MLS Sporting Kansas City

Retired Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin Joins Kansas City Wizards Coaching Staff

Published on December 19, 2008 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release


The Kansas City Wizards announced Friday that retired midfielder Kerry Zavagnin will join the coaching staff for the 2009 season as an assistant coach. Zavagnin, 34, joined the Wizards in 2000 and helped lead the team to its first-ever MLS Cup championship. He was an integral part of the club's midfield for the next nine seasons, during which time he was named to the MLS All-Star team and the MLS Best XI in 2004. In the same year, Kansas City won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Zavagnin's primary duties as an assistant will include: scouting, developing the Wizards younger players, breaking down film and assisting with training sessions, among others.

"We are proud to welcome Kerry Zavagnin to the technical staff as an assistant coach after his successful playing career in Kansas City," Wizards Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "One of our core philosophies is incorporating former Wizards players into the organization after their playing careers are over. Kerry was a great ambassador of the Wizards as a player, and he will continue that legacy as a member of the technical staff."

"I'm excited to have Kerry join us on the coaching staff," Head Coach Curt Onalfo said. "He was a very intelligent player with a good head for the game. These qualities will carry over and make him an excellent coach."

Zavagnin started his career with the New York/New Jersey MetroStars, where he played in 39 games over two seasons and recorded two assists. After spending one season with the Lehigh Valley Steam (USL-1), Zavagnin was drafted by the Wizards in the 2000 MLS SuperDraft. He played 237 games (228 starts) and logged 20,516 minutes for Kansas City, setting team records in both categories. He scored eight goals and added 22 assists in his nine seasons in Kansas City blue. Kansas City named him the team Defender of the Year in 2001 for his defensive organization.

"I am excited to begin my coaching career with the Kansas City Wizards, an organization that has meant a great deal to me over the past nine years," Zavagnin said. "I will continue to serve this organization with the same passion, drive and commitment that I had during my time as a player."

On top of his club success in Kansas City, Zavagnin also appeared 21 times for the United States National Team. He recorded one assist for the Red, White and Blue. The team went 15-2-4 when Zavagnin appeared.

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