The Fence Today, The Stadium Tomorrow

Discussion in 'Sporting Kansas City' started by RobbHeineman, Dec 9, 2008.

  1. RobbHeineman

    RobbHeineman New Member

    Feb 7, 2007
    So if you're not one of the 280,000 cars per day that passes the site soon to be the former Bannister Mall, you probably missed the fact that the demolition fence started going up today at 7am (technically yesterday). One small step for man, one giant leap for Wizkind (apologies to those that hate the fact that I go a little Wiz every now and then).

    I guess I haven't really done a year two review review yet, and frankly, if I'm going to post here, I probably owe it to you. Honestly, I have a hard time making a really bold statement about this year. We didn't win. We weren't terrible. We made bad moves. We made good moves. I'd prefer to not comment specifically on each, cause at the end of the day all of these guys (i) work hard, (ii) care, and (iii) for the most part are good guys.

    If asked in September 2006 about "when," (assuming u can't win every year) I would have said without question - 2009. That response would have been based primarily on a new stadium opening, much more so than team specific. So our lack of results on that combo proposition is laid squarely at the feet of C. Robb Heineman - so, oh well.

    As an amateur evaluator, I think we are setting up for a multi-year run. Whether or not we get things done, you never know, but I can tell you we are much more active than we've ever been this early. I think we've got a great roster and the probability says it will get better.

    IMO, I think all of us need to promote Davy more. Now that he's a year past surgery, I think he will be an absolute "nighty" in 2009 for defenses. His will is unbelievable. The whole "clone" expression is not strong enough for how we feel about him.

    We run the business side of our operation with the philosophy of promoting from within. I'm hopeful that every 20-something that works with us is gone within 5 years - off to bigger and better things. If that's the case, we'll have a hell of a program. I think PV and I are on the same page on this philosophy and I think Leathers, Myers, Roger, Matt, Suter and Holbein will continue to feature big time.

    So, basically what I'm saying is - we deserve to be beaten up, scrutinized, questioned, and constantly challenged because you pay to watch this s&%$. This is a horrendous economy and god forbid we try to sit in an ivory tower and pretend like the stuff u post is either irrelevant or wrong because we have people that are smarter than you are, or because wearing a leather jacket on the plaza gives you a pass.

    Life's harder every day, but our message is simple.....if you think we're bad - turn away; but if you think we might have that little something that catches your eye - please wink.

    happy holidays - rh
     
  2. Wizardman03

    Wizardman03 Member

    Nov 10, 2003
    Kansas City
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wink!!!

    Can't wait for tomorrow finally comes.
     
  3. cjgwizard

    cjgwizard Member

    Apr 25, 2006
    LSP, section 129
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    PROGRESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :):):) Robb, we love it when you come on BS and talk candidly with us. Please, if possible, schedule the official demolition/groundbreaking ceremony on a weekend so we can get a big bunch of people out to help celebrate. Sell mini gold shovels/t-shirts/beer steins with the historic date as souvenirs. Give us a party! As you well know, we need every reason possible to tailgate......

    I'll also throw in a wink. I can't wait until March 21st!
     
  4. jimbchr

    jimbchr Member

    Mar 3, 2008
    kcmo
    As gay as I feel winking at another man...WINK!!!
     
  5. Spoon

    Spoon Member

    Feb 25, 1999
    Overland Park Ks
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I will wink as well but it still doesn't eman everything is rosey is land of Wizards fan.

    Well I will have to disaggree with you on that Big Boss Man. Half of the seaon we were terrible. We couldn't get a point to save our lives at times and wasn't playing pretty soccer at all.

    Fixed your post.
    Unfortinitly there were more bad that good. The band-aid fixes didn't work out. (wolff and Abe) Wolff has lost his pace, and just isn't the same player he once was. Abe can do nothing but head the ball to another player 30 yards from goal. Heaven forbid he put the ball in the net from 3 yards out. Heck If that is the case I could do that same for a hell of alot cheaper. I know atleast I could put shots on frame.

    In the end Rob I an still going to pay to watch this Sh&%! Because I bleed blue and wouldn't know what to do with myself if there was no footy around to go watch.

    I second the comments of CJWizard and think there should be a bash for the ground breaking. I personally like the idea of a raffle for the rights to blow the place up. All proceeds go to the Wizards charity of choice. It would be a good time and a great PR move for the team.

    As always Rob thanks for your time.
     
  6. ezstreet

    ezstreet Member

    Jan 15, 2008
    Topeka, Kansas
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Wink...from a guy who has recently embraced soccer.

    I look forward to hearing back from you and writing up a great piece on the Wizards and the road ahead for the team.

    Peace Out.
     
  7. IASocFan

    IASocFan Moderator
    Staff Member

    Aug 13, 2000
    IOWA
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Great post, Robb! I agree particularly with the quoted parts! In my last 40+ years of trying to follow soccer and the last 13 following the Wiz, I don't think I've felt more excited about our progress.
     
  8. KCRovert

    KCRovert BigSoccer Supporter

    Jun 17, 2004
    Overland Park
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Thanks for the update Robb.

    And I couldn't agree more with your comments about Davy. He is a player if have always pointed out to people new to the Wizards (as well as any youth player who would listen to me). What a fantastic work effort....and in my opinion, the heart of the Wizards!!
     
  9. wz187

    wz187 Member

    Aug 30, 2006
    The team will have bad years and good years. In a league with a salary cap, that is just the way it is. What makes the bad years bearable is belief in the coaching and in the management/ownership. I think you started to see our faith in the coaching pushed to its limit as we were playing very ugly soccer for a while. However, I don't think any of us doubted the excellent FO and the good work that is being done there. I continue to be impressed with where the FO is taking this club and the stadium is just a part of that. I can't imagine that all the hard work will not pay off in more STH, and when it does, Hillcrest Rd will be rocking every other Saturday night (along with random Wednesday, Thursdays, and even Fridays and Tuesdays knowing MLS).
     
  10. wz187

    wz187 Member

    Aug 30, 2006
    Can we get commericails of Davy moving in on Jimmy's stardom and Conrad getting really pissed off about it?
     
  11. Felixx219

    Felixx219 BigSoccer Supporter

    Nov 8, 2004
    Kansas City, MO
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

    I completely agree. I have always felt that Davy is the most underrated player in the entire league. I have also hoped that he could make a run at the Golden Boot at some point in his career. If we can provide a supporting cast and he stays healthy, I think he can do that.
     
  12. BenC1357

    BenC1357 Member

    Feb 23, 2001
    KC
    I agree with Spoon that some sort of demolition party would be awesome. A reason to tailgate in the winter since the Chiefs aren't giving us the reason.
    We weren't terrible, but we sure acted like it for a while there in the middle. We were good late in the season, starting in August which was a time we historically have sucked at. That is progress, and the late season push was impressive. Now we need to do the same push, but have it be from 2nd place to 1st place to win the league.
    Moves aren't always going to work out, most fans are smart enough to understand that, but ultimately the personnel moves are going to make your team successful (or not). Wolff was slow when he came back, if he sticks around I certainly hope he brings more. Abe Thompson wasn't a good move IMO, but then again it wasn't like it was a blockbuster deal. I thought it had the same potential as the Gomez deal, and one of them worked out well so I'd say for those two relatively small moves getting a 50% payout isn't bad.
    A very loaded statement that could get a 10,000 word response but yes we could be in for a run. Building from within and keeping your good young players, not necessarily having the star studded rosters, seems to work (see: New England and Houston).
    I have said this since Davy joined the team. It is the reason he's been my favorite player for years. I'll never forget the jersey he gave me for my birthday, a few days after I paid $160 for a game worn jersey of his in an MLS auction. :)
    Good.
    Three teams that I support:
    Chiefs = the people who run the team talk down to reporters when they are asked the tough questions, and pretend that their fan bases are idiots who don't realize that they don't knwo what they are doing anymore. Some of the words that come out of Carl Peterson's mouth simply astound me at this point. You can't be that condecending, or frankly ignorant, and continue to have success. You must be in touch with your fans and how to run your organization.
    Royals = they'll just ban you from asking questions if you piss them off or ask them the tough questions. And they aren't committed to holding on to the great players they take the time to find.
    Wizards = open, honest, willing to take a bit of a beating, embraces their true fans. Is willing to make moves, albeit not always the most sexy moves, to win.

    Obviously these three franchises are on three different scales, but you couldn't have a better approach. It will pay off someday.
     
  13. wadejackson1

    wadejackson1 Member

    Mar 11, 2001
    Oh, PLEASE take us back to the WIZ!!!!!
     
  14. jimbchr

    jimbchr Member

    Mar 3, 2008
    kcmo
    It sure is nice to have ownership that actually cares about it's fanbase and actively engages in conversation with us. Next we just need him to toss a little stadium porn our way, it can even be softcore, I just want a peek at a general idea of what we have to look forward to.
     
  15. Wizardscharter

    Wizardscharter New Member

    Jul 25, 2001
    Blue Springs, MO
    Having two players signed that will be more productive that Davy Arnaud would truly qualify as exciting. Until then, KC is at best a middle table team living on hope and awaiting the youth to grow up.

    Also, there will be some normal adjustment from CAB and it's small field to a new one at Hillcrest with larger dimensions. Not fiundatmentally different to KC's adjustment to CAB. KC likely will not be worldbeaters just because a stadium opens. That and whatever shedule shift has to be made to accomodate a mid-season opening might have concequences.

    Anyway, as has been stated before, KC looks today and looked last off-season to be a 2011 contender. 2008 was a waste in competitive terms. 2009 reamins to be seen, but no signings as yet. Draft coming. 2010, KC doesn't have to be anything close to good as the new stadium will be the honeymoon.

    The rest of it is marketing...and that's fine for now, like a sandwich.

    I like admissions of flaws. All that shows things we like, I guess. Still, it pales to what everyone can agree is wanted, that being hanging banners/winning trophies. One has meaning, one doesn't. You lift a trophy and you dan't have to apologize or explain.

    I don't. Further, he shouln't need to. This team can't be about Arnaud having to carry it. Arnaud will always flourish if he is one of 6 or 7 options. KC will always be more effective in their attacking style when defenses must think about multiple things. Pretty basic.

    As Davy has equally high ability both passing and shooting, better for everyone around if he has a pure sniper up top to convert in bunches. If Davy is the team's leading goal scorer KC isn't maximally successful. That isn't likely to change over a 30 game season.

    KC is more than just the kids growing up and a spectacular Arnaud away from winning titles. One clear issue aside from the roster is the simple ability to put a shot on net. KC couldn't do that in '08. They were keeping company with the recent expansion sides. Is that coaching, players ineptitude, FO decisions? Whatever, it needs to change. The quickest way to change it is by signing guys who can hit the net. Let them play with Arnaud and Co.

    Half the current side improving, the other half maintaining, a draft with 1 player cabable of adding to the Senior side and two good SI signings with at least one at pure forward puts KC into the discussion, probably still at some trailing length. This only because Columbus are the Champs and are still a young team in many ways. The bar is high, as it should be.

    Anything less than that means KC isn't serious about (or isn't capable of ) the top level. In the FO's case, merely getting to 2011 remains (or becomes, depending on POV) the goal. Again, I was saying this a year ago. In '08 Argie guys didn't work and they were lucky to find Wolff available and get warmish late. It happens.

    Bottom line under OnGoal: KC the city has given many milions to OnGoal, KC on the field has gone from 9th to 7th, has roughly an even record, has broken in a rookie TD and head coach, has won exactly nothing, a roster with one SI of occasional game changing quality, and has a stadium coming someday.

    OnGoal is Aces. Fans, however, are coming up a little short. We would like to see more.
     
  16. AndyMead

    AndyMead Homo Sapien

    Nov 2, 1999
    Seat 12A
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    My main problem with this season is that we could have won this year.

    We were two games away from hardware in the U.S. Open Cup with a weakened USL1 side ahead of us. First and goal to go and we punted.

    Imagine the season analysis if we, instead of DC United, were Open Cup winners.

    That's what frustrates me. It's one thing to "care", it's another thing to show that you "care" - and by "you" I mean the organization.

    Sports fans want two things. If you give them one, they're generally fine. Those two things are that they 1) want to be entertained and 2) want to win.
     
  17. Kot Matroskin

    Kot Matroskin Member+

    Aug 10, 2007
    SF Bay Area
    Your wish is my command.
    [​IMG]
     
  18. Goalieo

    Goalieo Member

    Sep 5, 2005
    Springfield, MO
    Club:
    Tottenham Hotspur FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
     
  19. FRYE!

    FRYE! New Member

    Oct 21, 2007
    KC
    just read a copy of the Hickman Mills C-1 School Reportin which the cover article is "Bannister Mall Recevelopment Moving Forward". the Hickman Mills/Ruskin community is very excited to see the stadium project making progress. students have told me they are looking forward to having something to be proud of in our neighborhood in place of the eyesore that Bannister Mall has become. after sitting empty for more than a year and a half, it's about time for a change.
     
  20. Evidica

    Evidica New Member

    May 19, 2008
    Overland Park, KS
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think the mall just foreshadowed that entire area, but we will see.
     
  21. AndyMead

    AndyMead Homo Sapien

    Nov 2, 1999
    Seat 12A
    Club:
    Sporting Kansas City
    Ingels Elementary Rules!!!!
     

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