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Sporting KC to host Manchester City in July friendly

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Photo by Bill Barrett/ISIphotos.com

By FRANCO PANIZO

Kansas City might not be hosting the MLS All-Star Game again in 2014, but that will not prevent a marquee European club from paying a visit to Sporting Park this summer.

Sporting Kansas City announced Tuesday that it will host a friendly against Premiership heavyweights Manchester City on July 23. The game is part of a series of events that comprise the reigning MLS Cup champions’ Summer in the Soccer Capital, which also includes official World Cup watch parties at KC Live! in the Power & Light District in the downtown area.

“It is a pleasure to host a world-class club like Manchester City,” said Sporting KC manager Peter Vermes. “It will be a great event not only for our fans, but our players as well to measure ourselves against one of the best teams in all of soccer.”

Manchester City will be preparing for the start of its new season when the match at Sporting Park takes place, but there should still be a number of premier players on display against a Sporting KC side that will be in the middle of its MLS campaign.

“Every time we visit the US, we’re always blown-away by the incredible reception we receive from our American fans,” saidd Man City striker Sergio Aguero. “The whole team is looking forward to not only returning to the states this summer, but also to playing in Kansas for the first time. Having won the MLS title, Sporting Kansas City’s reputation for being formidable opponents is richly deserved. It’s sure to be a tough test and a fantastic game of football for the fans. We’ve heard a lot about the city, so it will be great to see what it has in store.”

Here is a video that Sporting KC released in conjunction with the announcement of the friendly:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHUvvA4hHpI?feature=player_embedded]

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What do you think of Sporting KC hosting a friendly vs. Manchester City? Excited and planning on attending? Hoping to see more MLS clubs plan matches like this against marquee opposition in the near future?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. I’m happy for friendlies but can[t we have them in December when most European leagues take breaks and go on mini-vacations? Or would the temperature be a hindrance?

    I’d love to see Bayern Munich come to say Texas for a 3 week training camp in December and play 2 friendlies with Dynamo and FC Dallas. That would be a big selling point. I doubt the Cowboys will be in the playoffs then so only Mavericks/Spurs/Rockets would be their competition for PR.

    but just an idea.

    why can’t MLS schedule friendlies with the K and J League. Have the Galaxy or Toronto head over there for a 1 week 3 game tour.

    remember when Beckham joined and LA Galaxy toured Australia/New Zealand. Those were fun times. Sure many criticized it since they tried to sell the Galaxy like Real Madrid and no 1 was buying it but it was FUN

    Reply
  2. “Every time we visit the US, we’re always blown-away by the incredible reception we receive from our American fans,” saidd Man City striker Sergio Aguero. “The whole team is looking forward to not only returning to the states this summer, but also to playing in Kansas for the first time. Having won the MLS title, Sporting Kansas City’s reputation for being formidable opponents is richly deserved. It’s sure to be a tough test and a fantastic game of football for the fans. We’ve heard a lot about the city, so it will be great to see what it has in store.”

    does he even know where Kansas is? Does he know where Indonesia or Vietnam? That’s where all the new fans are for CITY. I know he’s trying to sell “his team as a product” but these remarks seem so laughable.

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  3. Wow. I’m impressed to see that Sergio Aguero became so eloquent and well spoken, albeit in Spanish.

    Wait… prepared remarks…

    Reply
    • Agüero’s comments on Twitter are in Spanish and then translated into English. But, in any case, his PR people probably come up with wordings of these statements.

      Reply
  4. In-season friendlies show a lack of self-respect. MLS teams are willing to disrupt their regular seasons (and, in some cases, Open Cup and CCL campaigns) to give European clubs a pre-season scrimmage. I’ll accept the idea when Manchester City is willing to play most of its regulars against SKC in February.

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    • most of the starting 11 will just be coming back from the WC, and they’ll be taking a longer break…..not. worth. it.

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    • This practice isn’t nearly as uncommon as you would expect. European teams often play in-season friendlies. For example, Real Madrid played Paris St. Germain early in January this year in Qatar. As a Celtic supporter, I know they will often play friendlies after their first official SPL game. We just hear about them as much because they aren’t official competitions, but rest assured, they are happening. I have no problem with MLS teams taking the opportunity to schedule these games, particularly when it’s actually a club, not the All-Star team.

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    • It IS lack of respect. Not towards MLS teams, toward the fans.

      We will take money and debase the value of a season ticket. Maybe you think it is only a little bit like Slowleftarm, but it does devalue.

      I thought the Sounders got away from it, but they were just looking for some lesser drawing international name ( Tottenham ) to come to the Sounder’s terms rather than the other way around.

      Reply

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