Jamaican International Khari Stephenson, frustrated with his playing time at Major League Soccer (MLS) team Kansas City Wizards, will travel to Utah this weekend to train with Real Salt Lake for a week, his father/manager Ambassador Stewart Stephenson told the Observer yesterday.

"The plan is for him to also try out at LA Galaxy," he added.
Khari has been used in different positions at Wizards, leaving the 24 year-old unsettled and it had apparently affected his performance.

According to Ambassador Stephenson, who is also president of the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA), Khari's preferred position is at attacking or central midfield, but the Wizards have also played him in attacking and defensive roles.

"That has unsettled him, plus they also want him to accept a salary cut of almost half to accommodate a Finland striker," the KSAFA president pointed out.

Now in the MLS player pool, the Wolmer's old boy is contracted to the United States Soccer League until December 31, after which his contract could be renewed for another year or until 2007.

While in the MLS player pool, any of the clubs may pick him between now and December's end.

But according to the player's father/manager, the MLS has the option of not renewing his contract, paving the way for the former Real Mona player to return to Jamaica to consider the two National Premier League teams that expressed an interest in him.

He may also look to Europe for a Division Two team in The Netherlands, or a Serie A team in Italy.

Khari, who holds an economics degree, also has options in Denmark, Norway, Finland, or Sweden, which he has taken a liking to, said the KSAFA boss.

A skilful player good with both feet, adept at dead-ball situations as well as on the trot, Khari has been selected to the Reggae Boyz squad to play Australia on October 9, in London, England.

"He has a good span, covering the entire field and he likes to dominate the game," said Ambassador Stephenson, who served as Jamaican Ambassador to Cuba and Canada, and is widely regarded as one of Jamaica's top football administrators with a reputation for the building of the sport from the base up.

"Khari has been a professional player for two years, he is no longer a rookie, and has to improve his international stature. His career has to go forward," he explained.

The Ambassador has admitted that the Wizards have been good to Khari, giving him the opportunity to stamp his class in the MLS with his six-foot two-inch 185-pound frame.
"He has so much potential," Stephenson said.

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