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December 14, 2007
FIFA dubs Hernandez a "star man," KC stadium project close to fruition
When we first heard that the Quakes were picking up Jason Hernandez from Chivas USA in the expansion draft, we knew the Quakes were getting a solid defender. What we didn't know is that San Jose had just acquired the "star man" of Puerto Rico's national team, as FIFA dubs him here. Excellent!
We also wanted to pass along our congratulations to fans of the Kansas City Wizards, who are sure to be celebrating as the $1 billion redevelopment project that includes their proposed stadium was unanimously approved by the Kansas City City Council. The Wizards' media relations staff notes that the final OK by the State of Missouri should come by the end of February.
If the project is approved, the Kansas City Wizards will play in a state-of-the-art, 18,500-seat stadium that will anchor the ($949 million) development. The soccer complex, which consists of the Wizards stadium, 12 tournament-style soccer fields and a 250-room hotel, will cost $140 million and is slated to open in spring 2010 as part of Phase 1 of the three-phase project. Lane4 Property Group will lead the monumental redevelopment that has won considerable support from residents in the Bannister Mall area.
Our congratulations to the 'Zards and to longtime friend of SSV David Ficklin, a one-time member of the Clash front office who is now Kansas City's VP of development.
Finally, it looks like the newest DP to arrive in MLS will be Argentina's Juan Sebastian Verón, according to Sports Illustrated. (The Washington Post's Steven Goff says "nothing is certain yet," though.) Extra: Looks like Goff is right — Verón is staying in Argentina.
Posted by Jay at December 14, 2007 05:51 AM