Eight Philadelphia Union players have recently left town to join their national teams for a FIFA international window.

Although many MLS players find it a difficult decision to choose between staying at their clubs and playing for their national teams, these men decided to play for their home country teams. Some summer tournaments require players to be with their national teams for up to six weeks, and unfortunately a lot of MLS teams suffer the consequences of these call-ups.

Among them are Mexican-born Marco Fabián. The Philadelphia Union’s star midfielder was summoned to Mexico’s team for Friday’s friendly against the United States.

After which, Fabián and his team face Argentina this Tuesday in San Antonio. The good news for Fabián and his team is that Argentina’s star player, Lionel Messi, won’t be playing in the friendly.

Fabián hasn’t played for Mexico since last November, when he last played Argentina. Mexico currently sit 12th in the latest FIFA Coca-Cola World Ranking.

“Last year, Fabián was called up to the Gold Cup team, but only stayed for a short period of time due to his ill-health. The Philadelphia Union stated that the Mexican soccer player was having problems with his ankle, something he has since been able to work on and strengthen. Hopefully, Fabián won’t run into ill health during the FIFA international window and will be able to return to the MLS in a fit state,” says sports journalist, Antonia Gómez from reviewbox.com.mx.

The Philadelphia Union have also had to part with four US-born players, including goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Auston Trusty and Mark McKenzie, and midfielder Brenden Aaronson. Who have all joined to US under-23 team – which means that they’re under consideration for next year’s Olympic squad.

Despite his recent struggles with the Philadelphia Union, Trusty has been seen as a near-lock for the Olympic under-23 squad for almost a year. McKenzie and Aaronson received their call-ups due to good play this year with the Philadelphia Union team.

Philadelphia Union’s goalkeeper, Andre Blake is also currently playing for his national team, Jamaica, as is Cory Burke.

It is Burke’s first time playing for Jamaica, since being kicked out of the United States due to visa issues. Unfortunately, Philadelphia Union had to loan Burke to the Jamaican club Portmore United for the rest of the year because he was unable to secure a deal with any clubs in Europe.

And the eighth player to part with the Philadelphia Union team for now, is Olivier Mbaizo, who is playing for Cameroon’s under-23 team. Mbaizo is playing for an African Under-23 Cup of Nations home-and-away qualifying series with Tunisia.

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