Things have been very active in Kansas City this winter. If you are a real fan and haven’t discovered the Down The Bylines blog, I highly recommend it. M (as he lists himself in his profile) is a prolific and qualified soccer commentator. He’s even participating in a MLS SuperDraft watch party today.

You can follow the action live at 1:00 pm on ESPN2

There are a number of subplots but Ives Galcarep, who recently went solo, summarizes it effectively

When the first pick in the entire draft is traded straight up for a solid, but unspectacular veteran defender, it doesn’t say a lot about the talent available to MLS teams this year. San Jose coach Frank Yallop took a look at the draft’s selections and decided that he would rather acquire rugged central defender Nick Garcia than keep the pick and take the best player in the draft.

Nick Garcia. Didn’t he play center back for the KC Wizards? Yep, and thus our local boys are going first today. Plenty of speculation but the answers will be known very soon. Here are the overall rankings that Pro Player Pipeline has assembled.

After the draft, activity will only increase. Here is the Kansas City Wizards Preseason Itinerary
Jan. 24 2008 MLS Supplemental Draft
Jan. 26 Players report to Kansas City for preseason training
Feb. 1-16 Preseason training in Bradenton, FL
Feb. 27 – March 14 Preseason training in Argentina
Mar. 29 Wizards Open Versus D.C. United at CommunityAmerica Ballpark

Deposits for 2008 season tickets are now being accepted. Call the Wizards at (913) 387-3400 or (877) 828-7222 to reserve your seats today.