Ochocinco to try out for MLS team

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FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2010 file photo, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco (85) looks on before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Indianapolis. Never short on publicity-grabbing ideas, Ochocinco is set for a four-day tryout with Sporting Kansas City of Major League Soccer starting Tuesday, March 21, 2011. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — 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.

Ochocinco was also in the news for a very different reason Wednesday.

Hamilton County Municipal Judge Bernie Bouchard ordered him to pay Exclusive Wear $11,717 for clothing the Cincinnati store said the player never paid for.