Confederations Cup playoff date spares Sounders

The Sounders were able to catch one break this week. Even though the United States will have to play a playoff game for a spot in the Confederations Cup after crashing out of the Gold Cup, that game will at least happen during a Sounders bye week. CONCACAF has scheduled the match for October 9th and for the first time in possibly decade, not really that long, the Sounders will not be playing that weekend. The Sounders have games as bookends on the 4th and 18th of October but none the weekend of the playoff match. Clint Dempsey and Brad Evans can go save America, again, and send us to the 2017 Confederations Cup without worrying about the Sounders dropping points that weekend.

Unfortunately for every step forward, the Sounders are taking one back. The USMNT has also announced a September 8th friendly against Brazil. The midweek friendly will hurt the Sounders, with a home match against Toronto on the 5th and at San Jose on the 12th. Before we start cursing US Soccer, the Sounders were already likely to lose players for a September 4th friendly against Peru in DC, which should not impact the August 30th match against Portland.

#USMNT to host Brazil presented by @LibertyMutual, on Sept 8 in Foxborough http://t.co/WlMbFEM4EG pic.twitter.com/ZMCfL9lJK1

— U.S. Soccer (@ussoccer) July 23, 2015

Other US National Team games to note-

The 3rd place Gold Cup game is this Saturday against Panama. While it would be unexpected and one of the best surprises ever, do not expect MLS players to be returned before the game against Montreal. Jurgen if you are reading this, please send Clint and Brad back.

Olympic Qualifying for the US U23s is coming fast and they'll suit up for friendlies against England and Qatar on the 3rd and 8th of September respectively. There is potential for the Sounders to lose players for this one, though until Jordan Morris signs it is less likely we lose an impact player.