Another round of FIFA international dates for September means plenty of MLS clubs — contenders or not — will have to do more with less as they enter the cavalry charge toward the playoffs.
As per usual, New York City FC will be without the services of Ronald Matarrita: his most recent Costa Rica call-up means he’ll be in Haiti when his club takes on DC United next Thursday evening in the Bronx.
Five days later, on Septmeber 6th, the Ticos have a home date against Panama. It has not yet been determined whether the quick turnaround will affect Matarrita’s status for NYCFC’s September 10th away date against New England.
In Saturday’s 1-0 win against L.A. Galaxy, Matarrita made his long-awaited return to Patrick Vieira’s Starting XI, playing a key role in setting up David Villa’s winning goal. It was his first start in nearly six weeks. For his troubles, he was named to his fourth MLS Team of the Week for 2016.
MLS PLAYERS RECEIVING SEPTEMBER CALL-UPS
CANADA: Tesho Akindele (FC Dallas), Maxime Crepeau (Montreal Impact), Marcel De Jong(Vancouver Whitecaps), David Edgar (Vancouver Whitecaps), Cyle Larin (Orlando City), Tosaint Ricketts (Toronto FC)
COSTA RICA: Christian Bolanos (Vancouver Whitecaps), Ronald Matarrita (New York City FC), Johan Venegas (Montreal Impact), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps)
HONDURAS: Roger Espinoza (Sporting Kansas City), Maynor Figueroa (FC Dallas), Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo)
IRELAND: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
JAMAICA: Giles Barnes (Vancouver Whitecaps), Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union), Simon Dawkins (San Jose Earthquakes), Shaun Francis (San Jose Earthquakes), Omar Holness(Real Salt Lake), Kemar Lawrence (New York Red Bulls), Alvas Powell (Portland Timbers), Jermaine Taylor (Portland Timbers), Je-Vaughn Watson (New England Revolution)
PANAMA: Anibal Godoy (San Jose Earthquakes), Blas Perez (Vancouver Whtiecaps), Alberto Quintero (San Jose Earthquakes), Roman Torres (Seattle Sounders)
TRINIDAD & TOBAGO: Cordell Cato (San Jose Earthquakes), Aubrey David (FC Dallas), Joevin Jones (Seattle Sounders), Kenwyne Jones (Atlanta United FC), Kevin Molino (Orlando City SC), Mekeil Williams (Colorado Rapids)
URUGUAY: Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)
