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[Frank Cunha]

Wizards Acquire Diego Walsh 15/01/04



"Diego is a very talented, attacking player. He was a first round choice last year, but things didn't quite work out in Columbus because they have a guy there that plays pretty similar. We feel he is a very promising young player and he will be given every opportunity to get into the lineup and play. We are looking forward to integrating him into our team in Kansas City."

Walsh, 24, was the 7th overall pick by the Columbus Crew in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft that took place in Kansas City. He appeared in 14 contests, including six starts, and scored one goal. He made his MLS debut on April 26, 2003 against the MetroStars and scored his first and only goal as a professional on June 28, 2003 against D.C. United. A transitional international player last season, he will be classified as a Senior International player this year based on his age and will fill a Senior International spot.

"I'm really excited. I think the Kansas City Wizards are a great organization and I think this will be a great opportunity for me to really blossom and have a great year at the MLS level. I'm really looking forward to this season. I spoke with Bob Gansler and I think he really believes in what I am capable of doing and I'm really looking forward to stepping in and hopefully playing a lot with the Wizards."

Walsh attended Southern Methodist University where he starred for the Mustangs as a two-time All-American and was a finalist for the 2002 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy. Walsh is the Mustang's all-time assists leader with 39 and ranks fifth all-time in goals scored (39) and fourth in total points (117). He was named the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the year in 2002 and 2000.

[Frank Cunha]

it looks like Countess his going to Kansas City

[Frank Cunha]

crazy move by Kansas City

KC traded Carey Talley, Eric Quill and the #7 (which turned into Clarence Goodson) to Dallas for Shavar Thomas and the #4 (which turned into Matt Taylor).

[Frank Cunha]

Simutenkov Inks New Deal 28/01/04

Kansas City Wizards General Manager Curt Johnson announced today that forward Igor Simutenkov has signed a new multi-year agreement with Major League Soccer and will remain with the Wizards for the upcoming 2004 season. Per team and league policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"Igor is a difference maker," said Johnson. He puts defenders on their heels and is a proven goal scorer. To be able to retain him is a huge coup for us. It looked unlikely for a while, given our tight salary cap constraints, but I am very pleased we were able to keep Igor in Wizards blue."

Simutenkov's return keeps in tact a Wizards attack that finished third in the league in scoring last year with 48 goals. Simutenkov finished second on the team in scoring with 17 points (7g, 3a) despite appearing in just 21 matches. In a season and a half in Kansas City, the Russian striker has scored 30 points (11 g, 8a) in 40 career appearances, including 36 starts.

The 30-year-old native of Moscow, Russia joined the Wizards midway through the 2002 season after being signed as a foreign allocation. He has now played at the top level of competition in four different countries (United States, Spain, Italy and Russia) as well as appearing for the Russian National Team.

Prior to joining the Wizards in 2002, he spent three seasons with Tenerife in Spain and helped them get promoted from the Spanish Second Division in 2000 to "La Liga" (Spanish First Division) in 2001. Simutenkov spent the 1998/1999 season with Bologna of the Italian Serie A (Italy's top league). He played for Reggina of the Italian Serie B (Italy's second division) from 1994 to 1998.

Simutenkov began his professional career in 1990 at the age of 17. He played for Dinamo Moscow of the Russian Premier Division from 1990 to 1994. He led the league in scoring during the 1994 season, scoring 21 goals in 27 games. The Russian international has appeared in 20 matches for the Russian National Team between 1996 and 1998. He has scored nine international goals including four during Qualifying for the 1998 World Cup.


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[Frank Cunha]

"We're appreciative that Igor [Simutenkov] was willing to come back at a number that allows us to come back this season in a really good position roster- and salary-cap-wise. Igor is a difference-maker. He puts defenders on their heels and is a proven goalscorer. To be able to retain him is a huge coup for us."
-- Kansas City general manager Curt Johnson (Kansas City Star)

[BethlehemFC]

I thought I had read somewhere (no idea where) that they wouldn't be able to get him back because of the salary issues. Good news for Kansas City.

[Frank Cunha]

http://www.mnthunder.com/Roster_2004.shtml

[Frank Cunha]

KANSAS CITY WIZARDS
Training:
Feb. 25-March 4: Kansas City
March 5-17: Portugal
March 18-April 2: Kansas City

Matches:
Feb. 12 vs. Univ. of South Florida (4-0)
Feb. 14 vs. MetroStars (1-1)
Feb. 17 vs. Chicago Fire (2-1)
Feb. 19 vs. D.C. United (1-0)
Feb. 21 vs. Columbus Crew (0-4)
Feb. 23 vs. Univ. of Central Florida (4-0)
Matches in Portugal TBD
March 27 vs.Los Angeles in Cary, N.C.

Opening Day:
April 3 vs. Chicago Fire

[Frank Cunha]

Leiria was a good host they lost to Kansas City 0-1 on goal by Josh Wolff
Vitor Pontes the coach left the best players out
Douala, Laranjeiro, Tiago, Helton e João Paulo, they only did some running around the field
Hugo Almeida and Filipe Teixeira they were working out by themeselves, still with small
Leiria getting rid for the game with Beira-Mar

Joao Manuel missed a penalty shot

VÍTOR PONTES FAZ OBSERVAÇÕES
Derrota com Kansas

A U. Leiria perdeu ontem (0-1) com os americanos do Kansas City, num jogo-treino que decorreu no Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa. Um golo de Josh Wolff, aos 10 minutos, deu o triunfo aos visitantes.

Os leirienses ainda dispuseram de uma grande penalidade, mas João Manuel (79') atirou ao poste esquerdo. O técnico Vítor Pontes aproveitou o apronto para observar alguns jogadores que têm sido pouco utilizados, com destaque para o lateral-esquerdo brasileiro Roberto, o único reforço de Inverno que ainda não foi chamado aos jogos da SuperLiga.

Por outro lado, Douala, Laranjeiro, Tiago, Helton e João Paulo foram poupados, tendo apenas feito corrida. Hugo Almeida e Filipe Teixeira treinaram de forma condicionada.

Hoje, o plantel vai efectuar apenas uma sessão, na Marinha Grande, às 10 horas.

[Frank Cunha]

Portugal a good host

Wizards Perfect in Portugal

PRAIA DA VIEIRA, PORTUGAL (Tuesday, March 16, 2004) - The Kansas City Wizards wrapped up their exhibition schedule in Portugal with another impressive performance shutting out Portuguese First Division club Academica 1-0 in Praia da Viera, Portugal on Tuesday afternoon. Forward Davy Arnaud scored his fourth goal of the preseason as the Wizards completed a perfect 4-0-0 mark in Portugal and improved their preseason record to 8-1-1.

Arnaud capped an impressive Portugal trip with a goal in the 33rd minute to pace the Wizards. His goal on Tuesday gave him two goals and two assists in four matches while in Portugal. His partnership with Josh Wolff up top has given the Wizards a dangerous attack since the team lost midfielder Preki to a fractured left leg in February.

Defensively, the Wizards completely shut down Academica, who were playing with an even mix of first team starters and reserves. Kansas City posted their third shutout in four matches in Portugal; two of the shutouts have come against first division teams.

The Wizards improved to 8-1-1 in the preseason and have outscored their opponents 23-9. The team will depart Portugal for Kansas City on Wednesday, March 17th. They will enjoy the day off on Thursday and will resume training at the Arrowhead Outdoor Training Facility at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, March 19th.

Armstrong on the Mend - Wizards midfielder/forward Stephen Armstrong is not with the team in Portugal as he continues to recover from surgery he underwent in February on a sports hernia. Armstrong remained in Kansas City and began rehabilitation in early March. He is scheduled to rejoin the team in training later this month.

18 Days and Counting - Kansas City opens their 2004 regular season schedule at home on Saturday, April 3rd against the defending Eastern Conference Champion Chicago Fire. The match is scheduled to kickoff at 7:30 p.m. CT at Arrowhead Stadium. Fans can purchase tickets through Ticketmaster by calling 816-931-330 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. Fans are encouraged to come to the stadium early on April 3rd, as the Wizards are expecting a large crowd for the 2004 season opener.

Scoring Summary:
KC- Davy Arnaud (Francisco Gomez, Kerry Zavagnin) 33’

Wizards Starting Lineup (4-4-2): Tony Meola-GK; Alex Zotinca (Taylor Graham-70’), Shavar Thomas, Jimmy Conrad, Nick Garcia; Jack Jewsbury (Matt Taylor-75’), Kerry Zavagnin, Francisco Gomez (Diego Walsh-46’), Chris Klein; Davy Arnaud, Josh Wolff

[BethlehemFC]

Good things ahead for KC?

[Frank Cunha]

"If this had happened [last weekend] in North Carolina, you would've seen me age in front of your eyes."
-- Kansas City coach Bob Gansler, referring to Preki's severe leg injury, which occurred six weeks ago. (Kansas City Star)

[Frank Cunha]

Kansas City Wizards General Manager Curt Johnson announced today that the team has waived forward Wolde Harris. The Kingston, Jamaica native joined the Wizards in August of 2003 after being acquired by Kansas City in a trade with the New England Revolution.

[BethlehemFC]

I wonder if he will be picked up by anyone? A-league maybe?

[Frank Cunha]

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