Wizards host Rapids tonight

The Wizards host the Colorado Rapids in an Open Cup qualifier at 7:30 tonight at UMKC. It will likely see the debut of Sunil Chhetri for the Wizards and Claudio Lopez for the Rapids. Chhetri was just officially added to the the Wizards roster when they finally received the International Transfer Card. Claudio Lopez is now available for Colorado after receiving his P1 Visa.

This will be the first meaningful game for Chhetri with the Wizards. He previously played in friendlies against University of Tulsa and the University of Evansville. He scored once against Tulsa and a hat trick in the Evansville game.

Sunil scoring against Tulsa...


Sunil moving to shoot against Evansville...


Chhetri has demonstrated a nose for goal and a fantastic finishing ability in the friendlies and practices so far but the larger, faster and more physical players on Colorado will be a harder test for him.

Claudio will be facing his former team for the first time and may not recognize it will all the new players Kansas City brought in since Lopez was here last fall. Claudio has just came into camp so probably is not 90 minute game fit so it will be interesting to see how long he plays.

Claudio tossing his jersey into the crowd after the last game last year...


I will miss seeing Claudio walk onto the field with his son...