MLS Matchday 19 will feature fascinating starting eleven rosters as coaches handle the annual summer international competition window. Over 100 MLS players were recalled by countries all across the globe for a variety of friendlies, World Cup qualifiers, and other fixtures that make up the international football schedule.
Most MLS clubs will have their depth tested over the next few weeks as international stars head home. However, the American soccer schedule rolls forward into the summer schedule.
MLS Matchday 19 Has a Limited Number of Games
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MLS Matchday 19 features six games in a bit of a reduced weekend schedule. CONCACAF Champions Cup runner-up Columbus Crew will look to rebound against a struggling New York City FC, while D.C. United looks for their fifth straight positive home result hosting Real Salt Lake.
The reigning MLS Cup and defending Supports’ Shield winner, LAFC, looks to find their lost scoring touch against surging Sporting KC. Neighbor St. Louis City SC looks to improve upon their 3-3 draw against Inter Miami last weekend with a positive fixture as Nashville SC visits town.
Finally, Portland will look for their first back-to-back wins in 2024 with San Jose arriving for a Saturday night showdown.
Inter Miami Loses Messi, Minnesota Down Nine Players
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Inter Miami will not have access to the services of the sensational Lionel Messi for the next several weeks as he joins midfielders Matias Rojas and David Ruiz on the international scene. Messi is currently training with Team Argentina in South Florida ahead of the 2024 Copa America Tournament.
Minnesota United FC will have to navigate MLS Matchday 19 without NINE of their players, most of which will also be appearing at Copa America. Five forwards, two middies, one defender, and a goalie will all be unavailable for Minnesota as they battle to maintain their 3rd place Western Conference position.
According to information from MLS, Sporting Kansas City is the lone club unimpacted by the summer international schedule in 2024.
USMNT at Copa America 2024 Could Feature MLS-Heavy Backline
Several of the MLS stars will not have to travel very far for international duty as the United States of America hosts the 2024 Copa America tournament in two weeks. Five other teams will join the United States as representatives from CONCACAF. The CONMEBOL federation contributes 10 teams to finalize the 16-team North American tournament.
Several defensive MLS stalwarts will be available for selection for the USMNT between Toronto FC goalie Sean Johnson, Nashville SC defender Shaq Moore, and FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson. LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman also appears on America’s roster.
Team USA is group Group C alongside Uruguay, Panama, and Bolivia. America’s first game will be on June 27, 2024, against Panama at the home of Atlanta United, Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georiga. If the USMNT wins the group stage, they will play the Winner of Group D. Potential opponents from that Group are Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, or Costa Rica.
The finals of the 2024 Copa America tournament will be played at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida on July 14, 2024.
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Christopher Babos is a genuine sports & entertainment journalist with diverse credentials in writing, broadcasting, and digital media. He can be located on X for real-time takes (@CBabosWrites). With various roles in the sports industry over two decades, Chris can speak with authority on the topics he covers.
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