A look at MLSers in international action around the world on Tuesday:
ASIA
Australia 4, Jordan 0: New York Red Bulls star Tim Cahill led the way for Australia in their home victory over Jordan in early action on Tuesday, logging a full 90 minutes and scoring the second goal of a 4-0 rout at the Docklands Stadium in Melbourne.
The victory moves the Socceroos one step closer to securing one of the AFC's four automatic qualification spots for Brazil 2014.
CONCACAF
Besides the many important MLS-based US national teamers in action against Panama in Seattle, Tuesday's CONCACAF Hexagonal World Cup qualifying action will feature a range of league standouts.
Mexico 0, Costa Rica 0: Roy Miller, fresh off of scoring the a vital winner for the Ticos against Honduras, did not feature in the Estadio Azteca, but Costa Rica nearly repeated their 2001 qualifying heroics in the Azteca, leaving with a 0-0 draw to once more frustrate the Mexicans, who have played 270 qualifying minutes at home without finding the back of the net.
In fact, Real Salt Lake forward Álvaro Saborío was the only MLS-based Costa Rican to feature on Tuesday night, coming on as an 86th-minute substitute for Joel Campbell, who saw his chance hit the post in the first half. Rodney Wallace (Portland Timbers) and Jairo Arrieta (Columbus Crew) remained on the bench for the Central Americans.
Former Chivas USA defender Michael Umaña, however, put in a heroic performance in back, making a number of key stops.
Honduras 2, Jamaica 0: It was a fine evening for current and former MLSers in Tegucigalpa, as the Catrachos cruised past the Reggae Boyz with Houston Dynamo midfielder Boniek García finding the back of the net, set up by former Sporting KC man Roger Espinoza.
It wasn't all smiles for García and Honduras, though, as Honduran outlet Diez reported that he left the game in the 29th minute with "muscle problems," and was replaced by San Jose's Marvin Chávez, who was one of Honduras' main offensive threats from there on out. Garcia's status for Honduras' June 18 trip to the US is not yet known.
Chavez's Earthquakes teammate Víctor Bernárdez also featured, going the full 90 in the back for Honduras, but picked up a caution, meaning he will certainly miss the trip to Salt Lake City due to yellow-card accumulation. The Seattle Sounders' Mario Martínez also started, going 74 minutes, though Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution) and MLS alum Andy Najar did not see the field.
On the Jamaican side, the two Timbers players got the start, with Donovan Ricketts in goal and Ryan Johnson up top. Johnson was replaced on the hour mark by the Vancouver Whitecaps' Darren Mattocks, while Dallas' Je-Vaughn Watson, another starter, was substituted a minute later.
Haiti 2, Italy 2 (right): Sporting Kansas City's Mechack Jerome (82nd minute) and Peterson Joseph (62nd minute) both came off the bench during a memorable 2-2 friendly tie against Italy in Rio de Janeiro's Estadio São Januário. Italy were up 2-0 in this Confederations Cup warm-up only to see Haiti come back with a late penalty kick and a stoppage-time equalizer by ex-MLSer Jean-Philippe Peguero. Joseph was also carded in the 86th minute.
COMPLETE CONCACAF HEXAGONAL STANDINGS
EUROPE
Spain 2, Republic of Ireland 0: LA Galaxy hitman Robbie Keane netted a hat trick for the Republic of Ireland in Friday's UEFA qualifying win over the Faroe Islands, but found no such luck in a friendly against the defending world and European champions. Keane left the game in the 57th minute with the score knotted at 0-0, but late goals from Juan Mata and Roberto Soldado doomed the Boys in Green.
Estonia 1, Kyrgyzstan 1: Chicago Fire midfielder Joel Lindpere went the full 90 as his Estonia side could not do better than a 1-1 home tie against Kyrgyzstan in a friendly played in Tallinn. The Estonians went up 1-0 and conceded an equalizer in the 67th minute. It was the third preparation match for Lindpere & Co. as they get set for the next phase of Group D qualifiers this fall.
SOUTH AMERICA
Colombia 2, Peru 0: Raúl Fernández started once again in net for Peru as they attempted to score an upset in Colombia, but were set back early on as the home side went ahead from the penalty spot, with Falcao giving the FC Dallas man little chance. Colombia added one more on the stroke of halftime, and the game was done and dusted after Peru went down to 10 men with 20 minutes left.
