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| Thursday, March 21, 2002 14:42 EST |
Kansas City Wizards: 2002 Outlook
[ESPN.com news services]
While many predicted Kansas City’s offensive struggles in 2001, the club’s lapses at the defensive end were perhaps a bigger shock than the Wizards’ rise to MLS Cup glory the previous year.
Francisco Gomez could flourish in 2002 under the tutelage of Preki. |
Head coach Bob Gansler seemingly addressed many of the club’s problem areas, but the Wizards still enter the season with plenty to prove.
The defensive core of Kansas City’s MLS Cup 2000 title run returns, as goalkeeper Tony Meola and defenders Peter Vermes and Nick Garcia search for their title-winning form.
Gansler also stockpiled the Wizards with versatile left-sided players Diego Gutierrez and Stephen Armstrong to create options for Kansas City in the back and at midfield. Additional depth comes in the form of veteran defender Carey Talley, who can also provide cover at defensive midfield.
The loss of Jamaican striker Onandi Lowe puts more pressure on the shoulders of forward Roy Lassiter, who led the club in scoring last season with 15 points - the lowest leading total of any team. Lassiter, the league’s all-time leading scorer since he surpassed Raul Diaz Arce on opening day of 1999, begins the season with 211 career points.
Breathing down his neck is teammate Preki (199 points), whose stellar form with Miami earned him a place on last season’s Pepsi Best 11 and opened the door for his surprising return to Arrowhead Stadium. Preki’s ability to create space could provide breakout moments for 23-year old Francisco Gomez, who was asked to fill the playmaking role last season.
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2001 Wizards Leaders
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Goals
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7, Roy Lassiter
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Assists
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6, Francisco Gomez & Chris Klein
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Points
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15, Roy Lassiter
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GAA
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1.64 Tony Meola
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Kansas City will also rely on skilled but erratic Trinidadian Gary Glasgow and midfielders Chris Klein and Matt McKeon as Gansler and company prepare to move past their disappointing title defense of 2001.
Key Additions:
Stephen Armstrong, Diego Gutierrez, Preki, Eric Quill
Key Departures:
Mo Johnston, Onandi Lowe, Brandon Prideaux
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