:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/photo_images/4084060/125478383.jpg)
UPDATE III: Alvaro Fernandez will not be called up to the Uruguay national team, after all. On Monday, Fernandez confirmed speculation that the injury he suffered in last week's Western Conference semifinal would make it impossible for him to play in his country's World Cup qualifier against Chile on Nov. 11 or in their friendly against Italy on Nov. 15.
UPDATE II: Sigi confirmed to Joshua Mayers that Alvaro Fernandez had, in fact, been called up for Uruguay's World Cup qualifier.
UPDATE: The Sounders said they have not yet been contacted by the Uruguay federation, but noted that those requests are often made through players' agents.
Alvaro Fernandez has been called up to the Uruguay national team for their Nov. 11 World Cup qualifier against Chile, according to a release on FIFA's website (h/t @chazz4444). Even assuming the report is accurate, Fernandez would not be in danger of missing any time with the Seattle Sounders as MLS has elected to take a break for the international window.
The Sounders midfielder has not made an appearance for Uguguay since the 2010 World Cup when he made one start and three appearances off the bench for the eventual semifinalists. This would be Fernandez's first call-up since joining the Sounders last year. Fernandez has 11 caps since first being called to duty in April 2009.
After a bit of a rocky start to his MLS career, Fernandez has come into his own this season. He was second on the team with nine goals in MLS action and added two goals and five assists in all other competitions. He has made 38 appearances, third most among non-goalkeepers, and 31 starts this season. His 2,556 all-competition minutes were the fifth most among outfield players.
Fernandez is listed as an attacker in the FIFA release, which suggests Uruguay may have a different role in mind for him than in the past. Fernandez has been used almost exclusively as a midfielder, but he has shown a scoring touch this year previously unseen throughout his career.