United midfielder Zoltán Stieber and the Hungarian Men’s National Team take on Luxembourg in a friendly at the Stade Josy Barthel in Luxembourg City Thursday at 2 p.m. ET. The match is the Hungarians' penultimate game of 2017 before closing out the year against Costa Rica on Nov. 14.
Stieber has appeared in four of Hungary’s seven matches this year, including their 1-0 win against the Faroe Islands on Oct. 10. With the midfielder earning starting nods in three of Hungary's last five matches, Stieber will remain a valuable option against Luxembourg, whether through a starting role or coming off the bench for his homeland.
Neither Hungary nor Luxembourg qualified for next year’s World Cup in Russia, leaving only pride on the line for Thursday's matchup. Luxembourg will host Hungary fresh off a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in their last World Cup Qualifying match on Oct. 10, and while the tiny country is limited in roster value compared to many of its European counterparts, expect a fight from both sides. In September, the Red Lions gritted their way to a goalless draw against powerhouse France, holding their own against a French roster that totaled approximately €1 billion worth of talent, and building up to what will likely be a hard-fought battle between Luxembourg and Hungary today.
In total, Stieber has played in 23 games for Hungary, scoring three goals and adding two assists. After joining D.C. during the summer transfer window and playing in eight games with United, Stieber continues to prove his value for both the Hungarians and the Black-and-Red.
