Major League Soccer's 20th season in 2015 features players from more than 60 different countries around the world. And among those international players spread across MLS rosters are just two from Venezuela: Sporting Kansas City midfielder Bernardo Anor and Philadelphia Union forward Fernando Aristeguieta, close friends who will be reunited on Sunday at Sporting Park when their teams take the field at 6 p.m. CT in a nationally televised match-up on FOX Sports 1 and FOX Deportes.
Both players come from the capital city of Caracas where they attended the same school - San Ignacio de Loyola -- and played soccer together as youngsters on their path to professional careers.
“We were in the same school and our parents have always been very good friends," Anor said. "I have younger brothers and sisters that are the same age as Fernando. We have always been great friends ever since childhood."
Anor came to the United States in 2007 to attend the University of South Florida, where he played college soccer and studied finance. He joined Sporting KC this past December after playing his first four professional seasons with the Columbus Crew.
Aristeguieta is an MLS newcomer in 2015, joining the Philadelphia Union on loan from France's FC Nantes in February. He started his professional career at the age of 17 playing for Caracas Futbol Club from 2009 until 2013.
Now, for the first time in almost nine years, the two compatriots and comrades are reunited in the same country.
“It has been a while since I have lived in Venezuela so we haven´t spent time together like we did when we both were there. We always see each other during the holidays and breaks and hang out for a couple of days,” said Anor.
“We see each other rather often," added Aristeguieta. "In December, I was at his house and we went out with a couple of our other friends. When I see him I always see his brothers and sisters too."
Both players have made appearances in each of their club's first four matches to start the 2015 season. Aristeguieta is the Union's lone scorer with two goals to his name, while Anor -- who won a penalty at FC Dallas last month -- thrived against Philadelphia a year ago with three goals and an assist in three matches.
Now crossing paths in Kansas City for the first time, the duo are looking forward to the friendly banter to be expected from the reunion.
“Fernando is a character and very funny," said Anor. "Having him in Kansas City is going to be great. I think I will distract him a bit before the game so that he does not play very well."
