A Different Kind Of Football

A new career? Chad Ochocinco might be pondering suiting 

up for Sporting Kansas City this fall instead of the Bengals.

With the impending NFL lockout, Cincinnati Bengals' wide receiver Chad Ochocinco hopes to trade in his shoulder pads for shin guards.

Ochocinco – who has grabbed publicity with sombreros, putting footballs and even a name change – is currently in the midst of a four-day tryout with the MLS team Sporting Kansas City, formerly the Kansas City Wizards.

Could this be the turing of the tide in sports in America?

It may be the world's most popular sport, but soccer has generally taken a backseat to America's love of the big three – football, basketball and baseball. If an NFL lockout ensues, the league that may benefit the most could be the MLS.

During the World Cup last year, commentators on TV often talked about how America would be a much better soccer team if other sports didn't interfere. And they're absolutely right.

Imagine LeBron James or Kobe Bryant attacking on the wing. Or Troy Polamalu taking down strikers similarly to the way he takes out an unsuspecting wide receiver. It's often been said that America has the best athletes. We pay them ridiculous salaries and idolize them like gods.

But now the time has come for soccer to step into the limelight. The NFL is quickly becoming a non-factor with each passing day that the owners and players can't agree on a collective bargaining deal.

So to the owners of the various MLS teams, take a cue from Sporting Kansas City. Several athletes grew up playing soccer during their childhood. Being professional athletes, they're in tremendous shape and a few hundred may be out of a job come September. Why not give them a chance and maybe draw a little more attention to yourselves and your sport? Who knows, you might even change the face of sports in America?