Ochocinco going for futbol, since lockout has put football on hiatus

Chad Ochocinco swapping football for futbol ... for now. And gets clothes-lined by a judge.

View full sizeAP FileThank heavens the NFL lockout came along. It's provided the perfect opportunity for Bengals wideout Chad Ochocinco to pursue a lifelong dream: playing professional soccer.

Kansas City, Mo. -- Chad Ochocinco will try to play a different kind of football during the NFL lockout.

Never short on publicity-grabbing ideas, the Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver is set for a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer starting Tuesday.

The club said Wednesday that after the tryout, it would determine whether to extend the trial period.

"We're always searching for players who can help our team and bringing in new talent," Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes said. "We know that Chad is an exceptional athlete and that he loves the sport of soccer, and he did play a lot when he was younger. We're excited to see how his skills will translate once he arrives next week and begins training with our team."

Ochocinco started playing soccer at age 4 but chose to focus on football in high school.

"Due to the NFL lockout, I'm excited to be able to follow my childhood dream of playing for a Major League Soccer team," Ochocinco said.

The reality TV star is friends with such big names in soccer as Thierry Henry, Cristiano Ronaldo and Ronaldinho. In January, Ochocinco visited Ronaldo, Kaka and the rest of Real Madrid's squad and was introduced to manager Jose Mourinho.

He has said he uses a soccer ball to warm up for NFL practices and games.

Sporting Kansas City, which changed its name from the Wizards in conjunction with moving into a new stadium, opens its MLS season Saturday. It narrowly missed the playoffs last year.

Of course, the lockout may really be behind the move. After all, with no money coming in, Ochocinco might need a little scratch to pay a Cincinnati clothing store the $12,000 he owes it. Here's a snippet from the USA Today piece:

A judge in Ohio has ordered Cincinnati Bengals WR Chad Ochocinco to pay almost $12,000 to a clothing store for unpaid merchandise.

Judge Bernie Bouchard ruled in favor of Amm One/Exclusive Wear after Ochocinco failed to appear in court to answer a charge.

Ochocinco must pay the clothier $11,717.39 for clothes the company said was bought between 2008-2009.

Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/03/ochocinco_going_for_futbol_sin.html

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