As the Lions take a break from league play before 2023 MLS Decision Day, we take a look at the Orlando City SC players called up to represent their respective national teams.
With six players representing five nations, there is a lot to keep up with across this international break window, including two first-time call-ups for Duncan McGuire (U.S. Olympic Team) and Abdi Salim (Somalia).
Facundo Torres and Uruguay look to return to the World Cup in 2026 as they currently sit fourth in CONMEBOL qualifying with two more matches. First in this window, they'll take on Colombia on the road, then play host to Brazil to finish the week.
Pedro Gallese, Wilder Cartagena and Peru are hoping to bounce back to the world stage after falling just short in 2022. They sit in the Inter-confederation playoffs spot at seventh in qualifying, and they'll play away at Chile and then host the reigning World Cup champion, Argentina.
Wilfredo Rivera and Puerto Rico jump back into Nations League B action with a double-header matchup against Guyana. Rivera’s Huracán Azul will want to replicate their two wins from last time out and put some distance between them and Guyana for promotion to League A.
McGuire has stormed onto the scene this year and earned a call-up to the USYNT U-23's (a.k.a. the U.S. Olympic Team), who have two friendlies out in the sweltering Phoenix heat as the young side looks to gold medal glory in Paris next summer.
Salim is taking his talents to Somalia as they prepare for two friendlies against Niger and Sierra Leone, with the first match days of World Cup Qualifying for the Confederation of African Football right around the corner in mid-November.
Schedule (All times in ET):
Facundo Torres | Uruguay | FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOL
- D, 2-2 | Thursday, Oct. 12, 4:30 p.m. | Colombia vs. Uruguay
- W, 2-0 | Tuesday, Oct 17, 8 p.m. | Uruguay vs. Brazil
Wilder Cartagena and Pedro Gallese | Peru | FIFA World Cup Qualifying - CONMEBOL
- L, 2-0 | Thursday, Oct. 12, 8 p.m. | Chile vs. Peru
- L 2-0 | Tuesday, Oct 17, 10 p.m. | Peru vs. Argentina
Duncan McGuire | U.S. Olympic Team | Friendlies
- W, 2-1 | Wednesday, Oct. 11, 10 p.m. | U.S. U23 vs. Mexico U23
- W, 4-1 | Tuesday, Oct 17, 10:30 p.m. | U.S. U23 vs. Japan U23
Abdi Salim | Somalia | Friendlies
- L, 3-0 | Saturday, Oct. 14, 11:30 a.m. | Niger vs. Somalia
- L, 2-0 | Tuesday, Oct 17, TBD | Somalia vs. Sierra Leone
Wilfredo Rivera | Puerto Rico | 2023-24 CONCACAF Nations League B
- L, 1-3 | Saturday, Oct. 14, 3:00 p.m. | Puerto Rico vs. Guyana
- L, 1-3 | Tuesday, Oct 17, 4:00 p.m. | Guyana vs. Puerto Rico
