Zavagnin Named Wizards Assistant

The Kansas City Wizards have announced that retired midfielder Kerry Zavagnin will be joining the team’s coaching staff for the 2009 season as an assistant. His primary duties will include scouting, developing the Wizards’ younger players, breaking down film and assisting with training sessions, among others.

“We are proud to welcome Kerry Zavagnin to the technical staff as an assistant coach after his successful playing career in Kansas City,” said Wizards technical director Peter Vermes. “One of our core philosophies is incorporating former Wizards players into the organization after their playing careers are over. Kerry was a great ambassador of the Wizards as a player, and he will continue that legacy as a member of the technical staff.”

Zavagnin, 34, had a distinguished MLS career, appearing in 276 games after being drafted as the 21st overall pick in the 1997 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Colorado Rapids. He would not play a single game for Colorado, however, as he was ironically traded to the New York/New Jersey MetroStars in exchange for the Wizards’ current technical director, Peter Vermes. The two would later become teammates with the Wizards in 2000. Zavagnin helped Kansas City make the postseason in seven of his nine seasons there, including the club’s championship run in 2000 and US Open Cup title in 2004.

“I am excited to begin my coaching career with the Kansas City Wizards, an organization that has meant a great deal to me over the past nine years,” said Zavagnin. “I will continue to serve this organization with the same passion, drive and commitment that I had during my time as a player.”

* photo courtesy ISI Photos