Just because the Seattle Sounders are off this weekend doesn't mean they're not busy. Six Seattle Sounders were called up to represent their respective countries in upcoming 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifying, with international dates falling on Sept. 2 and 6 on two continents for the Sounders players involved.
As Jordan Morris (United States), Nicolas Lodeiro (Uruguay), Roman Torres (Panama), Joevin Jones (Trinidad and Tobago), and Oalex Anderson and Myron Samuel (St. Vincent and the Grenadines) prepare to compete on Friday, Sept. 2, here’s a breakdown of all you need to know about each match.
United States at St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Local kickoff: 12:30 p.m. PT
TV: beIN SPORTS
Sounders players: Morris (U.S.); Anderson, Samuel (STV)
The USMNT currently sits in second place in CONCACAF Group C, three points behind leaders Trinidad and Tobago, with a shot at reaching the Hexagonal on the line. Morris joins forwards Jozy Altidore, Rubio Rubin, Chris Wondolowski and Bobby Wood up front and will look to earn his 10th cap after being left off the squad for Copa America.
“Obviously it’s a huge honor [getting called up],” Morris said Sunday. “Whenever you get called in to represent your country, it’s amazing.”
St. Vincent sits in last place in Group C, having lost each of its previous four matches. Samuel and Anderson have been mainstays for the Vincy Heat the last few years. Samuel has 19 goals in 50 career caps, while Anderson has 10 goals from 22 caps, including a goal against the USMNT late last year.
Trinidad and Tobago vs. Guatemala
Local kickoff: 4 p.m. PT
Sounders players: Jones (T&T)
In the other CONCACAF Group C match on Friday, Trinidad and Tobago will try and extend its lead and qualify for the Hexagonal. Jones has been a regular for T&T since 2010 and has four goals in 53 caps. He will try and lead the Soca Warriors past a Guatemala side in third place in the group with six points from four matches.
Uruguay at Argentina
Local kickoff: 4:30 p.m. PT
TV: beIN SPORTS
Sounders players: Lodeiro (URU)
In one of the marquee matchups of CONMEBOL qualifying, Lodeiro and first-place Uruguay take on Argentina at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza. Lodeiro has three goals in 48 caps and has represented La Celeste at the 2010 and ’14 World Cups. Argentina, the world’s No. 1-ranked team, is in third place with 11 points from six matches.
Panama vs. Jamaica
Local kickoff: 6:30 p.m. PT
Sounders players: Torres (PAN)
The big storyline is the return of defender Torres, the captain and imposing presence on the back line of Los Canaleros. He made his club return with the Sounders on Sunday, coming on at halftime in Seattle’s 4-2 loss to the Portland Timbers. Panama sits in second place of CONCACAF’s Group B with seven points, while The Reggae Boyz are in third with four points.
