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Sandy • On Sept. 14, 2007, the then-Kansas City Wizards issued a press release announcing the acquisition of two MLS draft picks and the remnants of the what was called "the Freddy Adu replacement allocation" from Real Salt Lake.
In true vague MLS form, the portion of allocation money was to be used to re-sign players in the league or those entering. The Wiz, essentially, were just bolstering their spending cash. But in exchange for such, then-technical director Peter Vermes — who later became the club's head coach — issued an accompanying quote to the deal.
"Yura Movsisyan is a fantastic talent, and we wish him all the best," it read.
Turned out to be a steal of a deal for RSL.
Eight-and-a-half years since Kansas City dealt Movsisyan to RSL, the striker returns to the place where he started his professional career way back in 2006. Since his departure from Kansas City, Movsisyan helped RSL win an MLS Cup and moved on to play in Europe and Asia before returning to RSL this January on loan from Russian giant Spartak Moscow.
Movsisyan has visited the area of Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan., but has yet to play in what is considered one of the premier stadiums in MLS. During his days with the Wiz, Movsisyan took to the pitch at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
"It's been a long time," he said. "It's kind of exciting to go back to where I basically started my professional career."
With a sly smile, Movsisyan said he carries no extra motivation into Saturday's match against Sporting Kansas City.
"I think my motivation is just doing my best every game and that's enough motivation for me," he said. "It's going to be a tough for us. They're a very good team, a very good club."
Just minutes after scoring his first goal of the season in Portland on March 19, Movsisyan suffered an adductor strain which has lingered, but he vowed this week he feels good enough to go as injury-riddled RSL will need its imposing center forward to test a Sporting KC back line minus captain Matt Besler (concussion).
"He's been creating chances, he's been dangerous in every game and I think at the end of the day, he's really helping out everyone," RSL coach Jeff Cassar said. "He's attracting so much attention and really occupying the two center backs that it frees up other players to be successful."
Movsisyan hopes the goal in Portland is the makings of an eventual streak if he finds the back of the net Saturday night. His last goal came in November with Spartak Moscow, but he assisted in RSL's CONCACAF Champions League series against Tigres UANL and drew a penalty in Week 1 at Orlando City.
"It's always good to have the confidence to get the goal out of the way to add that taste of the goal and the success," he said. "It has been a while, but it's just a new life for me now. So I'm excited about that one."
Twitter: @chriskamrani —
About Yura Movsisyan
Position • Center forward
Age • 28
Hometown • Pasadena, Calif.
School • Pasadena City College, drafted fourth overall by Kansas City in 2007 MLS SuperDraft
Acquired from KC • On Sept. 14, 2007, in exchange for partial allocation money and two MLS draft picks
Re-acquired • RSL completed one-year loan for Movsisyan's return in January from Spartak Moscow
Professional track record • Kansas City Wizards (2006-2007), Real Salt Lake (2007-2009), Randers FC (2010-2011), FC Krasnodar (2011-2012), Spartak Moscow (2012-2016), Real Salt Lake (on loan in 2016)
Stats with the old Wiz • Had five goals in 28 appearances with the Wizards prior to trade to RSL —
Real Salt Lake at Sporting KC
P Saturday, 6:30 p.m.
TV • KMYU