MLS teams with players out on international duty

Several international tournaments are taking place this summer, leaving Major League Soccer sides vulnerable to absences. At the moment, MLS players are involved in the 2020 European Championship across Europe and the 2021 Copa America in Brazil.

Here are the current MLS teams impacted by players away on international duty ahead of another weekend of league action...

1. Atlanta United

Missing players: Josef Martinez, Ronald Hernandez

The two players are out on international duty as Venezuela plays the 2021 Copa America in Brazil. Josef Martinez has yet to feature in the tournament after testing positive for Covid-19 along with 10 other Venezuela players, but hopes to test negative in time for their next game.

Ronald Hernandez has yet to make his Major League Soccer debut, departing for the South American tournament as Atlanta United began picking up momentum. The two should be back in MLS soon.

2. Chicago Fire FC

Missing players: Gaston Gimenez (Paraguay) Przemyslaw Frankowski (Poland)

Chicago Fire FC will suffer as both Gimenez and Frankowski feature regularly in the club’s starting 11. Frankowski featured for Poland in the Euros 2020, coming onto the pitch for the final 16 minutes of the match against Slovakia. Despite the player’s best efforts, Poland trailed 2-1 with only 10-men on the pitch.

Gimenez has yet to feature for Paraguay during the Copa America but will hope to do so against Argentina in the upcoming match. 

3. FC Dallas

Missing players: Szabolcs Schon 

The young player featured for Hungary in the Euros, entering the match in the 77th minute against Portugal. Despite the 3-0 defeat, Schon created a stunning opportunity that proved his potential to manager Marco Rossi. In only 24 minutes, Schon improved the attack and put up an admirable fight to match clear favorites Portugal.

4. D.C. United

Missing players: Junior Moreno 

Moreno is out on international duty for Venezuela in the Copa America. Due to injuries and international duty, new D.C. United head coach Hernan Losada has yet to see a full-strength squad in almost two months of the 2021 MLS season.

Moreno has played both tournament matches thus far.

5. Los Angeles FC

Missing players: Brian Rodriguez (Uruguay), Diego Palacios (Ecuador) 

Prior to international duty, Brian Rodriguez was on loan with UD Almeria. Though his absence wont be felt by LAFC, Diego Palacios leaving for Ecuador will. Marco Farfan has taken over for Palacios as he featured for Ecuador at the Copa America.

6. Minnesota United FC

Missing players: Robin Lod (Finland), Jukka Raitala (Finland), Jan Gregus (Slovakia) 

Minnesota United is the MLS side most impacted by international duty. Lod and Raitala have both been phenomenal for Finland while playing in the Euros 2020. Robin Lod maintained the midfield stable and secure to enable forward Joel Pohjanpalo to score the only goal in Finland’s 1-0 win over Denmark.

Raitala also defended well in the game, completing four clearances and three cross blocks in addition to 10 defensive stops. Jan Gregus has yet to debut in the tournament despite making the roster for each match. 

7. CF Montreal

Missing players: Lassi Lappalainen 

The Montreal player simply watched from the sidelines as Finland defeated Denmark 1-0.

8. Nashville SC

Missing players: Jhonder Cadiz 

The Venezuela international played well for his country, but still could not impact the score of either match. Venezuela is without a win in Copa America so far, putting their place in danger as the knockout stage approaches. 

9. New York City FC

Missing players: Alexander Callens 

The NYCFC center back has been away on international duty for Peru at the Copa America, leaving Ronny Deila in his place in central defense. Though Callens was not involved in the match, Peru suffered a 4-0 defeat to tournament favorites Brazil. 

10. New York Red Bulls

Missing players: Cristian Casseres Jr

Unfortunately for the Red Bulls, Casseres was called up by Venezuela to feature in Copa America.

The forward has been one of the team’s top performers in the eight matches so far this season, scoring goals and providing intensity on the attack. Dru Yearwood will be the replacement for Casseres until he returns from Brazil.

11. Orlando City SC

Missing players: Pedro Gallese (Peru), Sebastian Mendez (Ecuador) 

As both players departed for Copa America, they left Orlando City without two regulars in the first team. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese normally starts for the MLS side, leaving Brandon Austin to figure things out as the player represents Peru in Brazil.

Mendez is in Brazil as well, playing against Colombia without any luck as Ecuador suffered a 1-0 defeat. Taking over for the player could be newly joined Daryl Dike. 

12. Philadelphia Union

Missing players: Jose Martinez (Venezuela), Daniel Gazdag (Hungary) 

Despite being featured in Hungary’s Euro 2020 roster, Gazdag did not make the squad for the game against Portugal.

Martinez, on the other hand, has been crucial for Venezuela as half of the team suffered a Covid-19 crisis days before the tournament kicked off. Stateside, the two players leave the Philadelphia Union with some roster complications. 

13. Portland Timbers

Missing players: Felipe Mora (Chile), Yimmi Chara (Colombia) 

Even before international duty the Portland Timbers had a pretty shallow roster.

Both players are currently in Brazil playing in the Copa America, where Chile and Colombia look to qualify for the next round and leave the Timbers without their players for a bit longer. 

14. San Jose Earthquakes

Missing players: Marcos Lopez

Lopez has been away with Peru in Brazil, leaving the Earthquakes without one of their trusty defenders. Peru has been struggling in the Copa America, signalling to the Sounders that they might get their player back sooner rather than later. 

15. Seattle Sounders

Missing players: Xavier Arreaga 

Despite being on the match rosters, Arreaga has yet to feature for Ecuador in the Copa America. His country struggled against Colombia and remain doubtful to qualify for the next round. Though Arreaga left Shane O’Neill in his place at central defense, the Sounders player is expected back soon.

16. Toronto FC

Missing players: Yeferson Soteldo 

With Soteldo gone and Jozy Altidore doubtful, Toronto might face a problem being on the attack. Even after being called up, Soteldo has yet to make a Copa America debut.