The Football Federation of Chile announced today that Sporting Kansas City's Felipe Gutierrez has been released by the Chile Men's National Team, allowing the midfielder to serve his one-game MLS suspension for yellow card accumulation on Saturday when Manager Peter Vermes' side visits the Portland Timbers.
Gutierrez, who was an unused substitute in Chile's 0-0 friendly draw against Argentina on Thursday night in Los Angeles, was originally set to remain with La Roja for next Tuesday's friendly at Honduras. His international absence for the Portland match would have forced Gutierrez to serve his yellow card suspension on Sept. 15 when Sporting travels to face the LA Galaxy.
Instead, Gutierrez will be suspended this weekend versus Portland and become available for the all-important match at LA on Sept. 15.
The Chilean leads Sporting with 10 MLS goals this year and has become the fourth midfielder in club history to hit double-digit goals in a single regular season.
Live coverage of Saturday's contest between Sporting and Portland at Providence Park will begin at 9:30 p.m. CT on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus, FOX Sports GO, ESPN 94.5 FM and La Grande 1340 AM.
