Kansas City Wizards Acquire Forward Abe Thompson from FC Dallas
Published on September 5, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
The Kansas City Wizards acquired forward Abe Thompson Friday from FC Dallas for allocation money. Thompson attended the University of Maryland before spending the last four seasons with FC Dallas. The move comes two days after the Wizards traded for attacker Herculez Gomez from the Colorado Rapids. The Wizards waived midfielder Ryan McMahen to make room on the 18-man roster. Per League and team policy, further financial details are not disclosed.
"Abe Thompson is a big, strong target forward who makes great runs off the ball and always puts himself in dangerous spots," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "He is a good finisher with both feet and his head and we are excited for him to come to Kansas City. We feel good about our last two moves."
"Adding two quality attacking players in the last two days like Herculez Gomez and Abe Thompson can only help our push toward the MLS Cup Playoffs," Head Coach Curt Onalfo said. "We now have two more attacking options at our disposal, which will make the entire team stronger. I look forward to getting both players into training and helping them adjust quickly to their new teammates and our style of play."
Thompson, 26, was selected by FC Dallas in the 2nd round (16th overall) of the 2005 Supplemental Draft* after a standout career at Maryland. He recorded 43 goals and 26 assists in 73 career games with the Terrapins. Since joining Dallas, Thompson has scored 14 goals and added 11 assists in 69 games (32 starts) over the last four seasons. This year, Thompson has three goals and one assist.
Thompson was the Gatorade Player of the Year for the state of Virginia in 2000 after leading W.T. Woodson High School to a state championship. He scored 84 goals and added 18 assists in a stellar high school career. At Maryland, he was named a semifinalist for the prestigious Hermann trophy in both his junior and senior seasons.
*The MLS Supplemental Draft is a four-round draft held at a later date than the MLS SuperDraft. A 1st round Supplemental Draft selection is, in essence, a 5th round draft pick. In the Supplemental Draft, teams can select players from the lower divisions of professional soccer in the United States, including the United Soccer Leagues.
Major League Soccer Stories from September 5, 2008
- Earthquakes Look to Keep Their Unbeaten Streak Going When They Take on D.C. United on Saturday - San Jose Earthquakes
- Kansas City Wizards Face Houston Dynamo Sunday, Two Newest Players Available for Selection - Sporting Kansas City
- Kansas City Wizards Partner with Dick's Sporting Goods for "Shop with a Player" Event - Sporting Kansas City
- FC Dallas Acquires Allocation Money from KC in Exchange for Abe Thompson - FC Dallas
- Kansas City Wizards Acquire Forward Abe Thompson from FC Dallas - Sporting Kansas City
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