Wizards - 2004 Award Winners

AndyMead · Oct 22, 2004

Wizards Press Release:

WIZARDS ANNOUNCE 2004 TEAM AWARD WINNERS
Josh Wolff and Jimmy Conrad Capture End of the Year Honors

KANSAS CITY, MO (Friday, October 22, 2004) - The Kansas City Wizards today announced their end of the year honors with forward Josh Wolff and defender Jimmy Conrad each earning two awards. Josh Wolff was named the Wizards Honda Most Valuable Player and also captured the Wizards Budweiser Scoring Title. Jimmy Conrad earned Wizards Defender of the year honors and was also named Humanitarian of the Year.

"Both Jimmy and Josh are worthy recipients of these honors, and there are a handful of other names that contributed immensely as well. The media, on one hand had a very difficult decision, but on the other hand they really couldn't go wrong. Kudos to both of these gentlemen."

Wolff, 27, enjoyed a career year with the Wizards setting career highs in scoring with 27 points, goals (10), starts (25) and minutes played (2,252). His 27 points (10g, 7a) led the Wizards in scoring and tied him for 5th in MLS in scoring. In just his second season in Kansas City, Wolff garnered team MVP honors after helping lead the team to its first Western Conference Regular Season Title since 2000, and a share of the best record in MLS. Of his 10 goals scored in 2004, three were game-winners. He also added five game-winning assists.

"Josh proved himself as a runner and a gunner and a high scoring forward. But he also showed a good sense of playmaking responsibilities that he added to get other people goals and create opportunities for the team. He took his game up another notch as well, not only on the club level but also with the National Team. He is a very well versed, all-around forward. He is a very threatening forward, not only by himself, but also by involving the rest of the team."

Conrad's Defender of the Year honor was well deserved as the 27-year-old anchored the best defensive unit in MLS. Conrad and the Wizards allowed just 30 goals in 2004, the lowest in MLS, while also posting a League-high 12 shutouts on the year. Conrad's leadership in the back helped solidify the Wizards defense despite a goalkeeper transition in mid-August after Tony Meola was forced out with an injury. His impressive contributions have also placed him as the frontrunner for the MLS Defender of the Year honor.

"Jimmy was his very solid self. He had a very good year last year when we were playing a little differently in the back and this year he stepped it up even more and was one of the more solid defenders in the League. He was never overmatched whether he was defending against power forwards, quick ones, fast ones or a combination of all of those. He has also added organizational duties to his workload and has pushed himself into being one of the elite defenders in this League."

Not only does Conrad play a pivotal role for the Wizards on the field, but he also plays a large role in the community as well, leading to his recognition as the Wizards Humanitarian of the Year. He regularly makes appearances at Children's Mercy Hospital and KU Medical Center visiting with patients, then always invites them to a Wizards game for VIP treatment once they are well. He also hosted a soccer camp for the National Sports Center for the Disabled in July, giving disabled children from all over the Kansas City area the chance to learn and take part in the game of soccer.
Click to expand...

Unorthodox Yank · Oct 22, 2004

I would have made the MVP a joint award between Josh and Davy. Other than that, I'm pretty cool with everything.

Congrats, guys.

Tyler66 · Oct 22, 2004

I think Jimmy Conrad had a far better season than Wolff, but in MLS they just always have to pick forwards over defensive players.

bigpimp22 · Oct 23, 2004

Davy deserves that award over both of those guys. He has been the Wizards most valuable player. Without him they don't score many goals.

BenC1357 · Oct 23, 2004

bigpimp22 said:

Davy deserves that award over both of those guys. He has been the Wizards most valuable player. Without him they don't score many goals.
Click to expand...

Kerry Zavagnin was our most valuable player.

Josh/Davy split the offensive award IMHO.

Jimmy deserves defender of the year, both team and MLS.

KCFutbol · Oct 23, 2004

The fact that there is no overwhelming choice for MVP tells me this is a team. A different player steps up every game.

Listen to Diego address the team huddle following the Open Cup game. A far cry from the behavior of the Galaxy players last night.

Wizardscharter · Oct 27, 2004

BenC1357 said:

Kerry Zavagnin was our most valuable player.
Click to expand...

Agreed.

Davy gets an argument, but still most of Davy's goals were set up by Wolff. Also, Davy didn't do much outside of a penalty draw down the stretch. MVP awards are not won by those that fade.