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Cincinnati Bengals Receiver to Try Out for Major League Soccer Team

Ochocinco and Beckham
Ochocinco and Beckham

I'm going to give you one guess on who I'm talking about. Yep, you got it: Chad Ochocinco has been granted a four-day try out, starting next Tuesday, with Kansas City's professional soccer team, Sporting Kansas City.

Once the trial period is over, the club will decide whether or not to allow Ochocinco to extend his stay.

Sporting Kansas City manager Peter Vermes says "we're excited to see how his skills will translate."

According to the team website, the team is always looking to make their team better by bringing in new talent.

"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."

Chad is also excited about his opportunity to transfer his talents from the football field to the soccer field.

"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. "Thanks to Sporting Kansas City for giving me this opportunity."

It is currently unclear as to whether or not Ochocinco will be on the Bengals roster in 2011 or not. If the Bengals keep him, they would owe him $6 million and if they let him leave they would owe them roughly half of that. His productivity has steadily declined since his best year in 2007 and many place much of the blame on him for Carson Palmer's struggles over the last couple years and possibly even for Palmer's recent trade demands.

At least Ochocinco has a decent chance to re-invent himself again as a soccer player if the Bengals decide to let him leave.