As the October international window winds down, five UEFA Nations League games could feature MLS interest on Wednesday. The full rundown of MLS connections can be found below.
UEFA Nations League A
Portugal vs. Sweden, 2:45 pm EST
Sweden continued Group 3 play with a matchup against group leaders Portugal. Seattle Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson wasn’t available for selection in Sunday’s 2-1 defeat against Croatia, due to a red card suspension, but he was for this contest. He didn't work his way onto the field, however, as Sweden would fall 3-0 and remain wineless in their group.
While on international duty, Svensson has started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 friendly win over Russia.
UEFA Nations League B
Romania vs. Austria, 2:45 pm EST
Now loaned from NYCFC to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ahli, forward Alexandru Mitrita featured in Romania’s 1-0 Group 1 defeat to Austria after coming off the bench last weekend in a 4-0 defeat against Norway. Mitrita started and played 77 minutes before subbing off.
The Romanian forward has now made 13 international appearances, scoring twice in European Qualifiers during October 2019. Romania remain in third place in Group 1, while Austria are in a first-place tie with Norway on nine points.
Slovakia vs. Israel, 2:45 pm EST
The MLS connections are two DP midfielders: Real Salt Lake playmaker Albert Rusnak and Minnesota United metronome Jan Gregus. Rusnak started and played all 90 minutes for Slovakia in their 3-2 defeat to Israel, while Gregus came on in the 71st minute and finished out the contest. They’re currently bottom of Group 2 coming off Wednesday's loss.
Gregus went the full 90 minutes in Slovakia's 1-0 defeat to Scotland on Sunday, while Rusnak came off the bench in the 76th minute. They’re both approaching 30 caps for Slovakia.
Finland vs. Ireland, 12 pm EST
This Group 4 showdown saw Montreal Impact defender Jukka Raitala get in on the action, subbing on in the 86th minute to help close out Finland's 1-0 victory. The result moved them to second place in Group 4 with nine points, one point shy of first-place Wales.
As for Montreal teammate Lassi Lappalainen, he didn’t depart for international duty because of a shoulder injury.
UEFA Nations League C
North Macedonia vs. Georgia, 2:45 pm ET
Two San Jose Earthquakes teammates and Georgia internationals, midfielder Vako and center back Guram Kashia, find themselves tied atop Group 2 with six points after a 1-1 draw with North Macedonia.
Vako started and played 90 minutes before subbing out in second-half stoppage time, while Kashia didn't make the matchday squad.
Last time out, Vako went the full 90 minutes in a 2-2 draw against Armenia. Kashia has 80 international caps, while Vako now has 50 (and 10 goals).
