Gustav Svensson, Nicolas Lodeiro called into national teams

Nicolás Lodeiro and Gustav Svensson are the latest players to be called into their respective national teams for the upcoming international window. Lodeiro was named as one of the 23 players who will represent Uruguay at the China Cup, while Svensson is one of 24 players selected for a pair of Euro 2020 qualifiers. No other MLS players are on either country’s roster.

Combined with Cristian Roldan, Jordan Morris and Jordy Delem, the Sounders will have five players away during the break.

Although Lodeiro has been named to several national team rosters since he failed to make the cut for the 2018 World Cup last summer, his only appearance since then was in a friendly last September and his place in Oscar Tabarez’s squad seems tenuous despite outstanding form with the Sounders.

Svensson, on the other hand, has been a fixture with Sweden since Janne Andersson took over in June 2016. The 32-year-old midfielder has made 14 appearances — all after joining the Sounders — under Andersson, after making just six under previous coaches.

When asked to explain why he’s enjoyed such a national team resurgence at a relatively advanced age, Svensson offered some his trademark wit.

“The only thing that crossed my mind is that when we changed coaches you always think he’ll want to bring in younger guys,” he said. “Maybe he thought I was young, didn’t know my age.”