Not a Churchill, but a Winston hopes to smoke the MLS for Sporting KC

By Sean McCaffery, February 15, 2020

Out of EPL side West Ham United and 166 games. comes New Zeland international Winston Reid, and his more than 300 pro games overall. At 31, the central defender is on loan, his 6'3" frame will fill a lot of space at Mercy. The 25 games for this nation include 3 starts at the World Cup in South Africa. From Aukland to Denmark at 10, his pro career began their with FC Midtjylland in 2005, first game at 17, a starting player come 2008, as the Wolves made it to the UEFA Europa League, 92 games with them then off to West Ham in 2010. He first dressed for the side Aug. 14, 2010 followed by 221 more games in a row, that Feb. he got his first goal during a victory over Burnley in the FA Cup. 2011-'12 saw them relegated to the Championship, but he led the fight to promotion with his 3 goals over the 30 games and the win facing Blackpool in the Football League Championship Playoff FInal at the one and only Wembley. Three dozen PL games, a personal best in 2013-'14 he was selected as team Player of the Year and team being in the top 50% of the league. His initial PL goal was v cross town rival Fulham, Sept.1, 2012, that same season they would take a win fom Chelsea, then UEFA Champions League titlests. Winston continued on as a vital cog for West Ham in the back, getting a goal in a 3-1 win over Liverpool, Sept. 20, 2014.  2015-'16 was a big year, good for 7th in the league and making the cut for UEFA Europa League qualifiers. A top man in the game with the GWG at Upton Park in East London, a 3-2 result over powerhouse Manchester United, West Ham's final game at their home ground. 2016-'17 had him start some 30 games in the PL, netting in wins with Sunderland & Swansea City. His last 3 years there, Winston had 19 starts overall for his club team.

In that he is a dual national with NZ and Denmark he was with the Denmark NT for the U-19, 20 & 21 NTs from 2007-2010. For his senior team international career he chose NZ and made their team for the 2010 World Cup. In South Africa, the All Whites were if nothing consistent in going 0-0-3 with surprise, a TIE with Italy , yet did not make the next round. He has what is still his sole goal for the nation, the 1-1 tie with Slovakia off a headed ball. As recently as Nov. he was againg representing NZ v Ireland.

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