Top Scorers through 2006

And we've reached the season that just ended.

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004 - 2005

You all know how this season ended, with disappointment again. For the second year in a row the Wizards controled their own destiny going into the final game, needing only a draw to make the playoffs. 2 PKs and a third strike Guevara and the Red Bulls were in the playoffs, and the Wizards were left out for the second year in a row.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries.

1. Preki - 71 (-)

2. Chris Klein - 39 (-)

3. Mo Johnston - 31 (-)

4. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

5. Josh Wolff - 27 (-)

6. Davy Arnaud - 21 (+1)

7. Mark Chung - 20 (-1)

8. Scott Sealy - 19 (+7)

9. Chris Brown - 15 (-1)

10. Matt McKeon - 13 (-1)

11T. Igor Simutenkov - 12 (-1)

11T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (-1)

11T. Chris Henederson - 12 (-1)

14T. Jose Burciaga Jr. - 11 (N/A) - The Wizards left back that likes to attack, Jose has become known for scoring some rocket goals, against San Jose a few seasons ago, as well as his blast in the 90th minute this season against Houston. He also took over the penalty taking duties this season going 3 for 3 from the penalty spot.












14T. Francisco Gomez - 11 (-1)

14T. Paul Wright - 11 (-1)

17. Sasha Victorine - 10 (-1)

18. Jimmy Conrad - 9 (-2)

19T. Jack Jewsbury - 7 (+1)

19T. Roy Lassister - 7 (-3)

19T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-3)

Dropped Off
Dario Fabbro

The Wizards will likely have to wait a very long while for any change in the top spot, as the highest active player on the list is Davy Arnaud in the 5 spot with 21 goals. If Scott Sealy continues his goal scoring form the past 2 seasons, he has a shot at moving up into the number 4 postion ahead of Digital and possibly even into 3rd place with a 13 goal season.

The prospects to come on to this list next season are also rather low, baring a new face coming in and lighting up the net, these are the 6 current Wizards with goals

Kerry Zavagnin - 5 (Hasn't scored a goal in league since the 2003 season.)
Ryan Pore - 3 (Likely the second most likely on this list to join the top 20.)
Alex Zotinca - 3 (2 goals last season, is unlikely to move into the top 20.)
Eddie Johnson - 2 (The most likely candidate to move into the top 20 from this list, if he gets his head on straight.)
Shavar Thomas - 2 (A threat on set pieces, but is mainly a bench player behind Jimmy and Nick.)
Nick Garcia - 1 (The first goal of Nick's 7 year MLS career came this season, probably the player on this list least likely to join the top 20.)

Top Scores through the 2005 season

On to the 2005 season.

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003 - 2004


The 2005 season was a major disappointment for the Wizards, after making MLS Cup the year before, the Wizards failed to make the playoffs in 2005. They also failed in their attempt to repeat as US Open Cup Champs, falling to the Minnesota Thunder. As the season was getting close to winding down, the Wizards looked poised to make a run at returning to MLS Cup. The Wizards though went on a long winless streak to close out the season, allowing the MetroStars a chance to top them. The Wizards held their own destiny though, a win in Dallas in the last game of the season would have put them in the playoffs. Unfortunately the Wizards were only able to manage a tie, thanks to Preki's last professional goal. This meant the Wizards needed Chivas to win at home against the MetroStars. The Wizards though were struck by karma as their former starting keeper Tony Meola came up big in the game, denying Chivas on numerous occasions to help the MetroStars get into the playoffs.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries.

1. Preki - 71 (-)

2. Chris Klein - 39 (-)

3. Mo Johnston - 31 (-)

4. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

5. Josh Wolff - 22 (+3)

6. Mark Chung - 20 (-1)

7. Davy Arnaud - 17 (+1)

8. Chris Brown - 15 (-2)

9. Matt McKeon - 13 (-2)

10T. Igor Simutenkov - 12 (-2)

10T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (-2)

10T. Chris Henderson - 12 (-2)

13T. Francisco Gomez - 11 (-)

13T. Paul Wright - 11 (-)

15 Scott Sealy - 9 (N/A) - The second Wizards forward from TnT. The Wizards picked Sealy up in the first round of the draft after what many saw as a lack luster performance from last seasons first round pick at forward, Matt Taylor, was left unprotected in the expansion draft and was taken by Chivas USA. Sealy was second on the team in scoring his rookie season behind Josh Wolff.














16T. Jimmy Conrad - 7 (+2)

16T. Sasha Victorine - 7 (N/A) - Sasha came over in a draft day trade with the LA Galaxy. The move paid off for the Wizards, as Sasha has been a consistent utility man for the Wizards as well as a veteran leader for the team.












16T. Roy Lassister - 7 (-1)

16T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-1)

20T. Jack Jewsbury - 6 (N/A) - "Action Jackson" as he's called continued to earn time with the Wizards in his third season for the team. While he played less minutes then the 2004 season, Jack was able to score 4 more goals to bring his total up to 6.












20T. Dario Fabbro - 6 (-3)

Dropped Off
Stephen Armstrong
Kerry Zavagnin
Gary Glasgow

Kerry is the first player to drop off the list while still being on the Wizards roster the following season. The other 15 players to have dropped off the list were not on the team the season after they dropped off.

Scorers Through 2004

Onto the 2004 season for the Wizards top goal scorers.

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002 - 2003

The 2004 season had the Wizards return to the glory. They first made the US Open Cup final, where they defeated the McDonald's clad Chicago Fire 1-0 in overtime thanks to an Igor Simutenkov golden goal. The Wizards then went on to win the Western Conference, and lost out on the Supporters Shield by 2 goals. Kansas City then went into the playoffs, overcoming a 2-0 deficite in the first leg of their series with San Jose to win that series 3-2. They then went past LA 2-0 and into the MLS Cup. There the Wizards got an early lead from Jose Burciaga Jr., but a missed hand ball by everyones favorite vertically challenged referee helped DC United back into the game as United won their 4th MLS Cup.

Onto the rankings.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries.

1. Preki - 69 (-)

2. Chris Klein - 32 (+1)

3. Mo Johnston - 31 (-1)

4. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-1)

5. Mark Chung - 20 - (-)

6. Chris Brown - 15 (-)

7. Matt McKeon - 13 (-)

8T. Igor Simutenkov - 12 (+2)

8T. Davy Arnaud - 12 (N/A) - Davy's breakout season, as he partnered with Josh Wolff up top most of the season. Included this season was a hattrick against Dallas on July 3rd, and scoring both goals in the 2-0 win over LA in the conference finals.












8T. Josh Wolff - 12 (N/A) - Josh was Davy's striking partner throughout the season. Brought in before the 2003 season, Josh struggled in his first year in KC mostly with injuries, but came back to score 10 goals in the 2004 season to lead the team in scoring.













8T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (-)

8T. Chris Henderson - 12 (-)

13T. Francisco Gomez - 11 (-1)

13T. Paul Wright - 11 (-3)

15T. Roy Lassiter - 7 (-2)

15T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-2)

17. Dario Fabbro - 6 (-2)

18T. Jimmy Conrad - 5 (+1)

18T. Stephen Armstrong - 5 (-2)

18T. Kerry Zavagnin - 5 (-2)

18T. Gary Glasgow - 5 (-2)

At the end of this season, there were only 3 players left on the list that scored all their goals in one season, Molnar, Lassiter, and Fabbro.

Dropped Off
Onandi Lowe
Alex Bunbury
Alexi Lalas
Paul Rideout
Mike Sorber

The 2003 Season

We're on to the 2003 season.

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001 - 2002

The 2003 season saw the Wizards return to form, finishing second in the Western Conference and making it to the conference finals in the playoffs. Facing off against San Jose in the Western Conference finals, the Wizards had taken a 2-1 lead thanks to Chris Klein. The Wizards looked like they'd be on their way to MLS Cup for the second time in history, but San Jose came back with an 83rd minute equalizer from Brian Mullan, and then a Golden Goal by Landon Donovan 3 minutes before it went to PKs ended the Wizards season, 3-2. That score line came into play the next season when the 2 met in the first round of the playoffs, in a 2 legged affair. San Jose won the first leg 2-0 and looked to eliminate the Wizards. In the second leg at Arrowhead though a Khari Stephenson strike, a Brian Ching own goal, and a Jack Jewsbury goal deep into stoppage time helped the Wizards reverse the score line from the previous season.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries.

1. Preki - 69 (-)

2. Mo Johnston - 31 (-)

3T. Chris Klein - 28 (+1)

3T. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

5. Mark Chung - 20 (-)

6. Chris Brown - 15 (-)

7. Matt McKeon - 13 (-1)

8T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (-)

8T. Chris Henderson - 12 (-)

10T. Igor Simutenkov - 11 (+6)

10T. Paul Wright - 11 (-)

12. Francisco Gomez - 10 (-1)

13T. Roy Lassister - 7 (-2)

13T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-2)

15. Dario Fabbro - 6 (-1)

16T. Kerry Zavagnin - 5 (-)

16T. Stephen Armstrong - 5 (N/A) - The South African Armstrong in his second season with the Wizards broke into the top 20 with 2 more goals in the 2003 season to go along with the 3 he scored in 2002.




















16T. Gary Glasgow - 5 (-1)

19T. Jimmy Conrad - 4 (N/A) - Now a first choice national team player and captain in the friendly against Denmark, Jimmy was traded to the Wizards before the 2003 season and since then has been a force in the Wizards defense, three times being named to the MLS Best XI as well as winning MLS defender of the year in 2005.












19T. Onandi Lowe - 4 (-3)

19T. Alex Bunbury - 4 (-3)

19T. Alexi Lalas - 4 (-3)

19T. Paul Rideout - 4 (-3)

19T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-3)

No one dropped off this season, but it's the last for the last 5, all of whom were able to score 4 goals in one season, but either retired, left, or didn't produce again for the Wizards.

2002 top scorers

We're now on to the 2002 season in the history of the Wizards top scorer

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000 - 2001

With the contraction of Miami and Tampa, the expansion draft brought the Wizards all time leading scorer, Preki back to Kansas City. The Wizards finished last in the Western Conference but due to the top 8 overall making the playoffs, the Wizards got in just before the MetroStars. This season we also see our first change to the top 4. The Top 4 the first 6 seasons of the Wizards history had been Preki, Digital, Mo, and Mark Chung in some order. Chris Klein finally broke into the top 4 this season.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries. And we're off again...

1. Preki - 57 (-)

2. Mo Johnston - 31 (-)

3. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

4. Chris Klein - 22 (+1)

5. Mark Chung - 20 (-1)

6T. Matt McKeon - 13 (-)

6T. Chris Brown - 13 (+4)

8T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (-2)

8T. Chris Henderson - 12 (-2)

10 Paul Wright - 11 (-1)

11T. Roy Lassiter - 7 (-)

11T. Francisco Gomez - 7 (-)

11T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-)

14. Dario Fabbro - 6 (N/A) - Dario came in midseason with Igor Simutenkov to help add some punch to the Wizards scoring. While Dario had the better return on in their first season, these were all the goals he'd score in a Wizards uniform.










15. Gary Glasgow - 5 (-1)

16T. Kerry Zavagnin - 4 (+4)

16T. Igor Simutenkov - 4 (N/A) - Came in with Fabbro, Igor was able to last longer in Wizards blue then Fabbro was. In fact, Igor probably scored the second or third biggest goal in Wizards history after Molnar's MLS Cup winner and mini-series winner, in the US Open Cup Final in 2004 in overtime against Chicago. One of, if not, the last golden goals ever scored in professional soccer, as FIFA has done away with the rule.












16T. Paul Rideout - 4 (-1)

16T. Onandi Lowe - 4 (-1)

16T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-1)

16T. Alexi Lalas - 4 (-1)

16T. Alex Bunbury - 4 (-1)

Slowly things are looking a little more respectable numbers wise, at least by the 2002 season the top 10 scorers were all in double digits.

Dropped off:
Ryan Tinsley
Sean Bowers
Alan Prampin

Top Scorers through 2001

Here we are, back again.

1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999 - 2000

The 2001 season saw quite a bit of turnaround from the championship season of 2000. Traded away were fan favorites Preki and Chris Henderson to Miami. In the place of Miklos Molnar up top, was then league all time leading scorer Roy Lassiter. The Wizards made the playoffs but were knocked out in the first round by... you guessed it, Miami.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries. So here are the top scorers through the 1999 season. On to the rankings.


1. Preki - 50 (-)

2. Mo Johnston - 31 (-)

3. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

4. Mark Chung - 20 (-)

5. Chris Klein - 15 (-)

6T. Matt McKeon - 12 (+3)

6T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (-1)

6T. Chris Henderson - 12 (-1)

9. Paul Wright - 11 (-1)

10. Chris Brown - 9 (+1)

11T. Francisco Gomez - 7 (+5)

11T. Roy Lassiter - 7 (N/A) - As the leagues all time leading scorer heading into the season, many Wizards fans had high hopes for Lassiter coming in and filling the gap left by Molnar's retirement. Thigns did not go that well as in the 23 games he played he only scored 7 goals.








11T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-2)

14. Gary Glasgow - 5 (+2)

15T. Onandi Lowe - 4 (N/A) - Onandi came in half way through the season from Rochester to help add some scoring to the team. These were the only 4 goals Lowe scored in his 1 season with the Wizards.












15T. Alex Bunbury - 4 (-4)

15T. Alexi Lalas - 4 (-4)

15T. Paul Rideout - 4 (-4)

15T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-4)

20T. Kerry Zavagnin - 3 (N/A) - Kerry is better known for his work as a defensive midfielder then for his scoring ability. His emergence during the 2000 season helped thrust him into the national team picture for the coming years.












20T. Ryan Tinsley - 3 (-4)

20T. Sean Bowers - 3 (-4)

20T. Alan Prampin - 3 (-4)

2000

Moving on to the 2000 season in my short little series of blogs that cronicles the Wizards all time leading scorer as the league has progressed. We're now up to 2000.
Here are the previous seasons up to this point:
1996 - 1997 - 1998 - 1999

In 2000 the Wizards, under Bob Gansler, in his first full season won the supporters shield and MLS Cup. With the Danish Dynamite Miklos Molnar leading the way, the Wizards marched through the regular season amasing 57 points. In the playoffs came a moment many Wizards fans consider the greatest moment in team history. After tying their first to 6 point series against LA with a Molnar penalty, the Wizards and Galaxy went into the mini-game. Early in that mini-game Preki sent a long lofted ball deep into the Galaxy half of the field that Mo Johnston challenged Danny Califf for. Mo won the ball knocking it on to Molnar who beat Kevin Hartman, sending the Wizards to their first MLS Cup. The image below of Mo is an image most Wizards fans will never forget.










The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries. So here are the top scorers through the 1999 season. Now onto the list.

1. Preki - 50 (-)

2. Mo Johnston - 30 (+1)

3. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-1)

4. Mark Chung - 20 (-)

5T. Chris Klein - 12 (2)

5T. Chris Henderson - 12 (9)

5T. Miklos Molnar - 12 (N/A) - The Danish Dynamite, the hero of the 2000 season for the Wizards. Leading goalscorer for the season even though he missed time while with the Danish national team at Euro 2000. Scored huge goals, including the winning goal in game 3 of the semifinals against LA, the mini-game winner of that series, and the MLS Cup winner against the Fire.












8. Paul Wright - 11 (-3)

9T. Matt McKeon - 7 (-1)

9T. Frank Klopas - 7 (-3)

11T. Chris Brown - 4 (-3)

11T. Alex Bunbury - 4 (-3)

11T. Alexi Lalas - 4 (-3)

11T. Paul Rideout - 4 (-3)

11T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-3)

16T. Francisco Gomez - 3 (+4)

16T. Gary Glasgow - 3 (N/A) - The first of 2 Trinidad and Tabago internationals to play for the Wizards, the other being Scott Sealy, Glasgow wasn't ever able to take on the bigger role that was likely expected of him after the retirement of Molnar after the 2000 season.













16T. Ryan Tinsley - 3 (-2)

16T. Sean Bowers - 3 (-2)

16T. Alan Prampin - 3 (-2)

There's your top 20 scorers through the 2000 season. The list will continue tomorrow, moving on to the 2001 season.

Who fell off:
Scott Uderitz
Uche Okafor
"Sneaky" Pete Marino
Scott Vermillion
Edmundo Rodriguez
Brian Johnson
Yari Allnutt

Wizards top scorers through 1999

Back with the top 20 scorers in Wizards history through the 1999 season.

Here are the 1996, 1997, and 1998 top scorers as well.

The 1999 season was definitly one to forget for Wizards fans. The Wizards started the season 0-7, including two loses by shootout. Combine that with their 3 game losing streak to end the 1998 season, and the Wizards went 10 games without a win, finally earning their first win of the season May 8th against the Galaxy. They also did not score a goal until the 4th game of the season in their 2-1 shootout loss to San Jose, April 10th. It was the teams first goal since September 5th the year before. It was also the end of the line for the teams first coach, Ron Newman.

The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries. So here are the top scorers through the 1999 season.

1. Preki - 47 (-)

2. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

3. Mo Johnston - 26 (-)

4. Mark Chung - 20 (-)

5. Paul Wright - 11 (-)

6. Frank Klopas - 7 (-)

7. Chris Klein - 6 (N/A) - A fan favorite for the Wizards for a long time on the wing before his trade to RSL before the 2006 season.












8T. Chris Brown - 4 (N/A) - Chris Brown is a great practice player, or at least that's what everyone said, because how else could it be justified to start him?










8T. Alex Bunbury - 4 (N/A) - Canadian international that played for the Wizards in 99 and 2000, but injuries in 2000 limited his appearances and these were all the goals he scored.















8T. Alexi Lalas - 4 (N/A) - Came over with Tony Meola from New York. This was his only season in the Wizards blue as he "retired" after the season, only to come back and play a few more years for LA.














8T. Matt McKeon - 4 (-1)

8T. Paul Rideout - 4 (-1)

8T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-1)

14T. Chris Henderson - 3 (N/A) - Another Wizards favorite who's always gotten a warm reception upon his return to KC, mainly for his efforts in helping the Wizards to the 2000 MLS Cup title. He's now back with the Wizards, this time as an assistant coach to Curt Onalfo.














14T. Ryan Tinsley - 3 (-4)

14T. Sean Bowers - 3 (-4)

14T. Alan Prampin - 3 (-4)

18T. Scott Uderitz - 2 (-5)

18T. Uche Okafor - 2 (-5)

20T. Francisco Gomez - 1 (N/A) - Better known for putting the ball into row Z then into the net for the Wizards, Gomez was thought to be a Preki replacement, but instead was drafted by Chivas in the expansion draft in 2005 before Preki had even retired.












20T. "Sneaky" Pete Marino - 1 (-5)

20T. Scott Vermillion - 1 (-5)

20T. Brian Johnson - 1 (-5)

20T. Edmundo Rodriguez - 1 (-5)

20T. Yari Allnutt - 1 (-5)

Another season, and this time there are finally 20 goal scorers in the Wizards history. This is also the last season that a player with only 1 or 2 goals appears on the list. The 2000 season will either be up later tonight or tomorrow.

Wizards top 20 through 1998

Here we are continuing the route through the Wizards 11 year history of top scorers.

Here you can view the top scorers through 1996 and 1997.

We now move on to the 1998, the first season that the Wizards failed to make the playoffs, one season after they'd won the regular season Western Conference title. The Wizards still hadn't had 20 goal scorers in their history by the end of this third season. They'd had a toal of 19 at the end of this season. The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries.

1. Preki - 40 (-)

2. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 28 (-)

3. Mo Johnston - 23 (+1)

4. Mark Chung - 20 (-1)

5. Paul Wright - 11 (+1)

6. Frank Klopas - 7 (-1)

7T. Matt McKeon - 4 (-)

7T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-)

7T. Paul Rideout - 4 (N/A) - Now a youth soccer coach in the KC metro area, these were the only goals the former Everton star scored for the Wizards.















10T. Sean Bowers - 3 (-1)

10T. Alan Prampin - 3 (-1)

10T. Ryan Tinsley - 3 (+3)

13T Scott Uderitz - 2 (-2)

13T. Uche Okafor - 2 (-2)

15T. "Sneaky" Pete Marino - 1 (N/A) - His only goal for the Wizards. When he was with the team I'd always thought he never got a fair shake with the team, especially in a season where the team didn't do very well.











15T. Scott Vermillion - 1 (N/A) - The rookie from Olathe gets his only goal for the Wizards before he was traded to Colorado.










15T. Brian Johnson - 1 (-2)

15T. Edmundo Rodriguez - 1 (-2)

15T. Yari Allnutt - 1 (-2)

Wizards Top Scorers through 1997

Continuing from my post earlier today where I posted the top goal scorers in Wizards history through the 1996 season. I'm continuing with the top goal scorers through the 1997 season now. The number in parenthesis after the goal total is the players change in position from the year before. Pictures on this entry will only be of players who are making their first appearance on the list, for pictures of each player, check previous entries

1. Preki - 30 (-)

2. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 21 (-)

3. Mark Chung - 18 (-)

4. Mo Johnston - 12 (-)

5. Frank Klopas - 7 (+2)

6. Paul Wright - 5 (N/A) - The fastest man in MLS.















7T. Matt McKeon - 4 (N/A) - The Train Matt McKeon, the guy drafted ahead of Eddie Pope, worked out well for the Wizards didn't it?










7T. Mike Sorber - 4 (-3)

9T. Sean Bowers - 3 (N/A) - The Tower of Power Sean Bowers. Him throwing out a jersey after every game was always a really cool thing, I even remember getting one of those jerseys at one time.











9T. Alan Prampin - 3 (-4)

11T. Scott Uderitz - 2 (-4)

11T. Uche Okafor - 2 (-4)

13T. Ryan Tinsley - 1 (N/A) - The "Tin Man"






13T. Brian Johnson - 1 (N/A) - Sorry I don't have much to say about these 2, but neither did a whole lot, and both were around the time that I wasn't really following the team that closely to know the fringe players like these 2.










13T. Edmundo Rodriguez - 1 (N/A) - Out of all the names on all the scoring lists throughout the seasons for the Wizards, this was the one name that even I didn't even recognize. Apparently he played 16 games for the Wizards starting 4.












13T. Yari Allnutt - 1 (-3)

So there you have it, the leading scorers for the Wizards through the 1997 season. The top 4 remained the same, and the team has had a total of 16 players score.

Wizards Top 20 goal scorers

I'm taking a page from something the Climbing the Ladder blog has done recently. He's posted the top 25 league goal scorers over the course of MLS's now 11 year existence. Any Wizards fan can probably tell you who the Wizards all time leading scorer is, he's our hero, recently named coach of Chivas USA, Preki. After that though, do people really know who the other top scorers are in the teams history? Sure you can guess at players that are up there, Mo Johnston, Digital Takawira, Josh Wolff, etc, but I was curious as to who the top scorers were as the seasons progressed. The majority of the pictures of the players come from the MLS Photo collection put together by the Climbing the Ladder blog.

So without further ado, here are the Wizards Top scorers for their inaugural season in 1996

1. Preki - 18 - A strong first season by Preki put him into the top spot in the first season and has yet to relinquish years later.












2. Vitalis "Digital" Takawira - 13 - Crawl Digital Crawl, the largest output from the popular Zimbabwean during his time with the team.

















3. Mark Chung - 8 - Wizards first round pick in the 96 draft.



















4. Mo Johnston - 6 - The current Toronto FC coach came into the league just in time to score 2 goals in what at the time was the highest scoring game in league history (KC 6-Columbus 4, May 2, 1996)



















5. Mike Sorber - 4 - The Wizards first allocation.















6. Alan Prampin - 3 - Wizards 10th round pick, had 2 appearances for the US National team in 1993.












7T. Frank Klopas - 2 - Another of the Wizards original allocations, played 2 seasons with the Wizards before moving to his home town team in Chicago.















7T. Scott Uderitz - 2 - Had been playing indoor soccer before moving to the Wizards.










7T. Uche Okafor - 2 - Nigerian international anchored the Wizards defense until 1999.













10. Yari Allnut - 1 - Played a total of 45 minutes for the Wizards, scoring 1 goal.










So there is the Wizards 96 season, the Wizards only had 10 goal scorers that season. I'll get the 97 season up later and continue this.

Wizards Info

Through an outside source, I have heard that the Kansas City Wizards have apparently begun the negotiation period with companies for the concessions for the Wizards next season. The team is in negotiations with Centerplate. The intriguing thing about all of this is that Centerplate is also “the exclusive concessionaire for Arrowhead Stadium.”

More intrigue is added to this story when I put this new information in with another rumor that I had heard about the Truman Sports Complex. As most people know, back in April, Jackson County residents approved a 3/8 cent sales tax increase to give $850 million for the Truman Sports Complex to renovate both Arrowhead and Kauffman Stadium. These renovations were to start once the Chiefs completed play this past season, presumably making it impossible for the Wizards to play their in the 2007 season.

Not so fast on that according to some other information regarding Arrowhead. Apparently the first phase of the renovations to the stadium will not involve the seating area or the field area. This would technically make it possible for the Wizards to play their home games at Arrowhead Stadium next season.

So is it possible that the Kansas City Wizards could be trying to work something out to be back at Arrowhead again next year? Or did the Wizards just think that Centerplate did an amazing job with the concessions at the games?

What Else Do You Talk About Today?

So on a day like today there really isn't much else you can talk about then...

David Beckham.

Yes, it's finally happened, Mr. David Beckham has come to the United States to Play for the LA Galaxy for the next 5 years. In a deal that can make him up to $250 million over that 5 year span. Now most people will look at that and say $50 million a year? The thing with that is that also includes the rights to his own image, meaning he'll earn the money from sales of his own merchandise.

Here's the breakdown of Beckham's $50 million a yearthat I found on another site:

• MLS pays: $400,000/yr. per Designated Player rules
• AEG is paying: $9 million/yr. (reported salary)
• The rest has to come from Beckham retaining 100% of his image rights:
• $44 million/yr. (reportedly)
• Add all that up and you have approx. $55 million/yr. * 5 years = $250 million over 5 years.

One thing I am curious about is how the Galaxy will find another DP slot next year, as the grandfathering period ends for Donovan, Adu, Eddie Johnson, and any other MLS player that had been making over the salary cap and was grandfathered into the leagues new DP situation. I would think (and hope) that any MLS team that hasn't used their DP slot by next season would hold it for a kings ransom from LA. because everyone knows it'd be used to keep Donovan on the Galaxy. Knowing how MLS has done things in the past, LA will probably get it for like a first round draft pick and a fring roster player.

So now that Beckham is here, what's next? Looks like we could be getting another DP signing in the next week, as Ronaldo could be coming across the pond to join the Red Bulls. Claudio Reyna could be headed to the US as well, with the Red Bulls being the lead contender to land Captain America. Finally in the DP department, we could be seeing another DP signing coming as well. Buzz Carrick over at 3rd Degree is reporting that FC Dallas are in talks with Tottenham HotSpurs Edgar Davids about coming to the US.]

Some good news that has passed under the radar today, was this good news. Dempsey's work permit went through and he has now joined Fulham FC. Congrats to him on his move, and here's to hoping we get to see him doing his rap video immitations and other celebrations many times in the EPL.

Now I didn't want to end this entry without some Wizards info, and unfortuantely, it's sad news unfotunately. The Wizards have traded Dave van den Bergh to the Red Bulls for a 3rd Round Supplemental Pick. This move has pissed off myself along with other Wizards fans, as this isn't a 3rd round pick, it's a 3rd round pick in the draft after the SuperDraft, meaning it's likely gonna be a pick we either pass on or pick someone we cut in training camp. You can't tell me you couldn't get more for him then a 3rd round supplimental pick? This is a poor trade for the team, van den Bergh was coming around last season, he scored some big goals late in the season for us and had contributed quite a bit.

Wizards Home for 2007

The Wizards are currently homeless. The team can't play in Arrowhead next year due to the renovations that will be occurring there. Since that time, there has been plenty of debate over where the Wizards would play. Most of that debate seemed to focus on a high school facility in Johnson County. Sites that were consistently brought up by Wizards fans were Blue Valley Atheltic Complex, Olathe District Athletic Complex, Rockhurst High School, Park University, and College Boulevard Activity Center.

Recently an email went out to many Wizards season ticket holders and other fans. This email came with 6 possible locations to play at and fans were asked to rank them 1 through 6 on their order of preference. The six locations were

1. Ray-Pec HS
2. Rockhurst HS
3. BVDAC
4. CBAC
5. Park U.
6. Community America Ballpark

Ray-Pec had appearred as a late idea to the process as another possible location. My understand of the situation, though, was that 3 of these locations were not necessarily serious sites, but instead were put on the list as filler. One obvious filler site was Community America Ballpark because a field will not fit inside that facility. So the list was knocked down to 5. While Park University had hosted a few US Open Cup games, the lack of parking at the facility was a major draw back for many people, so that was likely another one that was filler. The third filler site was likely also a site that the Wizards used regularly for the US Open Cup, this would be BVDAC, Blue Valley Distric Athletic Complex. Here is was likely a lack of space to add seats on. The soccer side of the complex holds about 2200 people and there likely isn't enough space to add in another, at least, 6000 seats.

That leaves us with 3 possible locations, Ray-Pec, Rockhurst, and CBAC. While Ray-Pec had been the one getting the publicity about the Wizards coming there, among Wizards fans it apparently did not do so well, finishing near the bottom of the voting for the 6 locations. In an email that an employee of the school district posted on bigsoccer.com recently, the district said that the Wizards were going to be playing somewhere else next season.

So from the six above, we're now down to 2 locations, CBAC and Rockhurst. One deciding factor in location could be the playing surface, the players have apparently been pushing for a natural grass facility, which would rule out Rockhurst which has field turf. Then today in the star in an article about Ray-Pec's being out of the running for the Wizards, the superintendent was apparently told that the Wizards would be going to Olathe for their games. If this is to be believed that they are going to be playing in Olathe, and those 2 locations are the only 2 left, that means that the Wizards home for the next 2 season will be College Boulevard Activity Center. Take that for what you will, but it seems that next season the Wizards will be playing at the same location as the 2005 NAIA women's National Championships were held.

For those of you that don't know, here is a picture of the College Boulevard Complex



OTHER NEWS

Chris Henderson has come back to the Wizards. As was told to season ticket holders at the Christmas party, Chris Henderson has joined the Wizards staff as an assistant coach, bringing a fan favorite back to the team where he helped win the 2000 MLS Cup.