Wizards Hold Six Picks in 2006 MLS SuperDraft
January 17, 2006 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Sporting Kansas City News Release
KANSAS CITY, MO (Monday, January 16, 2006) - The Kansas City Wizards currently hold six picks in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft that will be held this Friday, January 20th in Philadelphia, PA. For the fourth consecutive year, the SuperDraft will be held in conjunction with the NSCAA National Convention, and will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT. The first hour of the draft will be aired live on Fox Soccer Channel, while the entire draft can be viewed online at www.MLSnet.com.
"This is an exciting time of year. The talent level was impressive at the MLS Combine," said General Manager Curt Johnson. "I feel we have navigated the waters well and, with our six quality picks, will position ourselves for a successful 2006 season and beyond."
The Wizards first selection in Friday's draft will come with the 4th overall pick. The team then owns two 2nd round picks (16th and 19th overall), two 3rd round picks (28th and 29th overall) and one 4th round pick (40th overall).
Kansas City has historically been very successful on draft day, and not necessarily with just draft selections. In each of the last four seasons, the Wizards have pulled off a major draft-day trade, bringing in at least one experienced player each year.
In 2002, the Wizards landed midfielder Diego Gutierrez from the Chicago Fire, then lured forward Josh Wolff the following year, trading 1st round picks for each player. Kansas City also acquired defender Jimmy Conrad during the 2003 SuperDraft and in 2004, defender Shavar Thomas found himself in Wizards blue as part of a 1st round draft pick swap with the Dallas Burn. Last season, the Wizards brought in veteran midfielder Sasha Victorine in exchange for a 2nd round pick.
In addition to veteran players, the Wizards have also uncovered some gems during the draft. Last season, the Wizards drafted Trinidad & Tobago forward Scott Sealy with the 11th overall pick. Sealy finished second on the team in scoring last season with nine goals and was a finalist for MLS Rookie of the Year. The team's 2001 first round pick, defender Jose Luis Burciaga Jr. has become a mainstay at left back and is one of the brightest young players in MLS today.
Back in 2000, the Wizards drafted defender Nick Garcia with the 2nd overall pick. He finished his rookie campaign as a finalist for Rookie of the Year and has cemented his role in the team's defense and has also earned time with the U.S. National Team. That same year, Wizards midfielder Kerry Zavagnin was picked in the 3rd round (30th overall) and has since developed into a cornerstone of the Wizards midfield, also seeing regular duty with the U.S. National Team.
In 2002, the Wizards drafted forward Davy Arnaud in the 5th round (50th overall) out of West Texas A&M. Another late rounder who has contributed in recent years is midfielder Jack Jewsbury, who was a 5th round pick (43rd overall) out of St. Louis University.
The Wizards veterans and draft picks will report for physicals on Tuesday, January 31st and begin preseason training on Wednesday, February 1st. The 2006 MLS regular season will kickoff on Saturday, April 1st when the Wizards host Eastern Conference rivals the Columbus Crew at Arrowhead Stadium. The Wizards complete 2006 schedule is expected to be released in late January.
Major League Soccer Stories from January 17, 2006
- Chivas USA Weekly Update - Club Deportivo Chivas USA
- Will Kuhns Named MLS and SUM Director of Communications - MLS
- Fire Announces Plans for 2006 Preseason - Chicago Fire FC
- Real Salt Lake to host draft party - Real Salt Lake
- Wizards Hold Six Picks in 2006 MLS SuperDraft - Sporting Kansas City
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