Missouri Comets News Release -- www.missouricomets.com
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- The Missouri Comets are excited to announce the signing of Craig Rocastle for the remainder of the 2011-2012 MISL season, pending league approval. The former MLS and current international midfielder is ready to step in and help the Comets as they prepare for the final playoff push.
“Craig is somebody we have kept an eye on since he was released in late November by Sporting," Comets coach Kim Roentved said. "When a player of his caliber is available, you go out and sign him.”
The 6-foot-1 Rocastle comes from Lewisham, England, but holds citizenship with the country of Grenada. He has played extensively in the European highest divisions, holding stints with English Premier League team Chelsea, Sheffield Wednesday and Oldham Athletic. In 2009 he signed with English club Forest Green Rovers. His debut performance with that side earned him a Man of the Match award in a 1-1 draw with Eastbourne Borough. Overall he made 15 appearances with the Rovers before getting interest from American teams.
Rocastle signed with the Kansas City Wizards, now Sporting Kansas City, in March of 2010. He made 23 appearances with the Wizards that season, starting 18 games. He was an important part of the lineup for the Wizards’ match against Colorado in the U.S. Open Cup and in the Wizards’ 2-1 victory over Manchester United that season. In November of that same year he got the call-up to the Grenada National Team player pool. He earned his first cap on November 26, 2010 in a Caribbean Championship match against Guadeloupe. Rocastle appeared in six of Sporting Kansas City’s first 10 games last season before hurting his knee in a Gold Cup match with Grenada. Overall in the last two seasons he has made 29 appearances (23 starts) for the Wizards/Sporting franchise and has earned nine caps for Grenada.
Rocastle should be in uniform and ready to play this weekend when the Comets travel to Milwaukee on Friday January 6th and Wichita January 7th. Currently the team is in second place in the MISL’s Central Division and hopes to gain ground on the division-leading Milwaukee Wave, then separate themselves from the Wichita Wings. Fans can get their first glimpse of Rocastle at home on January 14th at Sprint Center in downtown Kansas City as the Comets take on the Wichita Wings in the annual Retro Game.
For more information about the Comets, Season Tickets or Group Outings please call Jeff Husted (816-478-7870) or email jhusted@cometsindoorsoccer.com.