KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Kansas City Wizards on Wednesday took the first step to finally bolstering the backline, an issue for coach Peter Vermes’ club since the preseason.
The team acquired Shavar Thomas from Philadelphia for two second round MLS SuperDraft selections, one in 2011 and one in 2012, and allocation money. Thomas will be available for selection on Saturday at FC Dallas.
“We just need to get a little bit better in that area,” Vermes said in a phone interview Wednesday afternoon.
Three players have started at centerback alongside Jimmy Conrad this season: Matt Besler, Pablo Escobar and Aaron Hohlbein. Vermes said Thomas brings a veteran presence to the position that has been unpredictable at times.
“Really, it’s experience,” Vermes said. “He’s been playing the position for a long time, and he’s been doing it in this league. He knows the majority of the forwards that he would be going up against on a regular basis and the venues he’ll be playing in. It’s not as if everything is new to him.”
Thomas is so comfortable in Kansas City that when Vermes spoke to him on the phone, the eight-year veteran told him it felt like he was coming home. The 29-year-old Jamaican played for the Wizards from 2004 to 2006, playing in 25 games during the Wizards’ run to the MLS Cup final in 2004 and starting 70 matches overall.
"I had three wonderful years in Kansas City, and I played some of the best soccer of my career there,” Thomas said in a statement. “I'm at a place in my career where I can really step up and help the team, and I'm ready to do that.”
The main concern for Vermes is Thomas’ game fitness. The veteran has only played 35 minutes for the Union this season, although Vermes said he has been playing in reserve games for the Union. He started 58 games from 2007 to 2009 for Chivas USA.
Thomas arrived in Kansas City on Thursday, which gives the coaching staff little time to gauge how close he is to being ready to play 90 minutes before this weekend’s game at FC Dallas.
And while Thomas might be the first addition to the roster,it won’t be the only change. Vermes said maneuvers were in the works that prevented him from talking in specifics any impending roster moves, but he did acknowledge that more activity in the upcoming transfer window was in the works. A short-term move is expected to help free up the space taken by Thomas' acquisition.
“We’re going to try to improve the team in any way or shape that we can," Vermes said. "We’ll continue to move in that direction as the opportunities present themselves. Obviously we’re searching some of them out, and some of them are coming to us. We’ll continue to evaluate each one as they come.”
Wizards get Espinoza back, Auvray close to return
Roger Espinoza is back with the team after returning from World Cup duty South Africa. Honduras was eliminated after the group stage after finishing at the bottom of Group H with one draw and two defeats.
Espinoza started for Los Catrachos against Chile and Spain and played 136 minutes in his two appearances. His return likely means that Michael Harrington will slide back to right back while Espinoza is implanted in his customary position on the left of defense.
Stephane Auvray is also gradually moving closer to a return from a right knee injury. Vermes said the holding midfielder is still fighting off some rustiness as he works himself back.
“He’s better,” Vermes said. “It’s not really just fitness. It’s his timing of play and all those things. He’s slowly getting there.”
After a solid performance a week ago against New York, Craig Rocastle will likely start in defensive midfield. Kansas City will be without captain Davy Arnaud, who is serving a suspension for his red card against the Red Bulls.
