three from the idle Kansas City Wizards (Eddie Johnson, Davy Arnaud and Kerry Zavagnin) as well as the LA Galaxy's Landon Donovan and Real Salt Lake goalkeeper Chris Seitz -- they are not the only players in the league with international duty this weekend.
Toronto FC's Carl Robinson is with the Wales national team for their two Euro 2008 qualifiers against Germany (Sept. 9) and Slovakia (Sept. 12). RSL will also be without Atiba Harris, who has joined the St. Kitts and Nevis under-23 team for its Olympic qualifying tournament, and Willis Forko, who is in Liberia's squad for their African Nations Cup qualifier against Rwanda on Saturday. And when Canada takes on Costa Rica in Toronto on Wed., Sept. 12, there will be MLS players on both sides of the ball. Costa Rica's team features Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares, while Canada's team includes seven MLS players from four different teams: Dwayne De Rosario (Houston Dynamo), Adrian Serioux (FC Dallas), Ante Jazic and Kevin Harmse (LA Galaxy) and Kenny Stamatopoulos, Jim Brennan and Chris Pozniak from host Toronto FC. Segares is with Costa Rica this weekend, as they first take on Honduras in E. Hartford, Conn.
FIFA U-17 World Cup Final set: Spain and Nigeria will meet in the U-17 World Cup final Sunday in South Korea. Spain advanced ahead of Ghana in the first semifinal Wednesday, getting a goal in extra time to reach the championship game with a 2-1 victory. The Africans surprisingly ran through Germany 3-1 in the second semifinal on Thursday, using two early goals and one in the final minute to send the Germans packing.
Mexican Apertura rolls on: Week 7 in Mexico's fall season features a couple of exciting fixtures, including a top-of-the-table clash. Group 1 leaders and SuperLiga champions Pachuca will take on Group 3 leaders Cruz Azul on the road Saturday. CD Guadalajara will also face off with San Luis, while Sunday's action is highlighted by a Group B meeting between America and leaders Santos.
Women's World Cup kicks off Monday: The FIFA Women's World Cup in China will get underway on Monday when Germany and Argentina face off in Shanghai. The U.S. opens its championship bid the following day against North Korea. The USA will also face Sweden and Nigeria in Group B action. The Women's World Cup Final is scheduled for Sept. 30.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
