Wizards acquire goalkeeper Kevin Hartman
December 15, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
(KANSAS CITY)The Kansas City Wizards acquired standout goalkeeper Kevin Hartman today in a trade with the Los Angeles Galaxy for two second round MLS SuperDraft picks, one in 2007 and one in 2008. Hartman, a U.S. National Team pool goalkeeper and past MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, was an integral member of all five Galaxy championship-winning teams. The 32-year-old Hartman helped lead Los Angeles to all three major titles in the region: the MLS Cup ('02 and '05), Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup ('01 and '05) and CONCACAF Champions Cup ('00).
"This is an important step in the direction of our club," Technical Director Peter Vermes said. "Kevin is a true winner and has been consistently ranked as one of the top goalkeepers in the United States for the past ten years. He has numerous league records, but the most important aspect is that he has won championships and knows what it takes for a team to get there. He will also be one of the fan favorites as he has a tremendous personality and is unbelievable in the community."
A 6-0, 185-pound goalkeeper, Hartman has appeared in 243 games, facing 1,226 shots-on-goal with 903 saves in 21,735 minutes between the pipes. A three-time MLS All-Star ('99, '03 and '04), Hartman boasts the second best all-time goals-against-average (GAA) of any goalkeeper in MLS with a 1.18 GAA. He is tied for the all-time record in career shutouts with 62 (with former Wizards goalkeeper Tony Meola). He also ranks number one in career wins.
A member of MLS' Best XI in 1999, his career record is 116 wins, 85 losses and 39 ties, all with the Galaxy. In 1999, he earned MLS Goalkeeper of the Year honors while registering a league-record 0.91 Goals-Against-Average GAA.
In the playoffs, Hartman owns a 21-13-4 (W-L-T) all-time record including a 1.20 GAA with 12 shutouts. In 39 playoff appearances, he has amassed 3,592 minutes with 137 saves, including backstopping the club in four MLS Cup finals ('99, 01, '02, and '05).
"To bring to Kansas City a player and person like Kevin is a big deal for the team, our fans and the city," Head Coach Curt Onalfo said. "One of our first priorities was to improve our goalkeeping situation and we did that today. You can never have too many players like him on the roster; somebody who excels on the field, is competitive with a team-first attitude and always strives to work harder and be better. I had the chance to work him while with the U.S. National Team and got an up close look at his ability and got to know him personally."
In 25 career regular season games versus Kansas City, Hartman was 12-9-4 with seven shutouts and a 1.18 GAA. He joined the Galaxy as a 1997 third round SuperDraft pick out of UCLA.
Hartman has five caps (appearances) with the U.S. National Team, including two in 2006: a 5-0 shutout versus Norway and a 3-2 win over Japan.
"This is an exciting day and I am anxious to get to Kansas City," Hartman said. "There are a lot of quality guys there (in KC) and I know there will be a change in mentality to be like it used to be. The ownership group, coach, and Peter Vermes have secured a spot in Kansas City and are on the direct path back to winning championships. At the end of the day I want to continue to prove myself, but my real objective is to help the Wizards achieve all of their goals. We already have some great defenders, but even being a goalkeeper I like to see the team play in an attacking manner. My job will be to organize and balance things out in the back, but the bulk of my job will be to help the team win games."
Major League Soccer Stories from December 15, 2006
- Crew and SuperKick announce two-year partnership - Columbus Crew SC
- Wizards acquire goalkeeper Kevin Hartman - Sporting Kansas City
- Galaxy trade Kevin Hartman to Kansas City - LA Galaxy
- Chicago Fire Youth Development Program Update - Chicago Fire FC
- Galaxy acquire Nate Jaqua - LA Galaxy
- Rapids Acquire Eight Year MLS Veteran Defender Brandon Prideaux from D.C. - Colorado Rapids
- D.C. United trades Prideaux to Colorado for two SuperDraft picks - D.C. United
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