The FIFA international break began Monday, but the Seattle Sounders allowed Gustav Svensson to leave early to play for Sweden in upcoming World Cup qualifiers. According to the Seattle Times, the midfielder had previously talked to team staff, coach Brian Schmetzer and General Manager and was granted permission to leave Saturday.
Svensson missed Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Portland. So did Joevin Jones, but he went about it in a much different way. Jones left last Monday for Trinidad and Tobago without permission. The star left back informed the Sounders by text message after he had already left.
Seattle Sounders defender Joevin Jones (33) competes for the ball with
FC Dallas defender Ryan Hollingshead (12) during the second half of an
MLS soccer western conference semifinal playoff match Sunday, Nov.
6, 2016 in Frisco, Texas. Though Dallas won 2-1, Seattle advanced to the
western conference championship on aggregate score. (AP Photo/
Jeffrey McWhorter)
Jones was on the bench, but did not play in Trinidad’s friendly versus Jamaica on Thursday. Svensson’s first international action would be August 31st when Sweden plays at Bulgaria in a World Cup qualifier.
FIFA’s international break runs through September 5th.
(KPUG – Doug Lange)