* Just got the heads up - the Wizards are close to completing a deal with Argentine striker Claudio Lopez. Lopez still needs to pass a physical and sign a contract. Lopez will fall under the league’s designated player qualification which means only the first $400,000 of his salary will count against Kansas City’s team salary cap....which means Lopez will be getting paid waaaaay more than $400,000.

* The Wizards are counting on Lopez, now 33 years old, to compete for the "supporting" striker position. KC plans on putting their top striker alone, up front (perhaps Trujillo), playing in a box, while allowing their "support" striker (maybe Lopez) to roam side-to-side, and backpedal into the midfield.

* As stated in the last blog, Lopez has the futbol cred: he’s played in two World Cups for Argentina as well as logging league time in Italy’s Serie A and Spain’s La Liga.

* The Wizards feel, that even at 33 years old, Lopez still has the physical skills and tools to compete at the highest level. Lopez will also be counted on to be a leader in the locker room. He’s a “been there - done that” guy who has played at the highest level against the world’s top players.

* In the event the Lopez deal fell through, the Wizards were looking at one other player from South America and one from Africa. Those pursuits may be over. But, the Wizards have said they will not hesitate to keep bringing in talent to push their top guys - all season.

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