Rosell plays for Catalonia XI

• by Soccer America , Dec 30, 2013

[INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES] Second-year Sporting Kansas City midfielder Oriol Rosell played for Catalonia in its annual holiday friendly game, a 4-1 win over Cape Verde Islands in Barcelona on Tuesday. Rosell, 21, is a product of the Barcelona youth system. Eight current Barca players -- including Spanish internationals Gerard Pique, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets and Cesc Fabregas -- played for Catalonia, while all four goals were scored by former Barca players -- Sergio Garcia (two), Bojan Krkic and Oriol Riera.

Rosell, whose career in Spain was limited to seven appearances for Barcelona B in 2012, came on for Marc Valiente in the 67th minute. Catalonia had recovered from an early deficit to take the lead on two goals by Garcia a minute apart in the 16th and 17th minutes and Bojan a minute after that. Riera finished the scoring three minutes before Rosell entered the game.

The game drew a crowd of 20,700 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, which was used for the 1992 Olympic Games.

Catalonia has played every holiday season but one since 1997. The Selecció Catalana is an unofficial national team. Other Spanish regions hold similar games during the holidays.