The Kansas City Wizards announced Friday that attacker Sunil Chhetri has been permitted to join the Indian National Team through the 2011 Asian Cup, in cooperation with the All India Football Federation."I'm excited to be joining the National Team," Chhetri said, "but I'll miss Kansas City. Everything was falling into place here, including the big win we just had against Manchester United."
Kansas City signed Chhetri from Dempo SC in March, making him the first Indian to join an MLS team and creating considerable media attention around his move abroad. His most recent appearance for the Wizards came in Sunday's 2-1 upset of Manchester United, coming on in the 69th minute and recording two shots on goal in his 21 minutes of action.
Chhetri scored in his debut as a substitute in an exhibition against the University of Tulsa and followed that performance with a hat trick in his next outing against the University of Evansville. He made his first team debut in a Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play-in match on April 13th when he was named to the starting lineup in a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids.
"This will allow Sunil to play full-time on a regular basis. This will be not only good for him, but good for us in the future, and we always want to help our players develop as much as we possibly can. We look forward to Sunil coming back to Kansas City."
The 25-year-old was one of 30 players recently selected by India head coach Bob Houghton for the team's ongoing preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup next January. Chhetri was a pivotal player in the country's qualification process, scoring a hat trick in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final to secure India's spot in the Asian Cup for the first time in 24 years.
Chhetri has appeared 35 times for India, scoring 16 goals in his international career.
MIDFIELDER SANTIAGO HIRSIG AND WIZARDS MUTUALLY AGREE TO PART WAYS: The Kansas City Wizards and midfielder Santiago Hirsig have reached a mutual agreement to part ways. The Argentine was signed by Kansas City prior to the 2009 season and appeared in 26 games for the Wizards last year, but had appeared just once in MLS play this season, in a 2-1 road loss at D.C. United on May 5. Hirsig scored the lone league goal of his Kansas City stay on September 19, 2009 in a 3-2 victory over FC Dallas. He also added one assist.
KOUNENAKIS RECEIVES ITC, P-1 VISA: Greek defender Nick Kounenakis (koo-neh-NAH-kis) has received his International Transfer Certificate and P-1 Visa and will be added to the Wizards roster immediately. Kounenakis is available for selection for Saturday's match versus Toronto FC.
The Kansas City Wizards face Toronto FC this Saturday, July 31 at 7:30 p.m. CT at CommunityAmerica Ballpark. Tickets can be purchased by visiting KCWizards.com or by calling 888-4KC-Goal. The Wizards are also now accepting initial payments for season tickets for the 2011 season, highlighted by the opening of their state-of-the-art stadium next summer.
• Discuss this story on the Major League Soccer message board...
• Digg this story
• Add to Del.icio.us
Tweet
Major League Soccer Stories from July 30, 2010
• Kansas City Wizards Host Toronto FC Saturday at CommunityAmerica Ballpark - Kansas City Wizards• Chicago Fire Acquire Freddie Ljungberg from Seattle Sounders FC - Chicago Fire
• Freddie Ljungberg Traded to Chicago Fire - Seattle Sounders FC
• Seahawks and Sounders FC Team up for Free Family Health Fair - Seattle Sounders FC
• Red Bulls Waive Forward John Wolyniec - New York Red Bulls
• Game Notes - Sounders FC at San Jose Earthquakes - Seattle Sounders FC
• Earthquakes Host Western Conference Rival Seattle Sounders FC Saturday - San Jose Earthquakes
• Real Salt Lake Match Preview & Game Notes - Real Salt Lake
• Philadelphia Union Sign Midfielder J.T. Noone - Philadelphia Union
• Philadelphia Union Waive Goalkeeper Brian Perk - Philadelphia Union
• Rapids Acquire Anthony Wallace in Trade with FC Dallas - Colorado Rapids
• Kansas City Wizards Allow Sunil Chhetri to Join India National Team - Kansas City Wizards
• FC Dallas Deals Defender Anthony Wallace to Colorado - FC Dallas
• FC Dallas Signs Three Development Academy Players to MLS Contracts - FC Dallas
• Red Bulls To Host Second Mayor's Cup August 28 - New York Red Bulls
• This Week in MLS - MLS
• Whitecaps Advance To United Soccer Leagues Final - Vancouver Whitecaps FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
