New York City FC have been busy this week with preparations almost complete for Saturday’s trip to face New England Revolution. While league play has continued in September, five NYCFC players departed the group to join up with their national team and participate in World Cup Qualifiers. Here’s a round-up of how they got on.
Alexander Callens – Peru
The towering defender is fast becoming a key cog for his country in defence, as evidenced by the fact he started and played the full 90 minutes in all three of their games this month. Ricardo Gareca’s side opened with a 1-1 draw against Uruguay on September 3, before recording a big win against Venezuela three days later.
Unfortunately, they were unable to build on that against Brazil, suffering a 2-0 defeat. That leaves Peru 7th in their qualification group, five points away from fifth place Colombia, who currently hold the last qualification spot.
Maxime Chanot – Luxembourg
Chanot was forced to sit out his side’s first game against Azerbaijan due to yellow-card accumulation, but in his absence the Red Lions secured a 2-1 victory. He was back in the starting XI for the next game against Serbia, but that unfortunately saw Luxembourg suffer a 4-1 defeat.
The 31-year-old then played 45 minutes in a friendly against Qatar.
This set of results leaves Chanot’s team third in their group, five points behind second-place Serbia. Luxembourg will need to pick up three points against Dragan Stojković’s side next month if they are to stand any chance of competing in the World Cup next year.
James Sands – United States of America
The Club’s first ever Homegrown celebrated a successful Gold Cup campaign by earning a call-up to the September qualifiers. After being an unused substitute against El Salvador and Canada – both games the U.S. drew – Sands was introduced for the away trip to Honduras earlier this week.
The 21-year-old went 73 minutes of action as the U.S. claimed a memorable 4-1 victory on the road, with Sands still to taste defeat while representing his country at senior international level.
This result saw Gregg Berhalter’s side move up to third in their group, and on course to qualify for the World Cup next year.
Gudi Thórarinsson – Iceland
After some time away from the national team set-up Thórarinsson celebrated back-to-back call-ups this month.
The 29-year-old played the full 90 minutes during his side’s first game – a 2-0 defeat to Romania. He then saw 67 minutes of action in their next game during which Iceland battled from 2-0 down to earn a draw against Macedonia.
Arnar Viðarsson’s side completed their schedule of games with a meeting against Germany. Thórarinsson remained on the substitutes bench, however, with Iceland suffering a disappointing 4-0 that leaves them fifth in Group J on four points.
Sean Johnson – United States of America
The talented shot-stopper was called up to replace Zack Steffen after the Manchester City goalkeeper tested positive for COVID-19.
Johnson was an unused substitute for games against Canada and Honduras but proved he was there for his nation when called upon.
