Several international tournaments are taking place this summer, leaving the Major League Soccer sides absent. Right now, MLS players are involved in the European Championship 2020 across Europe and the 2021 Copa America in Brazil.
Here are the current MLS teams that are affected by players on international service before a weekend in league action …
Josef Martinez for Atlanta United vs Seattle Sounders FC / Steph Chambers / Getty Images
Missing players: Josef Martinez, Ronald Hernandez
The two players are out on international duty when Venezuela plays the Copa America 2021 in Brazil. Josef Martinez has not yet participated in the tournament after testing positive for Covid-19 along with 10 other players in Venezuela, but hopes to test negative in time for the next match.
Ronald Hernandez has not yet made his debut in Major League Soccer and is leaving for the South American tournament when Atlanta United started to gain momentum. The two will soon be back in MLS.
Gaston Gimenez with for Paraguay / NORBERTO DUARTE / Getty Images
Missing players: Gaston Gimenez (Paraguay) Przemyslaw Frankowski (Poland)
Chicago Fire FC will be affected as both Gimenez and Frankowski play regularly in the club’s start 11. Frankowski played for Poland in Euro 2020 and came on the pitch for the last 16 minutes of the match against Slovakia. Despite the player’s best efforts, Poland beat after 2-1 with only 10 men on the field.
Gimenez has not yet played for Paraguay during the Copa America but hopes to do so against Argentina in the upcoming match.
Szabolcs Schon plays for Hungary vs Portugal in UEFA Euro 2020 / Attila Kisebenedek – Pool / Getty Images
Missing players: Szabolcs Schon
The young player played for Hungary in the euro and entered the match in the 77th minute against Portugal. Despite the 3-0 defeat, Schon created a fantastic opportunity that proved his potential for manager Marco Rossi. In just 24 minutes, Schon improved the attack and fought an admirable battle to match clear favorites Portugal.
Junior Moreno vs. Neymar in Brazil vs. Venezuela for Copa America Brazil 2021 / Buda Mendes / Getty Images
Missing players: Junior Moreno
Moreno is out on international duty for Venezuela in the Copa America. Due to injuries and international service, the new DC United coach Hernan Losada has not yet seen a full-strength squad for almost two months of the 2021 MLS season.
Moreno has so far played both tournament matches.
Brian Rodriguez for Uruguay against Chile in World Cup qualifier / RAUL MARTINEZ / Getty Images
Missing players: Brian Rodriguez (Uruguay), Diego Palacios (Ecuador)
Prior to international service, Brian Rodriguez was on loan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Almeria. Although his absence will not be felt by LAFC, Diego Palacios leaves for Ecuador. Marco Farfan has taken over for Palacios when he played for Ecuador at the Copa America.
Jukka Raitala for Finland vs. Denmark in UEFA Euro 2020: Group B / Stuart Franklin / Getty Images
Missing players: Robin Lod (Finland), Jukka Raitala (Finland), Jan Gregus (Slovakia)
Minnesota United is the MLS side that is most affected by international duty. Lod and Raitala have both been phenomenal for Finland when they played in Euro 2020. Robin Lod kept the midfield stable and secure to enable forward Joel Pohjanpalo to score the only goal in Finland’s 1-0 victory against Denmark.
Raitala also defended well in the game and completed four clearances and three cross blocks in addition to 10 defensive stops. Jan Gregus has not yet made his debut in the tournament despite making the list for every match.
Lassi Lappalainen for CF Montreal vs Inter Miami CF / Michael Reaves / Getty Images
Missing players: Lassi Lappalainen
The Montreal player simply saw from the side when Finland defeated Denmark 1-0.
Jhonder Cadiz for Nashville SC vs. Austin FC / Brett Carlsen / Getty Images
Missing players: Jhonder Cadiz
The Venezuela international played well for his country, but still could not influence the result of any match. Venezuela is so far without a win in the Copa America and puts its place in danger as the knockout scene approaches.
Alexander Callens for New York City FC vs. DC United / Brad Smith / ISI Photos / Getty Images
Missing players: Alexander Callens
The NYCFC center-back has been out of international service for Peru at the Copa America, leaving Ronny Deila in his place in central defense. Although Callens was not involved in the match, Peru suffered a 4-0 defeat against tournament favorites Brazil.
Cristian Casseres Jr. for New York Red Bulls vs. Chicago Fire FC / Ira L.Black – Corbis / Getty Images
Missing players: Cristian Casseres Jr.
Unfortunately for the Red Bulls, Casseres was called by Venezuela to participate in the Copa America.
The forward has been one of the team’s best players in the eight matches so far this season, scoring goals and giving intensity to the attack. Dru Yearwood will replace Casseres until he returns from Brazil.
Sebastian Mendez vs. Colombia player Daniel Muñoz / Rogerio Florentino / Getty Images
Missing players: Pedro Gallese (Peru), Sebastian Mendez (Ecuador)
When both players left the Copa America, they left Orlando City without two regulars in the first team. Goalkeeper Pedro Gallese normally starts for the MLS side and leaves Brandon Austin to figure things out when the player represents Peru in Brazil.
Mendez is also in Brazil and plays against Colombia without luck as Ecuador suffered a 1-0 defeat. Taking over for the player may be newcomer Daryl Dike.
Jose Martinez vs. Neymar in Venezuela vs. Brazil Copa America 2021 / Buda Mendes / Getty Images
Missing players: Jose Martinez (Venezuela), Daniel Gazdag (Hungary)
Although he was on Hungary’s Euro 2020 list, Gazdag did not make the squad for the match against Portugal.
Martinez, on the other hand, has been crucial for Venezuela as half of the team suffered a Covid-19 crisis day before the tournament started. Stateside, the two players leave the Philadelphia Union with some roster complications.
Felipe Mora for Chile against Peru in the South American qualifiers for Qatar 2022 / Pool / Getty Images
Missing players: Felipe Mora (Chile), Yimmi Chara (Colombia)
Even before international service, the Portland Timbers had a fairly basic list.
Both players are currently in Brazil and play in the Copa America, where Chile and Colombia look to qualify for the next round and leave the Timbers without their players a little longer.
Marcos Lopez vs. Neymar in Copa America 2021 / CARL DE SOUZA / Getty Images
Missing players: Marcos Lopez
Lopez has been away with Peru in Brazil and left the earthquakes without any of their reliable defenders. Peru have fought in the Copa America and signaled to the Sounders that they can get their player back sooner rather than later.
Xavier Arreaga for Seattle Sounders FC vs. San Jose Earthquakes / Thearon W. Henderson / Getty Images
Missing players: Xavier Arreaga
Although he is on the match list, Arreaga has not yet played for Ecuador in the Copa America. His country fought Colombia and is still hesitant to qualify for the next round. Although Arreaga left Shane O’Neill in his place in central defense, the Sounders player is expected to return soon.
Yeferson Soteldo under Santos vs. San Lorenzo – Copa CONMEBOL Libertadores 2021 / Buda Mendes / Getty Images
Missing players: Yeferson Soteldo
With Soteldo away and Jozy Altidore doubtful, Toronto could face a problem being on the attack. Even after being called up, Soteldo has yet to make a debut in the Copa America.
