MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
NEW DELHI, APRIL 4
Indian forward Sunil Chhetri continued his fine form at the MLS, netting a hat-trick in Kansas City Wizards’ reserves 5-0 victory over Evansville in St Louis.
According to information reaching here, the former Dempo striker scored all his goals in the second half, the first of which came with a diving flick-on header off a pass from Graham Zusi.
Chhetri then scored his second and the Wizards’ third with a deft finish after receiving a pass from Kyle Brown inside the rival penalty box. He completed his hat-trick after a brilliant run from the midfield and beating the rival goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation. “He’s a good finisher with both feet. He found places underneath and within the seams of the other team’s defence, which wound up being good opportunities to score. He finished them off really well,’’ Wizards’ head coach Peter Vermes said after the match.
‘’He could probably play wide as well, but he hasn’t had a lot of time in his career playing there,’’ he added.
The dimunitive striker has more reasons to celebrate since he has received his P-1 visa and International Transfer Certificate approval and is all set to become an official member of the Kansas City Wizards squad.
Chhetri, however, missed the first team’s clash against cross-state rivals AC St Louis in the second leg of the Supporters Showdown in St Louis.
Chhetri is not yet guaranteed a spot in the Wizards’ main squad since the side now has 11 players for 10 international roster spots and one of their overseas signings will have to miss out.
With the MLS allowing only 24 players for each club, the Wizards will have to axe another player in order to comply with the rules.
The team is also trying to acquire green cards for at least three players and is pursuing US citizenship for another, whose father is an American.
The Wizards will play their next MLS match against Colorado Rapids at home on April 10.
