The Kansas City Wizards announced Tuesday that the team will not be renewing the contract of Argentine midfielder Claudio Lopez. The team had been in negotiations with Lopez throughout the preseason.
"We would have liked to have Claudio back in 2010, but unfortunately it became clear early in the contract negotiations that we could not give him what he desired," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.
"We thank Claudio for his two years of service here in Kansas City. He was a consummate professional and set a good example for the young players on our team both on and off the field. Looking forward to 2010, we are confident in the players we have in camp and there will be great competition for starting spots before our home opener on March 27th."
Considered to be one of the most skillful Argentines of his generation, Lopez played for two years with the Wizards, signing on in 2008 as the team's first designated player. He put up consistent numbers in both of his Kansas City campaigns, recording six goals and seven assists in 2008 and seven goals and eight assists in 2009. However, Lopez will be remembered by Wizards fans for scoring one of the most memorable goals in the history of the organization last season against the Los Angeles Galaxy. With a sell-out crowd at CommunityAmerica Ballpark and a national television audience on ESPN, Lopez collected an innocuous-looking clearance at half field, took a touch and lofted an inch-perfect shot over Galaxy goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts to give Kansas City the lead. The strike from 60 yards out also went down as the longest goal in Wizards history.
Before joining the Wizards, Lopez enjoyed a successful career abroad, having starred for Racing in his native Argentina before moving to Valencia in Spain in 1996. Lopez enjoyed his most prolific period with the Spanish side, making 123 appearances with 42 goals in five years with the club. Lopez led the team to a Champions League runner-up spot in 2000 and also won the Spanish Super Cup and the Copa del Rey in 1999. In 2000, Lopez was transferred to Italian Serie A side Lazio for $44 million - the third-highest transfer fee of that year and one of the top 50 most expensive transfers of all time. With Lazio, Lopez scored 28 goals in 105 appearances before moving on to Club America, one of the most successful clubs in Mexico, in 2004.
Lopez is notable for being the second player in the history of the Kansas City Wizards to have scored in a World Cup, having scored in the 1998 quarterfinals against the Netherlands. He was also named to Argentina's squad for the 2002 World Cup. In all, Lopez earned 58 caps with Argentina's national team, scoring 10 goals.
2/13/10
Early Signs of Alzheimer's for Sepp Blatter?
FIFA president Sepp Blatter has stated that the furore over John Terry's alleged affair with Wayne Bridge's former girlfriend would have been much less severe in countries other than England.
Indeed, Blatter believes that the center-back would have been applauded in Latin countries for his alleged infidelity, and certainly would not have been stripped of the national captaincy.
"Listen, this is a special approach in the Anglo-Saxon countries," the Swiss told reporters in Vancouver, where he is attending the International Olympic Committee's session.
"If this had happened in let's say Latin countries then I think he would have been applauded."
Terry has been given compassionate leave by his club this weekend as he looks to save his marriage. According to reports he is flying to Dubai to spend some time with his wife.
England manager Fabio Capello last week replaced the Chelsea star as Three Lions captain with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
Indeed, Blatter believes that the center-back would have been applauded in Latin countries for his alleged infidelity, and certainly would not have been stripped of the national captaincy.
"Listen, this is a special approach in the Anglo-Saxon countries," the Swiss told reporters in Vancouver, where he is attending the International Olympic Committee's session.
"If this had happened in let's say Latin countries then I think he would have been applauded."
Terry has been given compassionate leave by his club this weekend as he looks to save his marriage. According to reports he is flying to Dubai to spend some time with his wife.
England manager Fabio Capello last week replaced the Chelsea star as Three Lions captain with Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand.
2/8/10
San Jose Announces 2010 Schedule
Earthquakes Announce Preseason Schedule, Onward to Phoenix and London
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced the remainder of their preseason schedule today. The team travels to Phoenix for one week, from Sunday, Feb. 7 continuing on through Saturday, Feb. 13. The Quakes then return home until they travel across the pond to London from Thursday March 4 until Sunday, March 14.
While in the Phoenix area, San Jose will train every day at the Arizona State University Soccer Complex and play two exhibition games. Both matches will be against the Kansas City Wizards with the first taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10:00 a.m. PT and the second on Saturday, Feb. 13 also at 10:00 a.m. PT.
The Earthquakes will then return home to continue their preseason training from Monday, Feb. 15 through Wednesday, March 3. During that stretch, they will train and play some exhibition matches in the area.
From Thursday, March 4 until Sunday, March 14 the Quakes will be in London, where they will train at club partner Tottenham Hotspur FC’s training ground. The team will play a number of matches during that time period. The full schedule of games in London will be announced in the near future.
Other preseason exhibition matches will also be announced in the near future. San Jose opens the 2010 regular season on Saturday, March 27 against defending MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and will air live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Earthquakes Preseason Schedule
Feb. 7-13 – Training in Phoenix, Ariz.
Feb. 14- March 3 – Training in Bay Area
March 4-14 – Training in London at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground
March 15-March 26 – Training in Bay Area
Current Preseason Match Schedule
Feb. 6 – Real San Jose – 3-0 W (Wondolowski, Ibarra, Gjertsen) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. PT – Kansas City Wizards
Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. PT – Kansas City Wizards
Additional Games - TBD
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The San Jose Earthquakes announced the remainder of their preseason schedule today. The team travels to Phoenix for one week, from Sunday, Feb. 7 continuing on through Saturday, Feb. 13. The Quakes then return home until they travel across the pond to London from Thursday March 4 until Sunday, March 14.
While in the Phoenix area, San Jose will train every day at the Arizona State University Soccer Complex and play two exhibition games. Both matches will be against the Kansas City Wizards with the first taking place on Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 10:00 a.m. PT and the second on Saturday, Feb. 13 also at 10:00 a.m. PT.
The Earthquakes will then return home to continue their preseason training from Monday, Feb. 15 through Wednesday, March 3. During that stretch, they will train and play some exhibition matches in the area.
From Thursday, March 4 until Sunday, March 14 the Quakes will be in London, where they will train at club partner Tottenham Hotspur FC’s training ground. The team will play a number of matches during that time period. The full schedule of games in London will be announced in the near future.
Other preseason exhibition matches will also be announced in the near future. San Jose opens the 2010 regular season on Saturday, March 27 against defending MLS Cup Champion Real Salt Lake at Buck Shaw Stadium. The match kicks off at 6 p.m. PT and will air live on Fox Soccer Channel.
Earthquakes Preseason Schedule
Feb. 7-13 – Training in Phoenix, Ariz.
Feb. 14- March 3 – Training in Bay Area
March 4-14 – Training in London at Tottenham Hotspur’s training ground
March 15-March 26 – Training in Bay Area
Current Preseason Match Schedule
Feb. 6 – Real San Jose – 3-0 W (Wondolowski, Ibarra, Gjertsen) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Feb. 10 at 10 a.m. PT – Kansas City Wizards
Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. PT – Kansas City Wizards
Additional Games - TBD
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