International Preview: Six Sporting players set to represent their countries during FIFA window

Over the next six days, as many as six Sporting Kansas City players could take the field for international competition across North America and Europe during September’s FIFA window.

The action begins Thursday, rolls through the weekend and concludes next Tuesday as friendly matches, UEFA Euro 2020 qualifiers and youth international tournaments add to an enticing albeit abbreviated Week 27 in Major League Soccer.

With that in mind, let’s jump into an all-encompassing preview of the international fixtures featuring Sporting Kansas City players. The table far below includes kickoff times and TV/streaming details.

Hungary for More

Center back Botond Barath and forward Krisztian Nemeth have joined Hungary for the resumption of Euro 2020 qualifying. First up is a friendly with Montenegro on Thursday, followed by next Monday’s all-important qualifier against Slovakia. Hungary currently sit atop Group E halfway through the qualifying campaign, with the top two finishers advancing to Euro 2020 next summer.

Great Scot

Johnny Russell and Scotland are set to host a pair of formidable opponents at Hampden Park in Glasgow, welcoming Russia on Friday and world No. 1-ranked Belgium on Monday. Taking up to four points from the two Euro qualifiers would work wonders for Scotland as they aim for a top-two finish in Group I.

Playing for Pride

Nico Hasler and Liechtenstein have lost each of their first four qualifiers in Group J, but pride remains abundant for the microstate heading into a two-game road swing. Hasler’s travels will take him to Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday and to Greece on Sunday.

La Roja in La La Land

Felipe Gutierrez’s standout performances with Sporting have landed him a call to La Roja, who will face fellow South American powerhouse Argentina on Thursday night at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The high-profile encounter will be followed by another Chile friendly next Tuesday at Honduras in San Pedro Sula.

Balling Busio

Midfielder Gianluca Busio is the centerpiece of a United States U-17 side that has traveled to Assen, Netherlands, for the 4 Nations Tournament. This three-game competition will serve as the U.S. U-17s’ final preparation before the FIFA U-17 World Cup, which runs from late October to mid-November in Brazil. Busio and the Americans will meet rivals Mexico on Thursday, hosts Netherlands on Saturday and Denmark next Monday.

Sporting Abroad: International Match Schedule (Sept. 5-10, 2019)