Kansas City Wizards attacker Sunil Chhetri is expected to see playing time this Sunday, as his Major League Soccer team takes on Manchester United on Sunday, July 25 at 5 p.m. CT (Monday, July 26 at 3:30 a.m. IST) at the New Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, MO. Tickets for the match are available here.
“We're looking forward to Sunil getting the opportunity to play," Kansas City Wizards Manager Peter Vermes said. "He's been working very hard, and this game will give him a chance to measure himself against some of the best players in the world.”
Kansas City signed Chhetri from Dempo SC prior to the start of the 2010 MLS season, making him the first Indian to join an MLS team. Chhetri scored in his debut as a substitute in an exhibition against the University of Tulsa and followed that performance with a hat trick against the University of Evansville in another reserves game in April. He made his first-team debut in a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup play-in match on April 13th when he was named to the starting lineup in a 2-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids.
“I'm very excited,” Chhetri said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play against the best team in the world.”
The 25-year-old was one of 30 players recently selected for the Indian National Team’s ongoing preparations for the 2011 Asian Cup, but India head coach Bob Houghton indicated Chhetri would join the team towards the end of the year following the conclusion of the MLS season. Chhetri was a pivotal player in the country’s qualification process, scoring a hat trick in the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup final to secure India’s spot in the Asian Cup for the first time in 24 years. Chhetri has appeared 35 times for India, scoring 16 goals.
Sunday’s marquee match between the Kansas City Wizards and Manchester United will be broadcast live in the United States on Fox Soccer Channel, beginning with a live pre-game show at 4:30 p.m. CT (3:00 a.m. IST). It will also be streamed live on MUTV Online, Manchester United’s subscription video service available at mu.tv.manutd.com for £4.5/month (approximately 325 INR).
Fans who cannot watch the game are encouraged to visit www.KCWizards.com for video highlights, recaps and much more following Sunday’s soccer showcase.
