As he stood in Lot D of the Arrowhead Stadium parking lot gazing at the going-ons at the Heart of America Soccer Foundations rally geared to help keep the Wizards in Kansas City, general manager Curt Johnson saw further evidence of why the Wizards belong right where they are.
The crowd that began gathering three hours before the Wizards' afternoon encounter with reigning MLS Cup champion D.C. United was gaining momentum and drawing previously unaware, but now interested observers.
Johnson was pleased with the HASF and the crowd that was continuing to turn out.
"The folks at the HASF have been exceptionally supportive and we share their desire for the team to stay in Kansas City and for a soccer stadium to be built that can be something that is really a rallying point for the entire soccer community, youth all the way up to professional," Johnson said.
The crowd was a mix of ages and genders and reminded Johnson of the size of the soccer community in Kansas City.
"I think (the number of youth who participate in soccer in K.C.) is in the neighborhood of 30-35,000. It's always mentioned in the top two as far as per capita in participation," he said. "It's a great market; the fact that we increased our attendance five straight years and that our market placed the highest television rating for the Soccer Saturday ESPN2 broadcast last weekend in the country. There are all sorts of positive signs that this is a positive place to have a team."
Sam Pierron, the president of the HASF, posted notice of an arguably even more significant outcome of the rally which included a concert by a local group, The Elders.
"A lot of people who received notice about the concert from the Wizards didn't necessarily know what is was all about. And know that they're here, they're getting a good picture of it," Pierron said.
"Once you get a little bit of enthusiasm it feeds on itself. Enthusiasm leads to greater interest which leads to more awareness which leads to more involvement. I really think this will be a big step forward for the organization and for soccer in Kansas City."
The foundation is working with a local potential investor group that is hatching plans to keep the team in Kansas City. They have made inroads and Johnson has liked what he's seen.
"I'm optimistic that it's going to happen," stated Johnson. "At the end of the day, we have to wait and see what happens."
Robert Rusert is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
