The Colorado Rapids will host a national-squad friendly match for the first time since 2003 when the Major League Soccer team plays the Chinese national team at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on June 10.
The exhibition game is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will mark the Chinese team’s first appearance in Colorado.
In 2002, China qualified for its first World Cup. It was reported at the time that more than 170 million new television sets were sold in China so more than 300 million Chinese fans could follow their team.
“The Chinese team sees this as an important match as a part of the final preparation of the Asian Cup finals in July and will bring its strongest squad possible,” said Peter Chen, FIFA match agent.
China is No. 72 in the 199- nation FIFA world rankings and defeated host Uzbekistan 3-1 on March 27. That game followed a 2-0 loss to visiting Australia on March 24.
China has played this year with a roster that includes Manchester United forward Dong Fangzhuo and Manchester City defender Sun Jihai of the British Premier League; Energie Cottbus defender Shao Jiayi of the German Bundesliga; and defender Sun Xiang of Dutch Erevidisie champion PSV Eindhoven.
The Rapids most recently hosted a national-team friendly four years ago, when they defeated Guatemala 3-1.
