Chile at South Korea
International Friendly
Tuesday, Sept. 11 | 6 a.m. CT
Suwon World Cup Stadium | Suwon, South Korea
Diego Rubio and the Chile Men’s National Team ventured to Asia last week for the first of what they thought would be two friendlies against Japan and South Korea, respectively. Mother nature intervened, however, as a 6.7 magnitude earthquake rocked the island of Hokkaido and canceled Friday’s match between Chile and Japan at the Sapporo Dome. Chile has since traveled safely from Japan to South Korea, where they will battle the hosts at 6 a.m. CT Tuesday at Suwon World Cup Stadium in Suwon.
Rubio has earned three career caps for La Roja’s senior team, but none since 2011 when he was just 18 years old. The Sporting KC striker has caught fire over the last two months, with five of his seven MLS goals coming in his last five appearances. Rubio also has five MLS assists and leads the league with 1.21 goals per 90 minutes played, earning the moniker as Major League Soccer’s most efficient attacker.
Chile currently occupies No. 12 in the latest FIFA rankings as back-to-back Copa America champions, having hoisted to the continental title in 2015 and 2016. This makes the occasion all the sweeter for Rubio, who will have the opportunity to make a positive impression under La Roja head coach Reinaldo Rueda in hopes of garnering more call-ups in the future. Chile’s current squad is highlighted by world-class midfielder Arturo Vidal, who sealed a transfer from German giants Bayern Munich to Spanish juggernaut FC Barcelona this summer.
Awaiting Chile will be South Korea, one of Asia’s best-performing teams over the last two decades. South Korea’s talisman is Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min, who has bagged 47 goals for the English club over the last three seasons. Son recently guided his country to the 2018 Asian Games championships, thus securing his guaranteed exemption from mandatory military service in South Korea. Guided by Portuguese head coach Paulo Bento, the South Koreans sit 57th in the FIFA rankings.
Following Tuesday’s friendly, Rubio will fly across the Pacific to rejoin Sporting KC ahead of their pivotal road match with the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday at Avaya Stadium.
Chile Roster
Goalkeepers: Gabriel Arias (Racing), Brayan Cortes (Colo-Colo), Lawrence Vigouroux (Swindon Town)
Defenders: Gary Medel (Besiktas), Mauricio Isla (Fenerbahce), Enzo Roco (Besiktas), Paulo Diaz (Al-Ahli), Miiko Albornoz (Hannover), Guillermo Maripan (Alaves), Igor Lichnovsky (Cruz Azul), Cristian Cuevas (Austria Wien), Francisco Sierralta (Parma)
Midfielders: Arturo Vidal (Barcelona), Charles Aranguiz (Bayer Leverkusen), Pablo Hernandez (Independiente), Erick Pulgar (Bologna), Lorenzo Reyes (Atlas), Diego Valdes (Morelia)
Forwards: Fabian Orellana (Eibar), Angelo Henriquez (Universidad de Chile), Angelo Sagal (Pachuca), Martin Rodriguez (Pumas), Diego Rubio (Sporting Kansas City), Ignacio Jeraldino (Audax Italiano)
