Wizards Acquire World Cup and Chicago Fire Standout Josh Wolff
January 7, 2003 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (January 6, 2003) - Kansas City Wizards General Manager Curt Johnson announced today the team has acquired forward Josh Wolff from the Chicago Fire in exchange for Kansas City's first pick in the 2003 MLS SuperDraft (3rd overall).
"Clearly we are thrilled to be able to add a player of Josh's quality," said Johnson. "This may prove to be one of the more significant acquisitions in the history of our organization. Josh has the tools to make a lasting impression on the community both on and off the field. We look forward to introducing Josh to Wizards fans at the SuperDraft on January 17th."
"With Josh Wolff, the Wizards have added an exciting, young, attacking player," said Head Coach Bob Gansler. "He gets his job done, but also makes those around him more effective because of his ability to stretch opposing defenses. He also presents the threat of scoring on his own at any time in the game."
The 25-year-old Wolff has scored 35 goals and added 15 assists (79 points) in his five-year MLS career with Chicago. He has also made 20 career appearances for the U.S. National Team, scoring six goals and adding three assists (15 points). He was an important member of the U.S. team that reached the quarterfinals of the 2002 World Cup in Korea/Japan. The young forward recorded the game-winning assist on Brian McBride's goal in the 8th minute of the United States' dramatic 2-0 win over Mexico in the "Round of 16", helping them to advance to the World Cup Quarterfinals.
Wolff also played a crucial role for the U.S. in the qualifying rounds leading up to the 2002 World Cup. He recorded the game-winning goal in the 47th minute against Mexico on February 28, 2001 at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH to lead the Americans to a 2-0 win in the first game of the final round of CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying. Two months later he led the Americans again, this time scoring the lone goal of the United States' 1-0 win over Costa Rica in front of 37,319 fans at Arrowhead Stadium on April 25, 2001. The U.S. eventually went on to clinch a spot in their fourth consecutive World Cup.
While with Chicago, Wolff helped lead the Fire to the 1998 MLS Cup Championship and two U.S. Open Cup Championships in 1998 and 2000. He was also a member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team that finished 4th in Sydney, Australia. Wolff scored two goals for the American's as their 4th place finish was the best ever for a U.S. team at the Olympics. He was also a member of the U-20 U.S. National Team that competed in the 1997 World Youth Championships in Malaysia.
"I am very excited to come to Kansas City," said Wolff. "A lot of good things happened to me in Chicago, but after my injury last season I knew I wanted to move and the first place on my list was Kansas City. My agent was able to get a hold of Curt Johnson and things have worked out well for me. I wanted to go to a team that was capable of winning a championship and Kansas City has proven that."
"Last season was very tough and disappointing with all the injuries in Chicago," added Wolff. "We knew it was going to be the last year that all those core players would be together. We won three championships and I was able to be a part of the Olympic team and the World Cup team. I have a lot of respect for their fans, the players and the front office, but I am extremely excited and pleased to put the past behind me and be able to help Kansas City."
A native of Stone Mountain, GA, Wolff joined the Fire in 1998 as a Project-40 player. He led the Project-40s in scoring during his lone season in the system, registering 12 goals and one assist. He scored a goal in each of his first two career MLS matches during the 1998 season and finished with eight goals and three assists. Wolff finished third in MLS Rookie of the Year voting in 1998 as well as becoming the first ever recipient of U.S. Soccer's "Chevy Young Male Athlete of the Year Award".
Wolff will be in Kansas City on Friday, January 17th during the 2003 MLS SuperDraft, which will be held at Bartle Hall in downtown Kansas City beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT. Media and fans will have the chance to meet the National Team veteran and get autographs in the Wizards hospitality room adjacent to the Draft Room at Bartle Hall. More information on the Wizards hospitality event will be available at www.kcwizards.com in the coming week.
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Major League Soccer Stories from January 7, 2003
- Crew Unveils 2003 Schedule - Columbus Crew SC
- Fire Announces 2003 MLS Schedule - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Announce 2003 Schedule, Host D.C. United on Saturday - Sporting Kansas City
- Galaxy Announces 2003 MLS Schedule - LA Galaxy
- Earthquakes Announce 2003 Schedule - San Jose Earthquakes
- United Announces 2003 MLS Schedule - D.C. United
- MetroStars Announce 2003 Schedule - New York Red Bulls
- MLS Announces 2003 Schedule - MLS
- Fire Trades Wolff to Kansas City - Chicago Fire FC
- Wizards Acquire World Cup and Chicago Fire Standout Josh Wolff - Sporting Kansas City
- MetroStars Place U-17 Team in Super Y-League - New York Red Bulls
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