CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers: several MLS players feature on matchday one
The World Cup qualifiers have started in South America and a total of 16 players from Major League Soccer were called up to their respective national teams.
Major League Soccer had a strong influence on matchday one of CONMEBOL's World Cup qualifiers and a total of 16 players were called up to their respective national teams. Not all of them played but here are the ones that saw some minutes on the road to Qatar 2022.
Peru
It was not easy but Peru managed to get a draw (2-2) against Paraguay in their visit to Defensores del Chaco stadium. In this match Pedro Gallese from Orlando City and Raúl Ruidiaz were in the starting lineup for the visiting team, while Andy Polo from Portland Timbers and Marcos López from San Jose Earthquakes came on as substitutes during the second half.
Uruguay
For the beginning of the World Cup qualifiers in CONMEBOL, Uruguay’s coach, Óscar Tabárez, called up LAFC’s strikers Brian Rodríguez and Diego Rossi. This is good news for MLS that their players are being called up to the national team.
Rodríguez started the game and was subbed out in the second half, while Rossi saw the game from the bench. At the end of the 90 minutes Uruguay defeated Chile 2-1 and they will visit Ecuador on matchday two of 18.
Venezuela
They were visiting Colombia in the start of the World Cup qualifiers and they ended up losing 3-0. Venezuela included Rolf Feltscher from LA Galaxy and Cristián Cásseres Jr from NY Red Bulls in their roster and they both came on in the second half.
Ecuador
It was a tough beginning for Ecuador on their road to Qatar 2022. They visited Argentina and with a single goal from Lionel Messi they lost their first game of the World Cup qualifiers. Ecuador’s coach called up four players from MLS and none of them saw activity on matchday one.
Paraguay
Gastón Giménez from Chicago Fire started the game and ‘Kaku’ Romero from NY Red Bulls stayed on the bench in Paraguay’s draw against Peru. Paraguay will visit Venezuela on matchday two of CONMEBOL’s World Cup qualifiers.
What are the safety protocols for MLS players?
After their participation with their national teams in CONMEBOL's World Cup qualifiers, the players will return to their respective clubs. According to the health and safety protocols from Major League Soccer, the 16 players have to quarantine for 10 days before returning to their regular activities.