Three Sporting Kansas City players represented their national teams in Europe on Thursday as competition during the September FIFA window kicked off across the globe.
Hungary duo Krisztian Nemeth and Botond Barath started in a 2-1 friendly loss at Montenegro, while Liechtenstein’s Nico Hasler logged 90 minutes in a 5-0 Euro qualifying loss at Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Earning his 37th career cap, Nemeth donned the captain’s armband for Hungary and helped the visitors to a 1-0 lead inside two minutes at Podgorica City Stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro. His cutback pass to David Holman was subsequently poked into the path of Filip Holender, who finished convincingly for his first Magyars goal. The Sporting striker played all 90 minutes in the losing effort.
Barath was also included in Hungary’s starting lineup, collecting his seventh career cap, and exited at halftime with the score tied at 1-1. Montenegro’s Nebojsa Kosovic sent a long-range curler into the far corner to level terms on 32 minutes, and the hosts would secure their victory on a 75th-minute penalty from Stefan Mugosa.
Nemeth and Barath will remain with the Magyars for a pivotal UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier against Slovakia next Monday at Groupama Arena in Budapest. Kickoff is set for 1:45 p.m. CT with a live stream on ESPN3 and the ESPN app. Hungary currently occupies first place in Group E under head coach Marco Rossi, with the top two finishers in the group advancing to Euro 2020 next summer.
Less than 200 miles further north along the Adriatic Sea, Hasler and Liechtenstein gave a valiant effort versus hosts Bosnia and Herzegovina before caving in late at Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica. Hasler played in an advanced midfield position, making his 63rd senior appearance as Liechtenstein dropped to 0-5-0 in Group J of Euro 2020 qualifying. The Bosnians held a 1-0 lead for most of the match before striking four times in the final 10 minutes.
Hasler and Liechtenstein will now prepare for another Euro qualifying road trip, visiting Greece for a 1:45 p.m. CT kickoff on Sunday at Olympic Stadium in Athens. The contest will kick off at 1:45 p.m. CT and stream live on ESPN3 and the ESPN app.
