It has been a disappointing year for the former teen prodigy since featuring in the FIFA Confederations Cup South Africa 2009, which was to be his last appearance for the national team for 12 months. Christie also lost his position at A-League club Wellington Phoenix and dropped back to semi-professional football spending a season with Waitakere United. In an attempt to reinvigorate his career and a shot at the All Whites' South Africa 2010 squad, Christie signed for USA second tier side Tampa Bay Rowdies for their inaugural season in January.<\/P>
A utility player Christie has filled numerous roles in his career, and having started primarily as a midfielder, he was used mostly at right full-back for Wellington Phoenix.<\/P>
The tough-tackling Christie started his career in boom fashion by captaining his country at the FIFA U-17 World Cup on home turf in 1999. There followed appearances for the New Zealand U-20 national team only for his club career to stall at various times.<\/P>
A lengthy spell at Barnsley in England saw Christie fail to find regular first-team action but the agile utility has found the Australian A-League to be prosperous, firstly with New Zealand Knights and then with Perth Glory alongside fellow Kiwi flanker Leo Bertos.<\/P>
Christie was brought on as an early substitute against Spain in the All Whites’ 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup opener helping to shore up New Zealand’s midfield defensive effort. He then earned a start against South Africa but was again on the bench for the final group match against Iraq.<\/P>","781CC09C30E6A152":"1","e_index":8};