Eleven Sounders FC players called into international duty

SEATTLE, WASH. – Following Sunday’s historic 3-1 win over Toronto FC in the 2019 MLS Cup final, 11 Sounders FC players were called into international duty: Jordan Morris (United States), Cristian Roldan (United States), Román Torres (Panama), Jordy Delem (Martinique), Joevin Jones (Trinidad & Tobago), Kelvin Leerdam (Suriname), Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), Raúl Ruidíaz (Peru), Gustav Svensson (Sweden), Nouhou (Cameroon U-23) and Brad Smith (Australia).

Morris and Roldan were named to Head Coach Gregg Berhalter’s 23-man roster for a pair of Concacaf Nations League matches against Canada on November 15 in Orlando (4:00 p.m. PT / ESPN2, UniMas, TUDN) and Cuba on November 19 in George Town, Cayman Islands (4:30 p.m. PT / FS1, UniMas, TUDN). In order to qualify for the knockout round of the inaugural 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League, the USMNT must win both of its matches this month and make up a three-goal differential on current Group A leaders Canada.

Torres joins Panama for a Concacaf Nations League match against Mexico on November 15 in Panama City before hosting Bolivia in a friendly on November 19. Panama is currently tied with Bermuda with three points (1-0-2) in Group B action, trailing Mexico’s six (2-0-0).

Delem and Jones continue Group C action in the Concacaf Nations League for Martinique and Trindad & Tobago, respectively, with both teams set to face first-place Honduras this week. Martinique first hosts Honduras in Fort-de-France on November 14 before Trinidad & Tobago travels to San Pedro Sula on November 17. Prior to traveling to Honduras, Jones and The Soca Warriors travel to face Arrreaga and Ecuador in a friendly in Portoviejo on November 14.

Leerdam is set to join Suriname for the first time this week for a pair of Group Stage matches in the Concacaf Nations League B. Suriname first hosts Dominica on November 15 before traveling to face Nicaragua on November 18. This marks Leerdam’s first callup to Suriname, as he had previously made 22 appearances for the Netherlands U-19 and U-21 squads from 2009-2013.

Arreaga has once again been called into Ecuador for a pair of friendlies this week, beginning with the aforementioned home matchup against Jones and Trinidad & Tobago on November 14. Ecuador then faces off with Colombia on November 19 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey.

Ruidíaz joins Peru, who also has a U.S.-based friendly with Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami on November 14. They then travel home to host a friendly with Chile in Lima on November 19.

Svensson has been called into Sweden for two UEFA Euro 2020 Qualifying matches, beginning with a matchup with Romania in Bucharest on November 15. Sweden then travels home for the final match of Group F action vs. Faroe Islands in Solna on November 18. Sweden is currently second in Group F with 15 points (4-1-3), five points shy of first-place Spain and one point ahead of Romania, with the top two teams guaranteed qualification for the 2020 European Championships.

Nouhou joins the Cameroon U-23 squad at the Africa U-23 Cup of Nations for the final Group Stage match on November 14 against Egypt. Cameroon currently sits in second in Group A with four points (1-0-1) after defeating Mali and drawing with Ghana, two points behind Egypt. A win or draw on Thursday would secure qualification to the Knockout Round held later this month.

Smith has been called into Australia for a 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifier, as the Socceroos continue through the Group Stage in AFC Qualifying. Australia travels to Amman to face Jordan on November 14, looking to build its lead in Group B after winning each of its first three matches. 

Sounders FC won the 2019 MLS Cup on Sunday afternoon with a 3-1 victory over Toronto FC at CenturyLink Field. Kelvin Leerdam, Víctor Rodríguez and Raúl Ruidíaz all scored for Seattle as the Rave Green captured its second championship in four seasons. Seattle previously won the 2016 title before falling in 2017, both against Toronto at BMO Field. Sunday’s crowd of 69,274 provided the largest standalone attendance for a sporting event in the history of CenturyLink Field, surpassing the Seattle Seahawks' previous record of 69,190 on November 20, 2016 against the Philadelphia Eagles. Additionally, the crowd is also the largest for a soccer match in the history of Washington state.