Quote:
Wizards: Lopez will not be back
The Kansas City Wizards will not be renewing the contract of Argentine midfielder Claudio Lopez, the Major League Soccer club announced on Tuesday.
"We would have liked to have Claudio back in 2010, but unfortunately it became clear early in the contract negotiations that we could not give him what he desired," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.
The team had been in negotiations with the 35-year-old Lopez throughout the preseason.
"We thank Claudio for his two years of service here in Kansas City," Vermes said. "He was a consummate professional and set a good example for the young players on our team both on and off the field. Looking forward to 2010, we are confident in the players we have in camp and there will be great competition for starting spots before our home opener on March 27."
Lopez is the second veteran that the Wizards were unable to reach terms with, with goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the team also at an impasse.
Kansas City has since moved on from Hartman, signing Danish goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen to take his spot.
Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2010/02/23/2079646/wizards-lopez-will-not-be-back.html#ixzz0ilkj9JjY
The Kansas City Wizards will not be renewing the contract of Argentine midfielder Claudio Lopez, the Major League Soccer club announced on Tuesday.
"We would have liked to have Claudio back in 2010, but unfortunately it became clear early in the contract negotiations that we could not give him what he desired," Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said.
The team had been in negotiations with the 35-year-old Lopez throughout the preseason.
"We thank Claudio for his two years of service here in Kansas City," Vermes said. "He was a consummate professional and set a good example for the young players on our team both on and off the field. Looking forward to 2010, we are confident in the players we have in camp and there will be great competition for starting spots before our home opener on March 27."
Lopez is the second veteran that the Wizards were unable to reach terms with, with goalkeeper Kevin Hartman and the team also at an impasse.
Kansas City has since moved on from Hartman, signing Danish goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen to take his spot.
Read more: http://www.bradenton.com/2010/02/23/2079646/wizards-lopez-will-not-be-back.html#ixzz0ilkj9JjY
