Let the sideshow begin.
NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco begins his tryout with Sporting Kansas City Wednesday morning (11 a.m.), when he'll try to impress coach Peter Vermes and secure a contract with Major League Soccer.
Sporting Kansas City is streaming the tryout live on its Web site, although it is closed to the public in Kansas City.
On Tuesday, Ives spoke with Vermes for his latest column on Fox, and the coach said that he believed Ochocinco was serious about the trial but that it was a long shot that he'd make the team.
Give the rest of the interview with Vermes a read and let us know what you think about this unique trial.
Do you hope Ochocinco makes it? Think this is a waste of time? Wish it was't happening? Like the publicity for MLS? What position do you see Ochocinco playing?
Share your thoughts below.
I guess 3,000 is the same thing as 20,000… By no means do they sell out (24,000) but they are well above the league average
this trial is worth it if for no other reason than to shut up the yahoos that hyperventilate over how good Michael Vick or Michael Jordan or whomever would be if he played soccer. You know the type, there’s tons on this thread, the “if only ____ played soccer” douchenuckles.
C’mon Bro: Let’s take it easy with the stereotypes.
No need to slander the Bluegrass state, Bro. It’s a really nice place witha lot of wonderful people.
While we are standing up and speaking up we don’t want to turn around and do the same thing.
Stand Up Speak Out Love Kentucky (just as long as it isn’t Kentucky or Louisville Mens’Basketball programs–coz I freaking “hate” those two teams’ coaches).
Let’s make that the new slogan.
lol.
Doesn’t anyone else remember how popularity surged for the NFL after the MLS’s own Tony Meola tried out for the New York Jets.
There’s a lot of hate on here but I believe he looks better than most of us thought he would. Is it a publicity stunt? Yes. Does it bring attention to MLS? Yes. There’s about 3000 people watching a practice for a sub-par MLS squad and i bet more than half of them aren’t even soccer fans. 3000 people is more than RBNY can get in their arena for a match. So, I’m all for it.
More than that, it’s an interesting demonstration of the differences between american football athletes and their soccer counterparts.
Even his primary strength, his athleticism, isn’t tuned for soccer. Everything is very start-stop. Do a rep, then grab some water. No fluidity to him.
He could obviously never play at a professional or even semi-pro level. There’s just too much subtlety and nuance to the game. Still love that he gave it a go though.
Great comment. (Although, I would call Barton a thug.)
I know one area where he would dominate in the MLS if he were to ever score a goal. His goal celebration I can guarantee would be tops in the league.
Uh, I think you meant to say ‘I love MLS’, rather than “I love the sport”. As has been pointed out, there are more than enough egocentric gangstas in other leagues around the world.
TBH, there are a few large egos in MLS already, but there just isn’t enough interest/coverage for those egos to make big news stories. And as the league gets bigger, and it’s stars get more attention and ego stroking, more large egos will grow. I can’t wait.
IVES…!! ANYONE. I’ve been reading these 85’s trying out articles for a couple of a week now. (SA, IVES and others). I knew before this “trial” that 85 was a big soccer fan. Knew that.
Unless i’ve missed it, has anyone done any minimal checking into 85’s youth soccer career? Anyone journalist call an old coach?..any ex-team mates pop up. Can’t be that hard.
Please, someone fill me in on 85’s youth soccer hi-lights.
And, I just saw this AP story on the New York Times website:
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — NFL star Chad Ochocinco has started his tryout with Kansas City’s MSL soccer team.
Ochocinco began his four-day trial on Wednesday with Sporting Kansas City, moving fluidly on the field on a cold, blustery day. More than 40 media members were on hand to watch the locked-out NFL player, who spent much of the morning getting individual instruction from assistant coach Zoran Savic.
Ochocinco, a wide receiver with the Cincinnati Bengals, is a six-time Pro Bowler. He started playing soccer when he was 4 but quit in high school to focus on football.
With the NFL in a lockout and a court fight looming, Ochocinco has said now is a good time to check into another sport.
*********
If there are 40 mainstream journalists following Chad’s little adventure, then that’s good.
“Does he realize that this sport actually requires constant movement?”
Maybe we can tell Altidore that too…..
A bit of harmless fun. It helps to raise the awareness of soccer among NFL and NFL fans. Where’s the harm?
The thing is the Master P is actually a very good basketball player just not good to make a NBA team. I’m sure if he needed the money he could have had a decent career in the D-League.
yeah, he is straight awful. annnnd back to work.
water breaks every 5 minutes…man up 85. you’re clearly not in soccer shape
And surprisingly better than Robbie Findley at the World Cup
I mean those guys played baseball, which I’m sure is just as hard to pick back up again after a long layover. Also, he said he warms up with a ball and messes around in the offseason. Making the team is still a long shot in my opinion, but it isn’t completely ridiculous. The odds are stacked against him though.
Hmm…..Stand Up Speak Out!! all I have to say. Kick racism out of football m8. Kentucky is calling you home.
Hahaha… wow. I was so wrong. He looks awful.
thats exactly what is looks like while watching him do these drills. he might be fit, but not in soccer endurance shape. He cant even stand up correctly over the ball to pass or trap, he is leaning back and his touch is terrible
2500 viewers and climbing…
Its better than $0/year with an NFL lockout isn’t it?
Even IF he does well in the trial, will he take a 40K/year salary?
The stream is better now, but unfortunately Chad’s 1st touch isn’t. Simple passing drills look taxing
Just looking at this. They should of put this on ESPN or spike as a reality TV show, probably would get better ratings then the games.
Is this the superbowl? Do they really need commentators and a bazillion camara views. Maybe a couple for us with 3-D tvs.
Given Chad’s penchant for self promotion (he friggin legally changed his name to just so that he could have a nickname on his jersey) this whole thing sounds like a publicity stunt. However, I do remember seeing him play with soccer balls before Bengal games and knows that he truly loves soccer. I just hope the MLS front office doesn’t bombard us with stories about how ‘world class’ he is. He may be a gifted natural athlete but so is Eddie GAM Johnson.
Gotta say better than I thought.
IF you can’t coach him to play, you can’t coach.
That being said, where is he at….I will start for KC in a year or two, or can I start Saturday ?
+1000.
Strong.
Very diplomatic and the way you explained it might help some folks better understand that particular term gets tossed around a lot of times based on perception, rather than behavior.
Golazo!
I just watched five seconds of that before the shame kicked in, and now feel like a whorish crackhead idiot. The joke is on US. Supposedly they are streaming some Jim Jones kool-aid for everyone to drink too…
How much is expecting to be payed if he makes the team?
What’s the difference between David Beckham and Chad 85? Not much. Both have tats and are selfish.
Most people who have a problem with the NBA are white people who are scared of black people and black culture. They are usually racist whether it’s overt or subconscious.
I can understand watching MLS because its players are more humble and paid less than NBA/NFL players. Using the word ganstas says a lot about what’s going on in your head though.
My only question is if Chad know what the MLS pays . . .
I would argue that the ‘look at me culture’ is far more prevalent in soccer then in American sports. Most goal celebrations are more about the player than the team. Not that there is anything wrong with that.
I think the bigger issue in the quickness for people to label black people (who may not even have a criminal history) as gangstas and thugs. I’m pretty sure that when people think of Joey Barton, gangsta doesn’t come to mind. I not accusing William of being racist but as a black man I’ve noticed that there is a tendency for people use the negative labels such a these towards black men in fleeting comments.
Just watch him doing basic drills…. no chance, he has no 1st touch. Not that it’s a surprise, but wanted to let you guys know that can’t watch the stream.
First touch looks ok…for a guy who hasn’t played in 15 years
No sound. One angle. Kansas City. This is too painful.
A couple questions for ya, Bro:
So, can we take it that you aren’t a big fan of Sporting’s move, huh?
What’s with the “gay” thing?
When was 8 5 ever linked to steroids?
Do you really want to f**k (to borrow your word) with Karma by wishing an injury on someone?
Satement:
Thanks for letting Josh Wolff go. That guys off to a very nice start around here. It might not last but DCU fans are loving Dude right about now.
Yeah Todd, Babieca is totally right. I can’t believe you’d seriously say something like that. Those guys didn’t play soccer, don’t you pay attention to facts? What were you thinking?
His agent says his plan is to do well at SKC this spring, get a call up for the Gold Cup and score a few there and then sign with Tottenham next fall. At White Heart Lane he’ll pair with Bale to make the fastest midfield in European soccer and win Champions League in 2012.
Nevermind, got it, sheesh. 01/01/1965
I forgot about Master P in the NBA! Make ’em say uhhhh.
Anybody know how they want you to enter the birthdate info on their site? I have entered many versions of the date and they say “Enter Valid Birthdate”
this will be fun to watch!
whoever it is, i do think MLS needs a “Joe Namath” type of individual.
Good point.
Word.
I’m not a sociologist but I think that most people in the USA probably never gradute from college.
You could have written just about everything in the last paragraph about most of the soccer leagues in the world.
People looking for the camera or adoration after scoring a goal happens in almost soccer match that I watch.
Dream Team drama wasn’t much different than the Playmakers drama.
Lawrence Taylor+Fracnk Ribery (allegedly)? What do they have in common? Uhm, underage protitutes, possibly?
But of course, that stuff only happens in real life in US basketball and American football.
Not trying to grill you–I got nothing but love for ya, Bro.
I just find the argument amusing.
Soccer guys are always angels and excellent role models.
How are you going to punch someone over a Phil Collins song (I know–he wasn’t convicted-lol)???
In highschool we had a dude who played his senior year that had never played soccer before. He was the star basketball player and track runner at our school and we talked him into coming out for soccer. He made the varsity team and started on the wing. He had a terrible first touch and didn’t know what he was doing on the field but his athleticism made up for all of that. He still put up a few goals (all headers) and caused some major havoc on defenses because of his speed and he was aggressive by nature.
Anyway, I don’t think it is a bad move by any means. If the dude sucks he won’t make the team end of story.
I said he hasn’t touched a soccer ball “seriously,” i.e., in competition. I did have my facts straight.