International FIFA fixture call-ups for November 2020: Here are the MLS players participating

Rodolfo Pizarro - Mexico - thumbs up

Call-ups for the November international window are starting to roll in, and teams are learning which players will travel in the coming weeks for international duty. Players from across MLS will be representing their nations in World Cup qualifying, the UEFA Nations League and friendly matches.


So far, players from several North and South American national teams have been called in, with the latest being the Mexico duo of Rodolfo Pizarro (Inter Miami) and Jonathan dos Santos (LA Galaxy). They will join El Tri for friendlies in Austria against South Korea and Japan.


LAFC's Brian Rodriguez and Audi Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi have both been named to the final roster for Uruguay before facing Colombia and Brazil, two other top-10 ranked countries.   


The full list of player call-ups, as announced by clubs and national federations, which will be updated in the coming days, follows below by club and then by country (alphabetical order):


November int'l call-ups by MLS club


  • Atlanta United (0): --
  • Chicago Fire FC (4): Gaston Gimenez (Paraguay), Miguel Navarro (Venezuela), Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica), Micheal Azira (Uganda), 
  • FC Cincinnati (2): Kendall Waston (Costa Rica), Kamohelo Mokotjo (South Africa)
  • Colorado Rapids (1): Diego Rubio (Chile)
  • Columbus Crew SC (0): -- 
  • FC Dallas (0): --
  • D.C. United (3): Edison Flores (Peru), Oniel Fisher (Jamaica), Junior Moreno (Venezuela)
  • Houston Dynamo (4): Maynor Figueroa (Honduras), Boniek Garcia (Honduras), Ariel Lassiter (Costa Rica), Wilfried Zahibo (Central African Republic)
  • LAFC (4): Brian Rodriguez (Uruguay), Diego Rossi (Uruguay), Jose Cifuentes (Ecuador), Diego Palacios (Ecuador)
  • LA Galaxy (5): Rolf Feltscher (Venezuela), Sebastian Lletget (United States), Jonathan dos Santos (Mexico), Efrain Alvarez (Mexico U-20s), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Costa Rica), 
  • Inter Miami CF (2): Rodolfo Pizarro (Mexico), Alvas Powell (Jamaica)
  • Minnesota United FC (4): Robin Lod (Finland), Jan Gregus (Slovakia), Kei Kamara (Sierra Leone), Romain Metanire (Madagascar)
  • Montreal Impact (2): Jukka Raitala (Finland^), Victor Wanyama (Kenya)
  • Nashville SC (1): Anibal Godoy (Panama^), Randal Leal (Costa Rica)
  • New England Revolution (0): --
  • NYCFC (1): Alexander Callens (Peru)
  • NY Red Bulls (2): Cristian Casseres Jr. (Venezuela), Kaku (Paraguay)
  • Orlando City SC (2): Pedro Gallese (Peru), Sebastian Mendez (Ecuador)
  • Philadelphia Union (3): Jose "El Brujo" Martinez (Venezuela), Olivier Mbaizo (Cameroon), Jamiro Monteiro (Cape Verde) 
  • Portland Timbers (2): Andy Polo (Peru), Felipe Mora (Chile)
  • Real Salt Lake (2): Douglas Martinez (Honduras), Albert Rusnak (Slovakia)
  • San Jose Earthquakes (1): Marcos Lopez (Peru)
  • Seattle Sounders (3): Raul Ruidiaz (Peru), Xavier Arreaga (Ecuador), Gustav Svensson (Sweden)
  • Sporting Kansas City (0): --
  • Toronto FC (0): --
  • Vancouver Whitecaps (0): --


= preliminary roster, ^ = injury withdrawal

Cameroon


Matches: vs. Mozambique (Nov. 12, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying), at Mozambique (Nov. 16, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying)


Philadelphia's Olivier Mbaizo draws his second senior team call up for Cameroon as they head into games three and four of the qualification group stage of Africa Cup of Nations. The 23-year-old appeared in 14 games in 2020 this season for the Supporters' Shield winners, starting 12 of them and picking up a pair of assists in 1,057 minutes. Cameroon is slated for a pair of matches against Mozambique in group stage play.


Cape Verde


Matches: vs. Rwanda (Nov. 11, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying), at Rwanda (Nov. 17, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying)


Philadelphia have another player getting called in for Africa Cup of Nations action, as standout midfielder Jamiro Monteiro received the call for Cape Verde for their qualifying matches against Rwanda. Monteiro has earned seven caps for Cape Verde, six in Africa Cup of Nations qualification matches and one international friendly. 


Central African Republic


Matches: @ Morocco (Nov. 13, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying), vs. Morocco (Nov. 17, Africa Cup of Nations qualifying)


Houston midfielder Wilfried Zahibo is poised to represent the Central African Republic for two AFCON qualifiers against Morocco. Originally from France, he's twice represented Les Fauves since making his debut in November 2019.


Chile


Matches: vs. Peru (Nov. 13, WCQ), at Venezuela (Nov. 17, WCQ)


Forward Diego Rubio (Colorado Rapids) has received the call from Chile for their upcoming World Cup qualifying bouts with Peru and Venezuela. The 27-year-old had three goals and four assists across 1,039 minutes for the Rapids in 2020, helping Colorado to the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference for the 2020 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs.

Costa Rica


Matches: vs. Qatar (Nov. 12, Friendly in Austria), vs. Euskadi (Monday, Nov. 16 in Spain)


Former FC Cincinnati defender Kendall Waston (2021 option declined), Houston Dynamo forward Ariel Lassiter and Nasvhille SC Designated Player Randall Leal were called up to Costa Rica's roster as they plan to travel to Austria and play 2022 World Cup hosts Qatar. They'll then head to Spain to face Euskadi in a friendly at Estadio Municipal de IpurĆŗa in Eibar, Spain.


Chicago Fire FC have also announced that defender Francisco Calvo is among those who have been called up to Costa Rica for those upcoming friendlies, while the LA Galaxy also revealed that defender Giancarlo Gonzalez has been called into the squad.


Ecuador


Matches: @ Bolivia (Nov. 12, WCQ), vs. Colombia (Nov. 17, WCQ)


Ecuador has named four MLS players for their two upcoming Conmebol World Cup qualifiers: the LAFC duo of left back Diego Palacios and midfielder Jose Cifuentes, as well as Seattle center back Xavier Arreaga and Orlando midfielder Sebastian Mendez

Finland


Matches: @ France (Nov. 11, Friendly), @ Bulgaria (Nov. 15, Nations League), @ Wales (Nov. 18, Nations League)


Montreal defender Jukka Raitala and Minnesota midfielder Robin Lod will be part of Finland's squad as they look to secure a historic promotion to the UEFA Nations League A in a pair of tough away games against Bulgaria and Wales. The Finns sit one point behind Wales with two games remaining, meaning a win in each would be enough to to secure promotion. Raitala & Co. will prepare with a high-caliber friendly test against reigning world champions France.


The Finnish FA later announced that Raitala would be withdrawn from the squad due to injury.


Honduras


Matches: @ Guatemala (Nov. 15, Friendly)


Houston defender Maynor Figueroa and teammate Boniek Garcia were both called in by Honduras for a November friendly against fellow Concacaf side Guatemala. The veterans have earned a combined 287 caps for Honduras. On the other side of the experience scale, they will be joined by 23-year-old Real Salt Lake forward Douglas Martinez, who will be looking to earn his fourth cap.

Jamaica


Matches: @ Saudi Arabia (Nov. 14, Friendly), @ Saudi Arabia (Nov. 17, Friendly)


D.C. United's Oniel Fisher and Inter Miami CF's Alvas Powellcould feature for Reggae Boyz, who are currently scheduled for a pair of friendlies with host Saudi Arabia this month. Fisher has 14 career senior caps, while Powell has 49.


Kenya


Matches: vs. Comoros (Nov. 11, AFCON qualifier), @ Comoros (Nov. 15, AFCON qualifier)


Montreal Impact midfielder Victor Wanyama, captain of the Harambee Stars, is joining his home country for a home-and-away series against Comoros. Wanyama has scored seven goals in 56 games with Kenya.


Madagascar


Matches: @ Ivory Coast (Nov. 12, AFCON qualifier), vs. Ivory Coast (Nov. 17, AFCON qualifier)


Minnesota United right back Romain Metanire awaits a home-and-home series against the Ivory Coast in Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. He's earned 10 caps to date.


Mexico


Matches: vs. South Korea (Nov. 14, Friendly), vs. Japan (Nov. 17, Friendly)


The MLS duo of Jonathan Dos Santos and Rodolfo Pizarro will join up with El Tri for a pair of friendly matches against two of Asia's top national teams, at a neutral venue in Austria. Those two players also featured on the roster for ex-Atlanta United head coach Tata Martino in a pair of October friendlies, along with Alan Pulido, who was not called for the November window.


LA Galaxy 18-year-old sensation Efrain Alvarez also got the call from Mexico's U-20s for their upcoming training camp at the Centro de Alto Rendimiento (CAR) that will conclude on Nov. 15.

Panama


Matches: vs. Japan (Nov. 13, Friendly), vs. United States (Nov. 16, Friendly)


Nashville SC's Anibal Godoy was among Panama's call-ups for their November friendlies, but the midfielder won't travel after sustaining a hamstring injury. Instead, he'll remain stateside to rehab before their MLS Cup Playoffs debut.

Paraguay


Matches: @ Argentina (Nov. 12, WCQ), vs. Bolivia (Nov. 17, WCQ)


Midfielders Gaston Gimenez (Chicago Fire FC) and Kaku (NY Red Bulls) are set to join Paraguay for matches at Argentina and home for Bolivia after Paraguay drew Peru and defeated Venezuela in the first two matchdays of qualification. 

Peru


Matches: @ Chile (Nov. 13, WCQ), vs. Argentina (Nov. 17, WCQ)


Six of MLS's Peruvian internationals will be joining the team: Pedro Gallese (Orlando City SC), Raul Ruidiaz (Seattle Sounders), Andy Polo (Portland Timbers) and Marcos Lopez (San Jose Earthquakes). Alexander Callens (NYCFC) and Edison Flores (D.C. United) have also been named to the roster for the upcoming qualifiers after sitting out their matches in October. 

Sierra Leone


Matches: @ Nigeria (Nov. 13, AFCON qualifier), vs. Nigeria (Nov. 17, AFCON qualifier)


Minnesota United striker Kei Kamara is part of Sierra Leone's roster for upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Nigeria. Kamara has four goals in 27 matches for the Leone Stars.


Slovakia


Matches: @ Northern Ireland (Nov. 12, Euro qualifier) vs. Scotland (Nov. 15, Nations League), @ Czech Republic (Nov. 18, Nations League)


Minnessota midfielder Jan Gregus and Real Salt Lake playmaker Albert Rusnak are poised to join Slovakia, as the European nation prepares for three crucial games, none more so than their Euro 2020 play-in game at Northern Ireland to start things off.


South Africa


Matches: vs. SĆ£o TomĆ© and PrĆ­ncipe (Nov. 13, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers), at SĆ£o TomĆ© and PrĆ­ncipe (Nov. 16, Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers)


FC Cincinnati's Kamohelo Mokotjo will represent his country in a pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in November. The d-mid has featured in nine games with Cincy since he was signed in August, and has earned 22 caps with Bafana Bafana.


Sweden


Matches: @ Denmark (Nov. 11, Friendly), vs. Croatia (Nov. 14, Nations League), @ France (Nov. 17, Nations League)


Seattle Sounders midfielder Gustav Svensson remains a key part of Sweden's national team set-up, particularly ahead of a crucial Nations League swing against Croatia and France, finalists at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Heading into a friendly against Denmark, he's earned 29 caps. 


Uganda


Matches: vs. South Sudan (Nov. 12, Africa Cup of Nations qualification), at South Sudan (Nov. 16, Africa Cup of Nations qualification)


Chicago Fire FC midfielder Micheal Azira has received the call for Uganda's Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches, where they're slated for a pair of matchups with South Sudan. Azira, a longtime MLS veteran, will hope to add to his current total of 10 career senior caps for his country.


United States


Matches: @ Wales (Nov. 12, Friendly), vs. Panama (Nov. 16, Friendly)


With the LA Galaxy not qualifying for the Audi 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, midfielder Sebastian Lletget was the only MLS player called into the US men's national team's November camp. His addition also came after forward Josh Sargent wasn't able to travel due to COVID-19 protocols.

Uruguay


Matches: @ Colombia (Nov. 13, WCQ), vs. Brazil (Nov. 17, WCQ)


LAFC's Brian Rodriguez was called up by Uruguay manager Oscar Washington Tabarez and Audi Golden Boot winner Diego Rossi is also on the roster after making it as injury replacement for his country's qualifying matches last month. They have both been named to the final roster.

Venezuela


Matches: @ Brazil (Nov. 13, WCQ), vs. Chile (Nov. 17, WCQ)


There could be plenty of MLS representation for Venezuela's upcoming qualifiers, as manager Jose Peseiro has called six to his preliminary rosterMiguel Navarro (Chicago Fire), Cristian Casseres (NY Red Bulls, Rolf Feltscher (LA Galaxy), Junior Moreno (D.C. United), Jose "El Brujo" Martinez (Philadelphia Union) and Renzo Zambrano (Portland Timbers).