International duty is on its way as two prestigious football tournaments are underway.
The United States is hosting the Copa America, while Germany is gearing up for the UEFA Euros in June.
Who is temporarily leaving LAFC to go on international duty this June?
MLS must go on, and the teams’ squads will be thin for a short while.
The Los Angeles Football Club’s squad has completely changed this season. During the winter transfer window, LAFC lost seven first-team players and signed only a few, like Hugo Lloris, Omar Campos, and Eduard Atuesta.
Despite LAFC squad issues, international teams that have qualified for the Euros and Copa America have yet to announce their squads.
A few players in the LAFC squad could potentially play for their country.
Let’s dive in.
Timothy Tillman // United States
LAFC midfielder Timothy Tillman was called up for the U.S. Men’s national team on January 20, 2024, in a friendly against Slovenia. Tillman this season has been exceptional, providing five goals and three assists in all competitions.
Tillman has a chance to play alongside his brother, Malik Tillman, who plays for current Eredivisie champions PSV. Tillman’s younger brother provided nine goals and ten assists in 28 eight matches and appeared in the UEFA Champions League nine times.
The brothers can make history next month’s Copa America warms up versus Colombia and Brazil. If the two German-born players get on the field together in the same match, they will become the first pair of brothers to play side-by-side for the U.S. since 1988.
On May 12, 2023, FIFA approved Tillmans’s application for a one-time switch to represent the United States at the senior level. In May 2022, Malik Tillman also applied for a one-time switch to play for the United States, which FIFA approved.
Cristian Olivera // Uruguay
Cristian Olivera has the potential to be part of the Uruguay squad this summer. In all competitions, Olivera has scored six goals and provided two assists. This season, he has been a constant threat to LAFC’s attacking third.
So far, he has made three appearances for the Uruguay national team. His performances against the Vancouver Whitecaps, Loudoun United FC, and Las Vegas Lights could raise Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa’s eyebrows.
Even though he’s performing well, he must continue his form before the Copa America starts. LAFC plays Minnesota United and FC Dallas, and Olivera has a chance to shine in these games.
Mateusz Bogusz // Poland
Another attacker, Mateusz Bogusz, could head to the Polish national team and make his senior international debut. So far, he hasn’t been called up for the Polish national team, but he deserves a call-up the way he’s playing.
LAFC scraped past Atlanta United 1-0 away four days ago, and thanks to Bogusz’s goal, LAFC is now in fourth place with 24 points.
This season, he’s been a threat, scoring crucial goals. Therefore, this is his chance to play against Ukraine and Turkey ahead of the Euros.
Eduard Atuesta // Colombia
Another player who could go to the Copa America is Eduard Atuesta. After spending three years on loan at Palmeiras, he came back to LAFC in style and created chances like he used to for four years before leaving for Brazil.
Atuesta scored 11 goals and 20 assists in five years for the Black and Gold. On June 5, 2022, he made his international debut against Saudi Arabia, which Colombia won 1-0. Atuesta assisted Rafael Santos Borré Maury in reaching the goal.
Atuesta played 45 minutes against Paraguay and was replaced by Jorge Carrascal. Colombia needs a midfielder who is very good at playing short, quick passes to retain possession and provide support in the midfield.
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