SEATTLE, WASH. – Five Sounders FC players have been called in to national team duty next week for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Forwards Clint Dempsey and Jordan Morris have been named to Bruce Arena’s roster for the U.S. Men’s National Team, while defenders Román Torres and Joevin Jones have been called in to Panama and Trinidad & Tobago, respectively, for a pair of CONCACAF Hexagonal Round Qualifiers. Additionally, midfielder Nicolás Lodeiro is set to join Uruguay for two matches in CONMEBOL Qualifying, as all five Seattle players look to get their countries closer to making the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Dempsey and Morris are set to join the USMNT as it looks to get bounce back after dropping its first two matches in the Hexagonal Round. Arena’s club first takes on Honduras on Friday, March 24 at Avaya Stadium in San Jose, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m. PT on FS1 and Univision Networks. The Stars and Stripes then face Torres and Panama on Tuesday, March 28 at Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City (7:00 p.m. PT / beIN Sports). The U.S. currently sits in last place with zero points from two matches in the Hex.
Dempsey has 130 appearances and ranks second all-time with 52 career goals for the USMNT, but hasn’t represented his country since the Copa America Centenario last summer, where he recorded three goals and three assists en route to a fourth-place finish. Morris has two goals from 14 international caps, including the winner in last month’s 1-0 friendly win over Jamaica.
Torres and Jones are set to face off on Friday, March 24 when Panama and Trinidad & Tobago meet in Port of Spain, with kickoff slated for 3:00 p.m. PT at Hasely Crawford Stadium. The Soca Warriors then host Mexico on March 28, also at 3:00 p.m. PT from Hasely Crawford Stadium. Torres, who captains Los Canaleros, has 79 career caps for Panama with 12 international goals. Jones has six goals in 59 career appearances, including four in 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.
Lodeiro joins Uruguay for a pair of crucial fixtures in CONMEBOL Qualifying, beginning with a home clash against Brazil on Thursday, March 23 from Estadio Centenario in Montevideo at 4:00 p.m. PT. La Celeste then travel to face Peru on Tuesday, March 28 at Estadio Nacional in Lima, with kickoff slated for 7:15 p.m. PT. Uruguay currently sits in second place, with 23 points from 12 matches in CONMEBOL Qualifying, with six fixtures remaining. Lodeiro has 50 appearances and four goals in international play since making his debut in 2009.
Prior to leaving for international duty, all five Sounders FC players are set to be in action for this Sunday’s home-opener against the New York Red Bulls (4:00 p.m. PT / FS1, KIRO Radio 97.3 FM, El Rey 1360 AM). 2017 Season Ticket Memberships, including new seat options in the upper bowl, are still available by calling 877-MLS-GOAL or emailing Sales@SoundersFC.com. Single-match tickets recently went on sale and be purchased via the following link: SoundersFC.com/Tickets/Single-Match-Tickets. Seating for all games is subject to availability at time of purchase. Complete information on all Sounders FC ticket packages can be found at SoundersFC.com/Tickets.
