Welcome to Kansas.
Sunil Chhetri is apparently the best footballer in India. The 25-year-old striker is set to sign with the Kansas City Wizards after a trial with the club (you may have seen another link on Wednesday night). In fact, Chhetri is signing with K.C. because he doesn’t want to go to Queens Park Rangers in England.
No, not really. Are you nuts?
Chhetri was set to sign for QPR last year but was denied a work permit. So he went on trial with the Wizards and says he likes the club and the facilities the clu… wait, what?!
“The facilities here are excellent and I am not used to get such facilities every day back home. I will listen to my coach, coaching staff, team-mates and others and try to understand them. I am going to come to training and give my best every day.”
That’s what Chhetri told the Times of India. If he likes the Wizards’ facilities, I can only imagine what he played in back home.
In case you haven’t been there, the Wizards play at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Wyandotte County, Kansas (known as “The Dot”). It’s a baseball stadium for a semi-pro team. I’ve been there. The only good thing about this place for soccer is the parking is free and the hot dogs are cheap.
Sure, the Wiz will have a new soccer-only stadium in a couple years right behind the Nebraska Furniture Mart down the road. And he has a Hooters, Dave & Busters and Kansas Speedway all right there. But really, dude?
And finally, QPR couldn’t get this guy a permit? Every mention of him shows that he is, in fact, the best known, top-skilled player in India. If Tim Howard was able to get a permit when he came to Manchester United, this guy should be able to get a permit. Did the rich owners at QPR not spread enough “generosity” around?
Either way, welcome to the United States, Sunil. Get ready for the cicadas in the summer. And make sure to get to Lawrence to have a beer at the Free State Brewery.
Funny that he wouldn’t try to sign in a city that has a large Indian American population like New York or Chicago. But hey, another sign that MLS has turned the corner!
To get a permit, you have to have played 80% of your countries internationals for a certain period.
75% of national team matches over the previous two years
For a highly-ranked enough country. I think the home office’s cutoff is 75 in the FIFA rankings.
yeah, TSE, Guzan had to wait six months to get a permit to sign for Villa, and it was well known that he was Oo-sah’s Number 12 (In fact, I think the Gold Cup was what put him over the top)
I always thought it was classy that Bradley gave Guzan a bunch of starts in 2007-2008 to help him get his work permit.
Spec: I think TIMMAY had a knee injury anyway that spring.
The facilities go WAY beyond CAB. The ballpark sucks, but their training facilities across town are world class and often touted as the best in the league
@Anon: I’d be interested in seeing them. And if so, kudos to them.
oh yes community america ballpark how nice home of the kansas city wizards…..and the kansas city T-bones…not kidding
He looks more like he’s from Thailand or Singapore than India.
He was talking about the training fields and buildings, which KC has some of the best in the states.
Sunil Chetrri is a very crafty player , hope he gives Kansas City a lot of memorable matches and goals! We here would also follow the games :) So KC Wizards will have some Indian fans now :)
Cheers from India !