:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/69338872/usa_today_16088934.0.jpg)
Two LA Galaxy players have gotten the nod from their respective countries for the upcoming 2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals.
Midfielder Jonathan dos Santos has been selected to Mexico’s 23-man squad by head coach Gerardo Martino, while midfielder Sebastian Lletget has gotten the call for the United States’ 23-man roster by head coach Gregg Berhalter.
Both selections are expected, given that both players have been fixtures for their countries since international soccer resumed at the end of last year from the coronavirus pandemic.
Mexico will play a tune-up friendly on Saturday against Iceland in AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas, before they face Costa Rica in the Nations League semifinal on June 3 at Mile High Stadium in Denver. Depending on the outcome of that game, they’ll take on either the U.S. or Honduras, in either the final or third-place game, on June 6, also in Denver.
The U.S., meanwhile, will play their preparation friendly on Sunday against Switzerland in St. Gallen, before their semifinal in Denver against Honduras on June 3. Same deal for them, they’ll play either Mexico or Costa Rica in either the final or third-place game, three days later.
It is possible a third Galaxy player, Giancarlo Gonzalez, could be on Costa Rica’s roster, with that scheduled to drop on Tuesday. He hasn’t yet played a minute for LA, however, and so I think he may not make the cut. A fourth player, Efrain Alvarez, was on Mexico’s provisional roster, but either got cut for the 23-man squad or declined the invitation as he’s still officially mulling his international future.
Lletget is expected to miss the Galaxy’s upcoming game, Saturday against the San Jose Earthquakes in Dignity Health Sports Park, while dos Santos will be leaving to join Mexico right after Saturday’s game, per the Los Angeles Times’ Kevin Baxter. The next Galaxy game isn’t scheduled until June 19, so this international call-up won’t lead to a bunch of games missed on the club front, anyway.
What do you think? Leave a comment below.