- 1996
- 1996
- 1996
- 1996
- 1996
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Kansas City Wiz Charter MLS Member
Kansas City was introduced as one of the 10 charter members of MLS on June 6, 1995. Four months later, the league unveiled the nicknames, logos, and uniform designs for the franchises, including the Kansas City Wiz. -
Ron Newman, first coach of Kansas City Wiz
In 1996: The Kansas City Wiz club’s players included Preki, Mo Johnston and Digital Takawira, and were coached by Ron Newman. -
KC Wiz club’s highest scoring game
The club’s highest-scoring game, a 6–4 win over Columbus Crew at Arrowhead Stadium on May 2, 1996, with goals from Mark Chung, Mo Johnston (2), Preki (2) and Mike Sorber -
KC Wiz’s first ever game and win
The club’s first ever game and win, a 3–0 victory over Colorado Rapids at Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, 1996, with goals from Digital Takawira (2) and Frank Klopas. -
KC Wiz club’s first league MVP award – won by Preki
The club’s first league MVP award, won by Preki, who led the league in scoring with 18 goals and 13 assists2. Preki also scored the club’s first ever hat-trick in a 4–1 win over San Jose Clash on August 15, 1996.
History of the Wiz
The Kansas City Wiz, now known as the Sporting Kansas City, is a Major League Soccer (MLS) team founded in 1995. The club has had an illustrious history since its inception and has become one of the most successful teams in MLS.
In their first season, the Wiz finished with a 10-14 and made it to playoffs for the first time. They continued to have success throughout their early years; they won three US Open Cups between 1997 and 2004 while also making it to four MLS Cup finals within that same period but unfortunately failed each time. Despite not winning any championships during this era, they were still able to make lasting memories, such as when Preki scored his famous bicycle kick goal against Tampa Bay Mutiny at Arrowhead Stadium in 2001 or when Eddie Johnson became the only player ever to score 4 goals in a single game against Dallas Burn 2003 which remains an all-time league record today!
The team changed its name from “Wiz” to “Sporting KC” ahead of the 2011 season under a new ownership group led by Rob Heineman, who helped turn around fortunes on the field, too: In 2013, Sporting KC won both US Open Cup & MLS cup titles becoming just 2nd franchise after LA Galaxy do so feat! Since then, SKC has been a perennial playoff contender every year, with 5 more conference final appearances added to the up trophy cabinet, including another US Open title in 2017. This remarkable run cemented them as one of the best franchises in modern-day soccer United States. With a bright future ahead looks like there is no stopping SKC anytime soon. Fans can expect plenty more exciting moments to come away over the next few years!
Wizards Products
Established
1995
City
Kansas City
League History
1996 – Present / Major League Soccer
Team History
2010 – Present / Sporting Kansas City
1997 - 2009 / Kansas City Wizards
1996 / Kansas City Wiz
Nickname
Wiz - Kansas City is home to one of the country's most beloved Major League Soccer (MLS) teams – The Kansas City Wiz. But where did this unique nickname come from? Let’s take a look at its origins and find out!
The team was founded in 1996 when MLS first began operations. At that time, they were known as “The Wiz” as an homage to their local sponsor, The Wizard Superstore chain of electronics stores. As part of the deal with Wizard Superstores, any player who scored a goal during a game would be awarded free electronic equipment from them!
In 1997 however, Wizards owner Lamar Hunt wanted something more original for his team name than just “Wiz,” so he held an online poll asking fans what they thought should be changed. After thousands voted on various terms including "Heat," "Revolution," and even "Scorpions," ultimately, it was decided that “Wizards” would become their official moniker instead - thus making Kansas City's soccer team officially known as The Kansas City Wizards!
While some may not have been thrilled about having such an unoriginal name for their beloved squad back then (mainly since other cities had already used similar ones like D.C United), today, many sports fans associate this unique nickname solely with KC's very own MLS club which makes it all worthwhile in retrospect. Nowadays, no matter how far away you are or how long it's been since your last visit – if someone mentions 'the wizards, ' you automatically know they're talking about our hometown heroes here in KC!
Championship
MLS Cups 1
2013, 2000
Stadium
2011 – Present / Children's Mercy Park
2008 - 2010 / Community American Ballpark
1996 - 2007 / Arrowhead Stadium
Owner
2006 - Present / Sporting Club
1995 – 2006 / Lamar Hunt
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Retired Number
*Blue is this team’s history
