David Villa is scheduled to make an appearance when the marathon kicks off March 9. (FrontRowSoccer.com Photo)

Well, well, how appropriate for the city that never sleeps. A soccer marathon that will last an entire day.

New York City FC will hold a 24-hour, 5-a-side soccer game at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan, which will give more than 500 people to play on the plaza and to be coach by City players and head coach Patrick Vieira.

The match, which will pit Team Villa vs. Team Vieira, will kickoff Friday, March 9 at 4 p.m. and continue until Saturday, March 10.

NYCFC FC’s home opener is against the LA Galaxy at Yankee Stadium Sunday, March 11.

“We want to bring together the city, the people who make it great and our soccer club that is proud to call this place home,” NYCFC president Jon Patricof said. “New York is The City That Never Sleeps, so we’re inviting New Yorkers of all skills to an around-the-clock soccer game to launch the club’s fourth season.

“To play soccer outside at Rockefeller Center, one of the most iconic places in the world, will be an incredible experience for anyone who wants to play, or even just come down to watch and cheer on the teams.”

Participants will play on rotation and a DJ entertaining the crowd. Vieira, team captain David Villa and other NYCFC playes are scheduled to lend their coaching skills to participants during the start of the event.

“Soccer is great because it brings people together and you can play in any space,” Villa said. “It will be amazing to play with so many people in the middle of Manhattan that I am proud to call my new home. By the end of the game, it is going to be a very high score and I hope my team finishes on top.

“I can’t think of a more exciting way to start our new season. I can’t wait to see a soccer pitch at Rockefeller Center.”

NYCFC will be collecting donations to support City in the Community, the nonprofit foundation supported by the club, which that uses the power of soccer to promote health, education and leadership development and safe spaces throughout the five boroughs.

*Registration for time slots to play is open at http://www.24hrgame.nyc/On-site registration during game time is also available. Players must be 18+ years of age, but all are invited to attend the event.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.