IAN Joy is quitting Kidderminster Harriers in a bid to play for the United States national team in the 2004 Olympics.

The 21-year-old defender has decided to chance his luck in the draft system of Major League Soccer in the States.

A visit home during the summer and a couple of training sessions provided him with the chance to return for three trials games next month and the opportunity of being snapped up by a MLS club.

He said: "It has not really worked out for me this season. I have only played around 10 games and I am a little bit disappointed because I thought I would get my chance when Scott Stamps was injured, but it hasn't really happened.

"The system has been changed which hasn't really helped me, so I decided it was time to assess my options."

Former Montrose left-back Joy, who trained with the US under-23 side in Manchester during their mini-tour of England in July, added: "The under-23 team is going to represent the country at the Olympic Games in Athens and as I had a good year last season and trained well in Manchester, it got me noticed again."

Joy's last appearance in Harriers' squad will be for Wednesday's Nationwide League Division Three clash at Exeter City (3pm).