Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City

File:Sportingkansascity.png
Full name	Sporting Kansas City
Nickname(s)	Sporting, Sporting KC, Wizards, The Wiz, KC Swope Park Rangers (reserves)
Founded	1995 (as Kansas City Wiz)
Ground	Livestrong Sporting Park Kansas City, Kansas
Capacity	18,500
Owner	Sporting Club
Head Coach	Peter Vermes
League	Major League Soccer
2010	Eastern Conference: 3rd Overall: 9th Playoffs: DNQ
Website	http://www.sportingkc.com/
Home colors Away colors

Sporting Kansas City is an American professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception.

For the majority of its first 15 years of existence the team was known as the Kansas City Wizards. The team formally rebranded itself as Sporting Kansas City in November 2010 to coincide with its move to a new stadium for the 2011 season. The team won the MLS Cup in 2000, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004, and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2000.

History

The early years: 1996-1999

On April 13, 1996 at Arrowhead Stadium, the Kansas City Wiz played the first game in team history by defeating the Colorado Rapids, 3-0. The Wiz players included midfielder Preki, Digital Takawira and were coached by Ron Newman. The first season in Wiz history would be successful, finishing 17-15 and earning a spot in the first MLS Playoffs. In the playoffs, the Wiz would continue to play well, defeating the Dallas Burn in three games, winning the final game in a shootout. In the next round, the Wiz would be defeated by the Los Angeles Galaxy. Following the season, the Wiz changed their name to the "Wizards."

Building on their success from the 1996 season, the Wizards became the success story of 1997, going 21-11 and winning the Western Conference regular season championship. In addition, Preki was named MLS MVP of the year. But in the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards lost to the last seeded Colorado Rapids. After their surprising playoff loss in 1997, the Wizards 1998 season was disappointing going 12-20 and finishing the season in last place in the Western Conference. The Wizards continued their downfall in 1999, firing Ron Newman in the summer and replacing him with Bob Gansler. The Wizards would finish the season with a disastrous record of 8-24, which put them in last place in the Western Conference again.

Championship: 2000

In 2000, their first full season under Bob Gansler, the Wizards return to their form from their first two seasons, playing well and having a solid defense. Goalkeeper Tony Meola would record the longest shutout streak in MLS history at 681 minutes. By the end of the season, the Wizards held a record of 16-7-9, the best in the league. In the playoffs, the Wizards defeated the Colorado Rapids, 7 points to 1 in three games. In the conference final, the Wizards would fall behind 4 points to 1 to the Los Angeles Galaxy and their season seemed to be coming to an end. Miklos Molnar, scored a penalty kick early in game three to send the series into a tiebreaker, where he scored again to send the Wizards to their first MLS Cup. At RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C., the Wizards, with the league's best defense, tried to prove that defense wins championships by beating the team with the league's best offense, the Chicago Fire. The Wizards would lead early on an 11th minute goal by Miklos Molnar. The Chicago Fire would put together an onslaught of scoring opportunities, putting 10 shots on goal, including 3 in the final 10 minutes. But Tony Meola stopped every one of them and the defense barely held on to the lead as time ran out on the Chicago Fire. A year after not even making double-digits in wins, the Wizards amazingly turned it around and claimed their first MLS Cup Championship.

Post-Championship struggles: 2001-2002

After the loss of Preki to the Miami Fusion, the team struggled to defend their championship in 2001, making the playoffs as the 8th seed with a record of 11-13-3. In the first round, the Wizards' reign as champion ended with a 6 points to 3 loss to Preki and the Miami Fusion. Despite getting back Preki, the Wizards sat in last place in the Western Conference in 2002. They made the playoffs with a record of 9-10-9. The last two teams in the East, the MetroStars and D.C. United missed the playoffs, which propelled the Wizards into the playoffs. In the first round, the team would fall, 6 points to 3 to eventual champions, Los Angeles Galaxy.

More success: 2003-2004

Jimmy Conrad was an integral part of Kansas City's team from 2003 to 2010

The Wizards would return to the top half of the West in 2003 with a record of 11-10-9. In the first round, the Wizards would defeat the Colorado Rapids in the aggregate goal series, 3-1. That set up a one-game showdown with the San Jose Earthquakes the winner would advance to the 2003 MLS Cup. The Wizards would twice take the lead, but twice, the Earthquakes battled back and forced golden goal in overtime by Landon Donovan in the 117th minute, which sent his team to the 2003 MLS Cup and the Wizards home.

Looking to build on their momentum from the previous year, the Wizards would start out 2004 mediocre before turning around in the summer and contending for the conference championship. The Wizards lost only 2 games in September and finished the season on a 6 game unbeaten streak to finish 14-9-9, for the Western Conference regular season championship. The season was not without controversy, though, as goalkeeper Tony Meola, an American soccer goalkeeping legend that had been on the USA national team roster for three World Cups, went down with injury and backup Bo Oshoniyi would fill as a replacement. Once the playoffs started, Meola had healed, but Oshoniyi was still in goal. In the first round of the playoffs, the Wizards would lose the first game to defending champions San Jose Earthquakes, 2-0, putting in a seemingly impossible situation to score 3 goals and concede none in game 2 of aggregate goal series. However, amazingly, the Wizards did just that by scoring 2 goals in the first half, while little known Jack Jewsbury scored the deciding goal in second half stoppage time to move KC onto the conference final for the second year in a row. In that game, the Wizards would easily hold off the Los Angeles Galaxy on two Davy Arnaud goals to send the Wizards to their second MLS Cup. The Wizards provided the stadium area championship feeling as they went up against D.C. United at the Home Depot Center in Carson, California as Bo Oshoniyi got the starting in goal. The Wizards would get off to a great start as Jose Burciaga caught United unprepared as he scored a long range goal in the 6th minute. However, DC United's Alecko Eskandarian scored 2 goals for his squad in the 19th and 23rd minutes respectively. Things would go from bad to worse in the 26th minute for the Wizards as Alex Zotinca committed an own goal. KC was given a lifeline in the 58th minute as DC's Dema Kovalenko was expelled from the match for a handball in the penalty area and Josh Wolff scored the first penalty kick conversion in MLS Cup history. The Wizards hoped that that would propel them to more goals as they put 10 shots on goal. However it would not be enough as their season ended with a disappointing 3-2 loss at the hands of DC United.

Move to the East: 2005-2010

With expansion, the Wizards would make the move to the Eastern Conference in 2005. The team won just two of its first seven games. After going through a summer filled with mostly ties and losses, a four game winning streak at the end of August helped get them back in the playoff race. In the end, it was not enough as the Wizards did not win another game to find themselves on the outside of the playoffs looking in with a record of 11-9-12. After the season, the team's veteran leader, Preki announced his retirement. Following a 2006 season in which they missed the playoffs, changes were in the air for the Wizards off the field. Lamar Hunt sold the club to OnGoal, LLC a local group committed to keeping the Wizards in Kansas City and promising to build a new soccer specific stadium. Despite the good news off the field, and winning four out of five games to start the season, the Wizards just missed out on a playoff berth with a loss to the New York Red Bulls on the final day, finishing with a 10-14-8 record.

The club dedicated the 2007 season to the late Lamar Hunt. A good start earned them four wins in the first seven weeks of the season. The club also picked up goalkeeper Kevin Hartman from Los Angeles Galaxy as a move to help the club with that position. But after a good start to the season, the Wizards tapered off near the end of the season, winning just four games after the All-Star break and finished fifth in the East at 11-12-7. The club shifted over to the West as a result of a playoff format change, the Wizards played against Chivas USA. With the Wizards Davy Arnaud's goal in the first game to win the series as the defense and Kevin Hartman did the rest and kept Chivas USA off the scoreboard. In the conference final the Wizards would come up short to the Houston Dynamo, 2-0.

The Wizards played their home games at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas in 2008, and ended a four year playoff drought by posting an 11-10-9 record, which was good enough for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Facing the Columbus Crew who captured the MLS Supporter's Shield for the best record in the MLS, the Wizards had a strong showing, earning a 1-1 tie in Game 1 of the first round series. However, with a 2-0 loss in Game 2 the Wizards lost the aggregate series 3-1. In the 2009 season Wizards had no offense. They went 427 minutes without scoring a goal (the longest streak of offensive impotence of the season). The most telling stat of all though for the Wizards is their record at home, it was the worst in the league. Plus, they were 0-13–3 when giving up the first goal. By the end of season, they were third to last in the league standings. Top players were Claudio Lopez (8 goals & 7 assists) and Josh Wolff (11 goals) who sparked the Wizards offense.

Rebranding: 2011-present

With the rebranding, the team follows a recent tradition in MLS of adopting 'European'-style names. Other teams with such names include Toronto FC, D.C. United and Real Salt Lake. The "Sporting" implies that the soccer club will be part of a larger sports umbrella. At the rebrand announcement, the team's president announced plans to add a rugby club and lacrosse club. The re-branding was met with both excitement and disdain. The name "Wizards" is still used as an informal nickname for the club. With the opening of the new Livestrong Park in Kansas City, Kansas, Sporting Kansas City will become the only major-league team to have played in stadiums on both sides of the state line in Kansas City, and may continue to use Arrowhead Stadium for special-occasion games, such as those against well-known international teams. An example of this practice would be the Wizards' 2010 game (and victory) against Manchester United at Arrowhead Stadium, which was also the first professional sporting match held at the venue after its renovations. The Kansas City Wizards had a record of (11-13-6) at the end of the season, head coach Peter Vermes failed to do what former coach Curt Onalfo did when he was head coach in Kansas City which is to make the playoffs.

Colors and badge

Sporting Kansas City's official colors are dark indigo and "Sporting" blue. The primary logo is composed of a teardrop-shaped shield containing a stylized representation of the Kansas-Missouri state line with "Sporting" blue stripes on the "Kansas" side and an interlocking "SC" on the "Missouri" side. The shield's contour alludes to the team's former logo while under the "Kansas City Wizards" appellation. The stateline respresents Sporting's fanbase in both of the Kansas and Missouri metropolitan areas called "Kansas City." The eleven individual lines comprising the stateline are a nod to the number of players a team places on the field during a soccer match. The "SC" (for Sporting Club) is inspired by Asclepius' rod representing health and fitness, a Greek statue called the Winged Victory of Samothrace - alluding to strength and movement, and to the Spanish architecture of Kansas City's Country Club Plaza.

• original Kansas City Wiz logo (1996)
  original Kansas City Wiz logo (1996)
• former Kansas City Wizards logo (1997–2006)
  former Kansas City Wizards logo (1997–2006)
• Kansas City Wizards logo (2007–2010)
  Kansas City Wizards logo (2007–2010)
• Sporting Kansas City logo (2011—)
  Sporting Kansas City logo (2011—)

Stadiums

Arrowhead Stadium, the Wizards' home for over a decade.

• Arrowhead Stadium; Kansas City, Missouri (1996–2007)
• Blue Valley Sports Complex; Overland Park, Kansas (2001, 2004, 2006) 5 games in US Open Cup
• Julian Field; Parkville, Missouri (2005) 2 games in US Open Cup
• CommunityAmerica Ballpark; Kansas City, Kansas (2008–2010)
• Hermann Stadium; St. Louis, Missouri (2009) 1 game in North American SuperLiga
• Stanley H. Durwood Stadium; Kansas City, Missouri (2010) 1 game in US Open Cup
• Livestrong Sporting Park; Kansas City, Kansas (2011–present)

From 1996 to 2007, the Wizards played home games in Arrowhead Stadium, the American football stadium mainly used by the Kansas City Chiefs. Wizards management kept the west end of Arrowhead tarped off for the first 10 years of play, limiting seating near the field. In 2006, fans could sit all the way around the field, but in 2007 seating was only available along the sidelines. After the 2007 final season at Arrowhead, the Wizards continued to use the stadium for select large events. In 2008, the club played a regular season home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy at the stadium to accommodate the large crowd expected for David Beckham's Galaxy debut. Again in 2010, the Wizards played a friendly here against English club Manchester United, winning 2-1.

The Wizards entered an agreement with the Kansas City T-Bones to use their home stadium, CommunityAmerica Ballpark, during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The deal was later extended to include 2010. The stadium, located across the state line in Kansas City, Kansas, built a new bleacher section financed by the Wizards to increase its capacity to 10,385. This move made the Wizards the third MLS team to share their home ground with a baseball team. D.C. United had been sharing RFK Stadium with Major League Baseball's Washington Nationals in Washington, D.C., before the latter's move into Nationals Park. The San Jose Earthquakes used Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, home of the Oakland A's (and Oakland Raiders), for certain games during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

The Wizards originally planned to return to Kansas City, Missouri, and build a new stadium there – tentatively called Trails Stadium – as part of a major mixed-use development. The team had received all required approvals and was awaiting site demolition; however, the 2008–09 financial crisis ultimately led to the scrapping of the Trails Stadium project. The developer then sought a new site, quickly settling on a similar development in Kansas City, Kansas, known as Village West, near CommunityAmerica Ballpark and Kansas Speedway.

In September 2009, the developer asked Wyandotte County and Kansas state officials for permission to use revenues from existing tax increment financing in the Village West area to help finance the soccer complex. On December 17, Wizards president Robb Heineman provided an update on the stadium situation published on team official website and blog, basically identifying the Kansas City, Kansas, location as final, pending the signature of the final agreements. On December 21, construction machinery was already on the Legends site waiting to break ground. On January 19, 2010, Wyandotte County approved the bonds to help finance the stadium, and on January 20 the groundbreaking ceremony was made, with Wizards CEO Robb Heineman using heavy machinery to move dirt on the construction site.

Club culture

Supporters

The main supporters group of Sporting Kansas City stand in a section known as "The Cauldron". The name is derived from the large metal pots used in witchcraft, due to the teams former name Wizards. Over the past few years, Sporting have seen dramatic growth in their fan section, with several fan groups adding their voice to The Cauldron culture and atmosphere.

The largest supporters group is known as "Hillcrest Syndicate". The group derives its name from Hillcrest Road which is the road on which the Trails Stadium would have been built if the project had not fallen through and then shifted to Kansas. Other groups - such as Southern Voodoo, the Yardbirds, and the BSE - are also currently a part of The Cauldron. After a strong presence in 2007 and 2008, the Sudakas have largely faded from the section, although several of their chants remain a part of the regular repertoire.

Official anthem

In 2007, Kansas City based rock band Blackpool Lights song “Ain’t Nobody Gonna Stop Us Now” was chosen as the official team anthem. Received by fans in a lukewarm response, the song has not drawn much identity to the club, although it continues to be played at the stadium before matches.

Broadcasting

Wizards matches are broadcast on KSMO-TV (except for nationally broadcast matches), with former Wizard Sasha Victorine providing color commentary. The play-by-play announcer is former British BBC Radio commentator Callum Williams. It was announced on March 10, 2011 that Williams would replace former play-by-play announcer Dave Borchardt beginning with the 2011 MLS season.

Local Radio coverage is broadcasted live in English using the television feed on KCZZ 1480AM. Spanish broadcasting can be found on KDTD 1340AM.

Players and staff

Current roster

As of April 15, 2011.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
1	GK	DEN	Jimmy Nielsen
2	DF	USA	Michael Harrington
3	DF	ENG	Korede Aiyegbusi
4	MF	GRN	Craig Rocastle
5	DF	USA	Matt Besler
6	DF	JAM	Shavar Thomas
7	MF	USA	Chance Myers
8	MF	USA	Graham Zusi
9	FW	USA	Teal Bunbury
11	MF	ENG	Ryan Smith
12	MF	POL	Konrad Warzycha
14	DF	USA	Kevin Ellis
15	MF	HON	Roger Espinoza
16	DF	USA	Mike Jones

No.	Pos.	Nation	Player
17	FW	USA	C. J. Sapong
18	GK	USA	Eric Kronberg
20	FW	SEN	Birahim Diop
21	GK	USA	Jon Kempin
22	MF	USA	Davy Arnaud (captain)
23	FW	SLE	Kei Kamara
24	DF	USA	Scott Lorenz
27	MF	GLP	Stéphane Auvray
32	MF	USA	Luke Sassano
55	DF	BRA	Júlio César
78	DF	FRA	Aurélien Collin
88	MF	MNE	Miloš Stojčev
99	FW	MEX	Omar Bravo

Notable former players

This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.

• José Burciaga, Jr. (2001–2007)
• Mark Chung (1996–1998)
• Jimmy Conrad (2003–2010)
• Nick Garcia (2000–2007)
• Herculez Gomez (2008–2009)
• Richard Gough (1997)
• Diego Gutiérrez (1996–1997), (2002–2005)
• Kevin Hartman (2006–2010)
• Chris Henderson (1998–2000)
• Jack Jewsbury (2003–2010)
• Eddie Johnson (2006–2007)
• Mo Johnston (1996–2001)
• Chris Klein (1998–2005)
• Frank Klopas (1996–1997)
• Alexi Lalas (1999)
• Claudio López (2008–2010)

• Tony Meola (1999–2004)
• Miklos Molnar (2000)
• Uche Okafor (1996–2000)
• Preki (1996–2000), (2002–2005)
• Vuk Rašović (2004)
• Paul Rideout (1998)
• Refik Šabanadžović (1997–1999)
• Scott Sealy (2005–2008)
• Igor Simutenkov (2002–2004)
• Mike Sorber (1996)
• Vitalis Takawira (1996–1999)
• Peter Vermes (2000–2002)
• Sasha Victorine (2005–2008)
• Josh Wolff (2003–2006), (2008–2010)
• Kerry Zavagnin (2000–2008)
• Alexandru Zotincă (2003–2006)

• See also All-time Sporting Kansas City roster

Head coaches

• Ron Newman (1996–1999)
• Ken Fogarty (1999), (Interim)
• Bob Gansler (1999–2006)
• Brian Bliss (2006), (Interim)
• Curt Onalfo (2006–2009)
• Peter Vermes (2009—present)

General managers

• Tim Latta (1996)
• Doug Newman (1997–1999)
• Curt Johnson (1999–2006)
• Peter Vermes (2006—present) Technical Director and Head Coach
• Greg Cotton (2006—present) Director of Business Operations

Presidents

• Robb Heineman (2006—present) [1]

Achievements

• MLS Cup
  • Winners (1): 2000
  • Runners-up (1): 2004

• MLS Supporters' Shield
  • Winners (1): 2000
  • Runners-up (2): 1997, 2004

• MLS Western Conference
  • Winners (Regular Season) (3): 1997, 2000, 2004
  • Winners (Playoff) (1): 2004

• Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup
  • Winners (1): 2004

• MLS Desert Cup (Pre-season)
  • Winners (1): 2011

Record

Year-by-year

Year	MLS Reg. Season	MLS Cup Playoffs	Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup	CONCACAF Champions' Cup/Champions League	SuperLiga
1996	3rd, West	Semi-Finals	Quarter-Finals	Did not qualify	Started in 2007
1997	1st, West	Quarter-Finals	Round of 16	Did not qualify
1998	6th, West	Did not qualify	Round of 16	Did not qualify
1999	6th, West	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2000	1st, West*	Champions	Round of 32	Did not qualify
2001	3rd, West	Quarter-Finals	Round of 16	Not held
2002	5th, West	Quarter-Finals	Semi-Finals	Semi-Finals
2003	2nd, West	Semi-Finals	Round of 16	Did not qualify
2004	1st, West	Runners-up	Champions	Did not qualify
2005	5th, East	Did not qualify	Quarter-Finals	Quarter-Finals
2006	5th, East	Did not qualify	Round of 16	Did not qualify
2007	5th, East	Semi-Finals**	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	Did not participate
2008	4th, East	Quarter-Finals	Quarter-Finals	Did not qualify	Did not qualify
2009	6th, East	Did not qualify	Quarter-Finals	Did not qualify	Group Stage
2010	3rd, East	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	Did not qualify	Did not qualify

International tournaments

• 2001 Copa Merconorte

Group Stage v. Sporting Cristal -- 1:2

Group Stage v. Santos Laguna -- 2:4

Group Stage v. Barcelona -- 3:2

Group Stage v. Sporting Cristal -- 1:2

Group Stage v. Barcelona -- 1:1

Group Stage v. Santos Laguna -- 0:1

• 2002 CONCACAF Champions Cup

First Round v. W Connection – 1:0, 2:0 (Wizards win 3:0 on aggregate)

Quarter-Finals v. Santos Laguna – 1:2, 2:0 (Wizards win 3:2 on aggregate)

Semi-Finals v. Monarcas Morelia – 1:6, 1:1 (Morelia advances 7:2 on aggregate)

• 2005 CONCACAF Champions Cup

First Round v. Deportivo Saprissa – 0:0, 1:2 (Saprissa advances 2:1 on aggregate after added extra time)

• 2009 North American SuperLiga

Group Stage v. Atlas -- 0:0

Group Stage v. New England Revolution -- 1:1

Group Stage v. Santos Laguna -- 1:3

Team records

Kerry Zavagnin, seen here training with the US national team, has played more games for Sporting KC than any other player.

• Games: Kerry Zavagnin (225)
• Goals: Preki (71)
• Assists: Preki (98)
• Shutouts: Tony Meola (37)

MLS regular season only

• All-Time regular season record: 154-155-65 (Through April 20, 2008)

Average attendance

Year	Reg. Season	Playoffs
1996	12,878	7,754
1997	9,058	10,174
1998	8,073	DNQ
1999	8,183	DNQ
2000	9,112	8,243
2001	10,954	5,803
2002	12,255	9,484
2003	15,573	10,712
2004	14,819	10,977
2005	9,691	DNQ
2006	11,083	DNQ
2007	11,586	12,442
2008	10,686	10,385
2009	10,053	DNQ

External links

• Official Website
• Official Website of Supporters Section: The Cauldron
• Official Blog
• SportingTimes.net - Independent Supporter Site and Blog (formerly kcwfans.com)
• Down the Byline - Fan Blog