Claudio Lopez is a household name to fans who have followed the global game for the past decade, but to most Kansas Citians and casual soccer fans, the Kansas City Star’s Bob Luder says it may take a while for them to get to know the man known as “El Piojo” (the Louse) in his native Argentina — “a while” as in “some positive results.” Lopez may be a big name, but he’s still an expensive gamble — especially at 33 — which is why K.C. has signed him to a one-year deal with a second-year option. He becomes the Wizards’ first designated player and the league’s sixth under the 15-month old designated player rule. He’s also the Wizards’ second major international striker acquisition in two weeks, along with Colombian Ivan Trujillo.
“When you talk worldwide, it’s obvious Claudio is a bigger name than anyone in our league outside Beckham,” piped Wizards technical director Peter Vermes. Most important for Wizards coach Curt Onalfo, “He’s a great team player,” in addition to being a goal scorer. “He’s going to make it easy, or easier anyway, on the guy next to him … to get his chances to score.”
Lopez, meanwhile, says he’s exited about the opportunity to play in the U.S. “It’s a new experience, one I’ve been interested in living for a while,” the striker said through an interpreter. As for concerns about his fitness at 33, Lopez said, “I feel like I’m 22, like I still have another eight years left … I feel good. I want to help the team win and feel good and ready to play as well as I can this year.”