Sounders around the world, how international duty is going

The Sounders saw 10 players leave for international duty and while most have yet to play a meaningful game — Copa America and the Concacaf Gold Cup do not start for a few days — they have played in friendlies. Raul Ruidiaz and Nicolas Lodeiro have had the best preparation performances for their cup tournaments.

Xaiver Arreaga: The centerback missed Ecuador’s first friendly to play in the FC Dallas match. Ecuador’s second and final friendly prior to Copa America was against Mexico and Arreaga did not feature in the 3-2 loss. Ecuador opens their Copa America group stage with Uruguay on June 16.

Raul Ruidiaz: Peru has played two matches with Ruidiaz featuring in both. Peru beat Costa Rica 1-0 in their first friendly with Ruidiaz going 90 and assisting on the only goal. Ruidiaz was part of multiple good chances, either with the shot or final pass. On the goal, he slid out right to get a through ball, played Christian Cueva in behind, who beat a couple defenders and scored. Peru played Colombia in their second match and Ruidiaz subbed on in the 62nd with his side down a goal and a man. Yoshimar Yotun was sent off in the 55th. Peru opens their Copa America group stage on June 15 against Venezuela.

Roman Torres: After playing with the Sounders against FC Dallas, Torres missed Panama’s match against Colombia. He returned to play 90 against Nico Lodeiro’s Uruguay side. Torres came out worse, losing 3-0. Tougher for Torres was being part the first of the three goals. Uruguay’s first goal was a great cross to Maxi Gomez, who slipped off Torres’ back shoulder and finished a clean header. Panama opens Gold Cup play against Trinidad & Tobago on June 18.

Nicolas Lodeiro: Nico was able to report early to Uruguay after being suspended for the FC Dallas match on yellow-card accumulation. Uruguay only played one friendly and Lodeiro started and played 64 minutes. The cross that beat Roman Torres unfortunately was sent in from the right side, Nico’s preferred side in Seattle, but Uruguay had him playing mainly out left. Lodeiro gave way in the 64th to Edinson Cavani. Uruguay starts group play in Copa America against Ecuador on June 16.

Cristian Roldan: The USMNT has produced two poor performances with Cristian Roldan playing part in both of them. In a 1-0 loss to Jamaica, Roldan started and played 66. In that match, Gregg Berhalter experimented with five defenders among other tactical adjustments. The offense was lacking and the team looked out of sorts. Roldan followed up by playing all 90 in the 3-0 loss against Venezuela. The USA switched to a 4-1-4-1 but looked completely lost, again. Roldan has some good moments going forward, and probably should have scored his first international goal late, but had his header blocked by teammate Jordan Morris. Hopefully, for Roldan, he continues to get selections and Berhalter figures out his tactics with Christian Pulisic and co. joining the team. USMNT opens group play against Guyana on June 18.

Jordan Morris: Morris did not feature in the loss against Jamaica. He did sub on in the Colombia match with the USMNT already down 3-0 from a poor first half. He flanked Jozy Altidore, who sparked the offense in the second half. Morris had a strong left-footed effort that went just wide. USMNT opens group play against Guyana on June 18.

Gustav Svensson: Goose did not feature in either of Sweden’s matches. Sweden beat Malta 3-0 in their first EURO 2020 Qualifier match and lost to Spain 3-0 in their second match. Their next matchday set is Sept. 5 and 8 against the Faroe Islands and Norway. After four matches, Sweden is outside of qualifying position in third, tied with Romania with seven points each but behind Romania on goal differential. Romania sits in second with their +7 GD while Sweden on has a +1.

Brad Smith: Australia fell 1-0 in their friendly against South Korea in their only match of the international break. Smith came on as a 77th minute sub as a straight swap for starting left back, Aziz Behich. Smith subbed on the minute after Korea grabbed their game winner.

Joevin Jones: Trinidad & Tobago played their only friendlies before Joevin reported from the Sounders. Trinidad & Tobago open the group stage of the Gold Cup against Panama on June 18.

Jordy Delem: Martinique played no friendlies in the lead-up to the Gold Cup, and Delem stayed with the Sounders through the Montreal match. Martinique opens up their Gold Cup group stage against Canada on June 15.