Chile vs. Peru
International Friendly
Friday, Oct. 12 | 7:30 p.m. CT
Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Florida
For the first time in 12 months, Felipe Gutierrez is set to represent the Chile Men’s National Team.
The Sporting KC midfielder is included in a formidable 24-man squad assembled by head coach Reinaldo Rueda, with Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez and FC Barcelona midfielder Arturo Vidal among the world-class stars to join La Roja for a pair of friendlies during the FIFA international window in October. Chile’s first test comes Friday against Peru, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. CT inside Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins.
Gutierrez’s return to the national team is no small achievement. Chile are No. 12 in the latest FIFA rankings as back-to-back Copa America champions, having hoisted to the continental title in 2015 and 2016.
Facing La Roja will be a Peru team that competed at the FIFA World Cup this summer in Russia for the first time since 1982. The Peruvian squad includes four players who ply their club trade in MLS: New York City FC defender Alexander Callens, Orlando midfielder Yoshimar Yotun, Portland midfielder Andy Polo and Seattle striker Raul Ruidiaz.
In 2010, Gutierrez earned his first of 35 caps at the senior international level. The versatile midfielder notably competed at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil and helped Chile lift the 2015 Copa America title as champions of South America. Gutierrez was named to La Roja’s roster for the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup last summer and most recently represented his country in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying win over Ecuador in October 2017.
Gutierrez, who celebrated his 28th birthday on Monday, has tallied seven goals and two assists since joining Sporting KC ahead of the 2018 season. He garnered MLS Player of the Month honors in March, scoring five goals across his first five MLS appearances, before a hernia injury sidelined him from May to July. Gutierrez has since returned to the lineup and played an integral role for a team that sits two points out of first place in the Western Conference.
With Chile set to face Mexico next Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Estadio Corregidora in Queretaro, Gutierrez will likely be unavailable for next Wednesday’s MLS match between Sporting KC and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place in Vancouver.
Chile Roster
Goalkeepers (3): Brayan Cortes (Colo-Colo), Fernando de Paul (Universidad de Chile), Lawrence Vigouroux (Swindon Town)
Defenders (8): Gary Medel (Besiktas), Mauricio Isla (Fenerbahce), Eugenio Mena (Racing), Enzo Roco (Besiktas), Paulo Diaz (Al-Ahli), Guillermo Maripan (Alaves), Igor Lichnovsky (Cruz Azul), Alfonso Parot (Rosario Central)
Midfielders (7): Arturo Vidal (FC Barcelona), Matias Fernandez (Necaxa), Felipe Gutierrez (Sporting Kansas City), Erick Pulgar (Bologna), Lorenzo Reyes (Atlas), Diego Valdes (Morelia), Victor Davila (Necaxa)
Forwards (6): Alexis Sanchez (Manchester United), Nicolas Castillo (Benfica), Junior Fernandes (Alanyaspor), Angelo Sagal (Pachuca), Angelo Henriquez (Universidad de Chile), Ignacio Jeraldino (Audax Italiano)
