Four Sounders FC players called into international duty

SEATTLE, WASH. - Sounders FC today announced that four players have been called into national team duty for the upcoming international break. Raúl Ruidíaz (Peru), Gustav Svensson (Sweden), Nicolás Lodeiro (Uruguay) and Jordy Delem (Martinique) are all set to represent their respective nations during the upcoming FIFA window.

Ruidíaz joins Peru for a pair of U.S.-based friendlies, beginning with a match against Chile on Friday, October 12 in Miami before facing the U.S. Men's National Team on Tuesday, October 16 in Hartford, Connecticut. Kickoff for the match against the USMNT is set for 4:30 p.m. PT from Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, with a national broadcast on ESPN2, UniMás and Univision Deportes Network. This marks Ruidíaz's second international callup since the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, where he made two substitute appearances. In all, the striker has 32 career caps and four goals for the Peruvian National Team, most recently starting in a 2-1 loss to Germany on September 9.

Svensson also receives his second international callup since this summer's FIFA World Cup, where he made three appearances as Sweden advanced to the Quarterfinal Round. Svensson, who has 15 career caps after starting last month's friendly against Austria, joins Blågult for a UEFA Nations League match against Russia on Thursday, October 11.

Lodeiro joins Uruguay for a pair of Asia-based friendlies, beginning on Friday, October 12 against South Korea in Seoul before then traveling to Tokyo for matchup with Japan on Tuesday, October 16. Lodeiro has 58 caps and four goals in his international career, and most recently made a substitute appearance in a 4-1 win over Mexico on September 7.

Delem joins Martinique for a pair of CONCACAF Nations League qualifying matches, beginning with a clash against Puerto Rico on October 13. Martinique then faces the British Virgin Islands on October 16 in a makeup game from last month, after the first Nations League match was cancelled due to weather. Delem has 36 career caps and five goals for Martinique. The CONCACAF Nations League serves as a form of qualification for the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

After Monday's match vs. Houston (7:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) and the international break, Sounders FC has just three matches remaining in the 2018 MLS regular-season campaign. The club embarks on a two-match road trip beginning on Wednesday, October 17 at Orlando City SC (4:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Brian Schmetzer's side then heads to Houston for another matchup against the Dynamo on Sunday, October 21 at BBVA Compass Stadium (2:00 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, Univision-Seattle, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM) before hosting the San Jose Earthquakes in a Decision Day matchup on Sunday, October 28 on the Xbox Pitch at CenturyLink Field (1:30 p.m. PT / JOEtv, YouTube TV, 950 KJR AM, El Rey 1360 AM). Sounders FC currently sits in fifth place in the Western Conference with 47 points (14-11-5), where only one team has clinched a postseason spot and just six points separate third place (Los Angeles FC) and seventh place (LA Galaxy).