Sporting Kansas City announced on Tuesday that NFL wide receiver Chad Ochocinco has been named an honorary member of the Major League Soccer Club following his six-day tryout that began last Wednesday. Ochocinco will depart Kansas City tomorrow, but will have the opportunity to re-join the team for reserve training and fitness/conditioning workouts throughout the Major League Soccer season.
“This is a positive outcome for everyone involved,” Sporting Kansas City Manager Peter Vermes said. “It’s been great to have Chad here and we’ll welcome him back when he’s ready to return. He’s been a true professional throughout his tryout, he has fit right in with the other players and he has been a great presence in the locker room. He has definitely earned the right to be an honorary member of the squad.”
“I had a great six days here...just to be able to grace the pitch with these guys was awesome,” Ochocinco said. “It’s always been a dream of mine to play the game of soccer. Manager Vermes was kind enough to allow me to stay here at will to train with the reserves and continue to get myself in shape.”
Listen below for raw audio from Ochocinco speaking to SportingKC.com's Dave Borchardt after a light regeneration training on Tuesday.
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Ochocinco, a six-time NFL Pro Bowl selection, participated in a Sporting Kansas City reserve game on Monday against the KC Brass at the team’s Sporting Club Training Center in Swope Park. He played the final 40 minutes and said afterward that it was a dream come true to be given the opportunity to play professional soccer in a competitive setting.
For more on Ochocinco's stay in Kansas City, visit the links below:
- KC Appearance a Dream Answered
- VIDEO: Ochocinco plays in reserve game
- Ochocinco to see field with KC reserves
- VIDEO: Vermes on extending Ochocinco tryout
- Ochocinco has better day two
- VIDEO: Ochocinco day two recap
- Humility, not hubris, for No. 85 on Day 1
- VIDEO: Chad Ochocinco on trial with Sporting KC
- QUOTES: Ochocinco's firday day with KC
- Ochocinco not taking MLS tryout lightly
- Ochocinco to tryout at forward for KC
- Vermes: Ochocinco is long shot to make it
- 3 for Thursday: Why Ochocinco can succeed
- Tweets land Ochocinco tryout @SportingKC
- Chad Ochocinco's comments on soccer
- Chad Ochocinco to tryout with Sporting KC
