FIFA International Weekend: MLS Players Well Represented

Chances are, if you watch any CONCACAF play during this FIFA international weekend, you're going to see plenty of MLS players. 45 MLS players were called up by 15 different national teams ahead of this weekend's FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches.

Canada and Jamaica both boast nine MLS players on their respective sides, while Honduras squad contains six MLS players and the United States roster contains five players from the league. In a normal cycle, that would be six players on the US squad with Landon Donovan healthy.

Tim Cahill of the New York Red Bulls got called up to the Australian team, his first international call up since signing with the team. According to the Wilhemsson interview making the rounds, part of his reason for wanting to sign with MLS is regaining a spot on the Swedish national team. Adam Johnson of Seattle Sounders was called up to the Swedish squad.

Two Irish national team players are in MLS now, Robbie Keane and Toronto FC's Danny O'Dea.

Clearly any stigma MLS may have had internationally about not being competitive enough is no longer the case. It's not a destination league (nor can it afford to be) of the cream of the crop, but perhaps that exactly where MLS should be. The Island of Misfit toys for America's misfit sport.

Here's a list of the international matches being played this weekend, and where you can find them:

Friday, September 7

Kazakhstan vs. Ireland, 12:00 p.m. ET

Estonia vs. Romania, 2:00 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Malta vs. Armenia, 2:00 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Albania vs. Cyprus, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Cuba vs. Honduras, 3:00 p.m. ET

Colombia vs. Uruguay, 4:30 p.m. ET

Canada vs. Panama, 7:45 p.m. ET (Sportsnet)

Jamaica vs. United States, 8:00 p.m. ET (beIN SPORT)

El Salvador vs. Guyana, 9:30 p.m. ET

Costa Rica vs. Mexico, 10:05 p.m. ET

Saturday, September 8

Scotland vs. Serbia, 10:00 a.m. ET

Tuesday, September 11

Jordan vs. Australia, 12:00 p.m. ET

Turkey vs. Estonia, 2:00 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Sweden vs. Kazakhstan, 2:30 p.m. ET

Switzerland vs. Albania, 2:30 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Italy vs. Malta, 2:45 p.m. ET

Scotland vs. Macedonia, 3:00 p.m. ET (ESPN3)

Chile vs. Colombia, 3:30 p.m. ET

United States vs. Jamaica, 8:00 p.m. ET (ESPN2)

Guyana vs. El Salvador, 8:00 p.m. ET

Mexico vs. Costa Rica, 9:00 p.m. ET

Panama vs. Canada, 9:05 p.m. ET (Sportsnet/ESPN3)

Honduras vs. Cuba, 9:30 p.m. ET