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The Kansas City Wizards are an American, professional soccer club based in Kansas City, Kansas that participates in Major League Soccer. In 2007 the team moved from Kansas City, Missouri to Kansas City, Kansas with plans to build a new stadium there near the Kansas Speedway. The Wizards won the MLS Cup in 2000, the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2004, and the MLS Supporters Shield in 2000. The team colors have been cobalt blue, dark indigo, yellow and white since 2008.[1]
[edit] HistoryThe Wizards were known as the Kansas City Wiz during the 1996 season but changed names due to a trademark dispute. From 1995 until 2006, they were owned by Lamar Hunt, who also owned the Kansas City Chiefs, FC Dallas and the Columbus Crew. In the 2000 season, the Wizards captured both the MLS Supporters' Shield and the MLS Cup. In the previous two seasons, they had failed to make the playoffs. On July 19, 2006, head coach Bob Gansler resigned and general manager Curt Johnson selected assistant coach Brian Bliss as the new interim head coach[2]. Curt Onalfo was announced the new permanent head coach after the end of the 2006 season. On December 9, 2004, Lamar Hunt announced that he was looking to sell the team after the 2005 MLS season. On August 31, 2006, the Wizards held a press conference to announce the sale of the team to a local ownership group consisting of Cerner co-founders Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig, Rock Island Capital’s Robb Heineman, Greg Maday and David French, and Pat Curran, founder of C3 Holdings.[3] [edit] Crest
[edit] Home stadiums
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. In 2008, the Wizards moved their home game against the Los Angeles Galaxy to Arrowhead Stadium to accommodate the larger crowd that was expected to be in attendance for David Beckham's Kansas City debut.
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 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 will make 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 also use a baseball stadium, as they have used Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, home of the Oakland A's for certain games during the 2008 season. On July 27, 2007, the Kansas City Star reported that Lane4 Property Group, a developer hired by the Wizards, was moving closer to making plans final for a massive redevelopment of now-vacant Bannister Mall that will include a new stadium for the Wizards and 12 to 18 tournament soccer fields. Under Lane4’s plan, the Bannister Mall and Benjamin Plaza shopping centers and the adjoining Benjamin Ranch property would be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use project with retail, office and residential components in addition to a possible Wizards stadium. According to MLS.net on December 14, 2007, the Wizards plans for a new stadium were approved by the Kansas City council. The current target date for completion of construction for the stadium is 2011. Team owners are currently collaborating with architecture firm 360 Architecture on the design of the new stadium, with the final design likely to be unveiled during the 2009 season.[4] Final government hurdles for the new stadium were cleared on November 20, 2008, when the state legislature of Missouri approved a $30-million tax credit package to help build the complex.[5] The Stadium is currently referred to as "Hillcrest Road" being the name of the street on which the project will be built, the area has also rebranded itself as it is now known as The Trails in reference to the Santa Fe Trail, California Trail, and Oregon Trail that all run through the area. The Wizards announced on September 8, 2009 that they were pulling out of the Trails project and were exploring an alternative deal near their current home in Kansas City, Kansas.[6] [edit] SupportersSupporters of the Kansas City Wizards stand in a section known as "The Cauldron." The name is derived from the large metal pots used in witchcraft. Over the past few years, the Wizards 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. Other groups - such as Southern Voodoo, KC Outlaws and the Yardbirds - 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. [edit] Television and RadioWizards matches are broadcast on Metro Sports (except for nationally broadcast matches), with Sean Wheelock doing play-by-play. Local Radio coverage is broadcasted live in English using the Metro Sports Television feed on KCZZ 1480AM, Spanish broadcasting can be found on KDTD 1340AM. [edit] Official AnthemIn 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 luke warm response the song has not drawn much identity to the club although it continues to be played at the stadium before matches. [edit] Honors[edit] Domestic
[edit] Minor Trophies[edit] Players[edit] Current rosterAs of September 15, 2009.[7]
[edit] Notable former playersThis 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.
[edit] Head coaches
[edit] General managers
[edit] Presidents
[edit] Team records
MLS regular season only
[edit] Year-by-year
* Won MLS Supporters' Shield [edit] International competition
[edit] Average attendance
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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