Tenney: Washington Warthogs (May 1994-Jan. 1998) and the German 4th Division (May 1992-94).
"He has also played soccer professionally and is an outstanding goalkeeper coach," Onalfo said.
The Wizards will add another assistant to fill out the coaching staff in the coming weeks.
Johnson called to National Team camp
Twenty-one-year-old forward Eddie Johnson joins teammate Jimmy Conrad at the
first Men's National Team training camp of the 2010 World Cup cycle.
"We're always happy when one of our players gets called to the national team," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "It's an extremely great honor whenever you can play for your country."
Johnson enters the camp in Carson, California January 4-21 with the second most career international goals with nine, trailing only Landon Donovan. His 23 career appearances rank fourth on the squad of 31 players.
In 2006, Johnson played in 11 international games scoring one goal and adding one assist. Johnson played in two games during the World Cup, entering as a sub against Czech Republic and Ghana.
Taylor Twellman of the New England Revolution was taken off the roster of players while Todd Dunivant of the New York Red Bulls and Danny Califf of Danish Superliga's Aalborg BK were also added.
