KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jimmy Conrad wasn’t exactly shocked when Omar Bravo was announced as Kansas City’s next Designated Player last Friday.
Bravo’s name had been in the wind for weeks, and the Wizards’ interest was widely documented. More than anything else, Conrad said the announcement reinforced his belief that Major League Soccer is beginning to gain ground both in the region and around the world.
“It really is an indication of where this league is headed, and what we are trying to become,” he said. “We got Nery Castillo, [Freddie] Ljungberg, all these guys are making a difference.”
WATCH: Wizards sign Omar Bravo
For his part, Conrad has a pretty good idea of the kind of difference that Bravo will make between the lines when the striker joins the club in early 2011. The Wizards defender scored the game-winning goal in a 2-0 United States victory against Bravo and El Tri in February 2007.
“[Omar]’s crafty,” Conrad said. “He’s very good at creating space for himself and others, and he’s always a threat to hit it from distance or get in behind you. He’s had a very good career, and I’m pretty surprised that Chivas is willing to let him go.”
On the other hand, Kansas City are certainly happy to have the Mexican international, who figures to play in the center or on the right in the Wizards’ 4-3-3 formation. Manager Peter Vermes said Bravo could also play up top in a 4-4-2 or slide into a midfield spot in the team’s current configuration.
“He tends to play in a similar system that we do, and he can play a variety of attacking positions well,” Vermes said. “He’s a goal-scorer, he can also set goals up and he knows how to manage the game. That’s something that we need, and it’s exciting that we can bring a player in like that.”
Unfortunately, Kansas City won’t get Bravo immediately while the team is in the middle of a battle to get back into a tight playoff race.
But with the team in the middle of a five-game winning streak in all competitions and gradually gaining confidence, now may not actually be the best time either way. The loan arrangement allows Bravo to wrap up his career at Guadalajara properly, and the Wizards can focus on the task at hand: making the playoffs.
“It would be nice to have him right now,” Conrad said. “But since he’s not, then it’s not a distraction. We can just prepare for him to come in 2011 and not have to worry about integrating him into the team now. We’ve got a good identity right now.”
With another signing very likely this season as the Wizards work with an open roster spot, Bravo will join a team with a stable of young talent and a group of international acquisitions fresh off a full year in MLS under their belts.
And although Wizards fans are going to have to wait a few months to fully enjoy their marquee signing, Conrad has no doubt that Bravo will be well worth the wait.
“Kansas City is going to have a Designated Player it can be proud of,” he said.
