2010 Kansas City Wizards season
| 2010 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Robb Heineman | ||
| Head Coach | Peter Vermes | ||
| Major League Soccer | East: 3rd Overall: 9th |
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| US Open Cup | Qualification Semifinals | ||
| Top goalscorer |
League: Kei Kamara (10) All: Kei Kamara (10) |
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The 2010 Kansas City Wizards season was the fifteenth season of the team's existence. In the earliest parts of 2010, the club broke ground on their future stadium and made the announcement that they had reached a new local television contract with KCWE that would put every home and away match for the league season on local over-the-air high definition.
The club decided to travel to Arizona for preseason training after opening camp in cold Kansas City. As promised by the front office in the off season the club brought in a large number of trialist and draft picks to fight for the limited squad positions. Much of the preseason banter surrounded the departure of popular Latin Striker Claudio Lopez and the contract status of fan favorite goalkeeper Kevin Hartman. Hartman's situation was used as an example against the collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players' union however Hartman was replaced by Danish Jimmy Nielsen which was a questionable move with limited Senior International spots available. In addition to all the player movement the Wizards found themselves winners in a weighted allocation lottery for the services of US Youth player 16-year-old Luis Gil. Despite "winning" the lottery speculation was that the league had agreed the youngster would be placed somewhere on the west coast and he was quickly traded to Real Salt Lake for a second round draft pick, future transfer consideration, and a Senior International roster spot.
Ryan Smith made his introduction to the club and the league in the Wizards opener, an emphatic 4-nil whooping of D.C. United. Kei Kamara opened his account slamming home a sloppy rebound from a Smith shot on Troy Perkins' goal, Davy Arnaud doubled the lead in the first half with Smith earning the assist. Despite being an official "sell-out", the weather kept a large number of fans from seeing new goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen make his uneventful debut. Nielsen was tested only the one time by the all-time league-leading goal scorer Jaime Moreno but the Danish keeper nicknamed "White Puma" responded properly and kept his sheet clean. The second half opened just like the first and Smith got his first goal of the season, easily passing another sloppy rebound into an open net, this time in front of The Cauldron. 15 minutes later Smith's corner intended for Kamara found instead the hand of a defender and referee Kevin Stott pointed to the spot; Jack Jewsbury (late entry to starting eleven) made the best of the situation and gave the home squad a 4-goal lead.
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