Toronto FC announced Friday that the club will host a friendly match against English Premier League club Sunderland A.F.C. on Wednesday, July 22 at BMO Field. Kick-off time will be at 7:00 p.m. ET.

“As we have seen with previous friendly matches, playing against a club from one of the top leagues in the world provides our players the chance to compete against quality European talent,” said Toronto FC General Manager Tim Bezbatchenko. “In particular it provides our young players the chance to compare themselves to players with international experience aiding in their development.”

Sunderland was founded in 1879 and has won six First Division (Premier League) titles in club history, along with two FA Cups, one FA Community Shield, and is a two-time finalist in the Football League Cup, most recently as 2014. The Black Cats are led by former Toronto FC striker, Jermain Defoe, Irish international defender and club captain, John O’Shea, along with a number of young promising English players including Connor Wickham and Jack Rodwell.

“Toronto are a well-established MLS side and will provide us with quality opposition in the final fixture of our three-game tour,” said Sunderland AFC’s Sporting Director Lee Congerton. “It presents Jermain Defoe with the opportunity to play against his former club, which will be great for him and of course we will also face Jozy Altidore, who is doing well since his move to Canada.”

Tickets will be available through a special pre-sale window for Toronto FC season seat holders beginning Tuesday, June 9. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, June 17. For more details or to purchase tickets, visit www.torontofc.ca or call (416)-360-GOAL (4625).