Stephenson on trial with DC United
DISCARDED NATIONAL midfielder Khari Stephenson is now on a two-week trial stint with Major League Soccer outfit DC United at their training base in Bradenton, Florida. The 32-year-old Stephenson is hoping to secure a roster spot on the DC United team this season, after he was released from Real Salt Lake last November. Stephenson, according to a report on the website sbnation.com, will be competing for a roster spot in the DC United team, which is packed with central midfielders. DC United already have veterans Perry Kitchen, Davy Arnaud and Lewis Neal, along with young players
Jared Jeffrey, Luis Silva and Collin Martin, in their squad.
WOULD GO CHEAP
Stephenson, if he were to earn a roster spot, would come relatively cheap. After making US$190,000 in base salary in 2012 at the San Jose Earthquakes, his base salary was less than half of that (US$77,500) this past season at Real Salt Lake.
Stephenson, who made 19 appearances for Real Salt Lake while scoring one goal this season, told The
Gleaner: “It (2013) was a good season, but it had its ups and downs. I started off really well, but I picked up an injury and I came back and the team was playing really well and everything was working out, but we had a squad rotation and I was in and out of the team.” Stephenson, who has made 32 appearances for the Reggae Boyz, noted that he has no plans to retire from international football.
“I don’t think so; not at this stage,” he said. “That (a final decision) is not up to me because I have always made myself available, so if they should call me, then we will see what happens there,” Stephenson said.