Predrag “Preki” Radosavljević is as legendary as it gets in the annals of Kansas City Wizards/Sporting Kansas City history.
The Yugoslavian born midfielder won two MLS MVP awards (1997 & 2003) and two MLS Golden Boot awards (1997 & 2003) given to the league’s top scorer. He helped lead the Wiz to an MLS Cup and Supporter’s Shield in 2000, as well as a US Open Cup in 2004.
In short, he was an MLS original who remains the only player to win league MVP twice.
Preki followed up his 1997 MVP campaign with another solid outing in 1998.
The 1998 Kansas City Wizards team photo, with Preki shown front center wearing this jersey or another one like it.
He made 25 appearances and scored 10 goals and chipped in 13 assists, but the team struggled to it’s first losing record. The Wizards finished the season with just 12 wins in 32 games, missing the playoffs for the first time.
Preki’s secondary match worn shirt shows a few signs of wear and a bit of age. It has the felt numbers used at that time, and was acquired from Soccer Collectables who got it directly from Preki or the Wiz.
Preki’s early dominance in MLS — and subsequent rejuvenation to win his second MVP at age 40 are some of the more cherished parts of the Wizards history prior to the Sporting Kansas City rebrand.
How many players get to retire by scoring a goal in the final minute of their final game?
That’s Preki.