The Kansas City Wizards finished the MLS regular season 8-13-9 and missed the playoffs for the first time in two seasons, but the year was not without successes. Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman broke the career saves record and became the first player in League history to surpass 10,000 consecutive minutes played. Striker Josh Wolff set a career high with 11 goals. Defender Jimmy Conrad was a co-winner of the U.S. Soccer Foundation/MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year award for his efforts in the Kansas City community. Midfielder Davy Arnaud played in his first MLS All-Star game and scored his first goal for the U.S. National Team. Kansas City was named to the short list of cities still in the running to host FIFA World Cup™ matches should the USA successfully bid to host the event in 2018 or 2022. Kansas City also sold out 10 of 16 home games at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. These feats and more made the 2009 MLS season one to remember for the Kansas City Wizards.
Last Tuesday, Kansas City Wizards President Robb Heineman announced that Peter Vermes will become the team's full-time Manager. Vermes assumed the role of Interim Head Coach August 4 and guided the Wizards over the final 12 games of the Major League Soccer season. Vermes became the Wizards Technical Director on November 15, 2006 and will maintain that role while assuming Head Coaching duties. Vermes becomes the first full-time Head Coach in club history.
"Over the past three years as the Wizards Technical Director, Peter has demonstrated strong work ethic, leadership and creative management of our team roster," Heineman said of the appointment. "As the club's new Manager, we believe Peter has the technical and tactical qualities, attention to detail, and determination necessary to bring championship soccer back to Kansas City."
A plan was revealed Sept. 9 for a soccer stadium complex for the Wizards at Village West in Kansas City, Kansas. The organization is considering the latest offer from the State of Kansas and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County, Kansas City, Kansas.
| 2009 FAST FACTS | |
| MLS Record: | 8-13-9, 33 pts |
| SuperLiga Record: | 0-1-2, 2 pts |
| U.S. Open Cup Record: | 0-1-1, 1 pt |
| Sellouts at CAB: | 10 (nine in MLS, one in SuperLiga) |
| Team MVP: | Josh Wolff |
| Team Golden Boot: | Josh Wolff (11 Goals) |
| Team Defender of the Year: | Kevin Hartman |
| Team Humanitarian of the Year: | Jimmy Conrad |
| MLS Humanitarian of the Year: | Jimmy Conrad |
| MLS All-Star: | Davy Arnaud |
| U.S. National Team Camps: | Davy Arnaud, Jimmy Conrad, Jack Jewsbury |
| Honduras National Team Camps: | Roger Espinoza |
| MLS Player of the Week: | Josh Wolff (3 times) |
| MLS Goal of the Week: | Claudio Lopez (2 times), Davy Arnaud |
| MLS Save of the Week: | Kevin Hartman (3 times) |
SELECT 2009 MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTS
January
• Midfielder Roger Espinoza earns first cap for Honduras National Team. LINK
• Wizards draft Overland Park native Matt Besler in MLS SuperDraft. LINK
February
• Wizards sign Argentinean veteran Santiago Hirsig from San Lorenzo. LINK
March
• Davy Arnaud scores two long-range goals in season-opener. LINK
• Goalkeeper Kevin Hartman sets MLS career saves record in 2nd match of season. LINK
April
• Josh Wolff wins MLS Player of the Week with two goals in 2-2 draw at Chicago. LINK
• Wizards players toured Whiteman Air Force Base and conducted a free clinic for children living on the base. LINK
• Wizards sell out first-ever ESPN2 broadcast from CommunityAmerica Ballpark, with a fly over from a B2 Bomber from Whiteman as part of the festivities. LINK
• KCW Juniors accepted to U.S. Soccer Development Academy program. LINK
May
• Wolff wins MLS Player of the Week with two goals in 2-0 victory at MLS Cup participant Real Salt Lake. LINK
• Wizards sign innovative strategic partnership with Heartland Soccer Association. LINK
June
• Wizards participate in first SuperLiga competition. LINK
• Wizards tie partner club Atlas AC in SuperLiga match at St. Louis University. LINK
• Wizards sell out SuperLiga finale in loss to Santos Laguna. LINK
• Nate Bukaty of Sports Radio 810 WHB scores a goal in the annual media game and Crashes the Cauldron. LINK
July
• Davy Arnaud appears in first MLS All-Star Game. LINK
• Wizards take part in tripleheader with CONCACAF Gold Cup that features USA-Haiti and Honduras-Grenada. Arnaud and Conrad play for USA, with Arnaud scoring the opening goal. Espinoza plays and scores for Honduras. LINK
• Wizards draw greater than capacity crowd at CommunityAmerica Ballpark for 1-1 tie against Los Angeles Galaxy. LINK
August
• Hosted watch parties for USA-Mexico World Cup qualifier featuring English and Spanish game broadcasts. LINK
• Head Coach Curt Onalfo is dismissed. LINK
• Peter Vermes assumes Interim Head Coach role. LINK
• Wizards Partner with Royals on ticket package, with players trading places for a day. LINK
• Arrowhead Stadium makes short list of cities still in the running to host FIFA World Cup™ matches. LINK
September
• Wizards acquire Kei Kamara from Houston Dynamo. LINK
• Wizards players and staff take part in Greener Goals clean up event, improving Ruby Park in Kansas City, Kansas. LINK
• Josh Wolff wins 3rd MLS Player of the Week honor. LINK
• Chivas Guadalajara defeats Club America 2-1 at Arrowhead Stadium in front of 26,119 on a Wednesday. LINK
October
• Jimmy Conrad was in the 18-man roster for the final two USA World Cup qualifiers that saw the team book a place in next summer's tournament. LINK
• Wizards host U.S. U-17 National Team in tune-up before the FIFA U-17 World Cup. LINK
• Wizards tie D.C. United to keep them out of the playoffs and host post-match autograph session for all fans. LINK
• Kevin Hartman becomes first MLS player to play 10,000 consecutive minutes. LINK
