SEATTLE, WASH. – Two Sounders FC players have been called into international duty during the October FIFA window, as Nouhou and Obed Vargas have joined their respective national teams. Nouhou is with Cameroon for a pair of friendlies, while Vargas is with the U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team for camp and a pair of friendlies to prepare for the 2024 Olympics. Additionally, Tacoma Defiance midfielder Antonio Herrera has been called-up to the U-18 Mexico Youth National Team for camp in Mexico City. Midfielder Danny Leyva, who is currently on loan with the Colorado Rapids, has also been called-up to join the U.S. at the 2023 Pan American Games.
Nouhou, 26, has 27 career caps for Cameroon since 2018, playing every minute in all three of Cameroon’s 2022 FIFA World CupTM matches, including the country’s historic 1-0 win over Brazil. Last month, the Douala native started in a 3-0 win over Burundi on September 12 as part of Cameroon’s 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign. Most recently, Nouhou played all 90 minutes earlier today in a 1-0 loss to Russia in Moscow and now faces Senegal in Lens, France on October 16. The defender has 31 appearances for Sounders FC in all competitions this year.
Vargas, 17, is set to join the U.S. Olympic Men’s Soccer Team for a camp in Phoenix, Arizona from October 8–17 to prepare for the 2024 Summer Olympic games in Paris. He scored in a friendly win over Mexico on October 11, and now looks ahead to a match against Japan on October 17 at Phoenix Rising Stadium (7:30 p.m. PT). Vargas has previously represented the USMYNT on multiple occasions, most recently making five appearances (three starts) in the U-20 FIFA World Cup, including a 90-minute performance in a 2-0 win over Slovakia. The Anchorage, Alaska native has made 24 appearances for the Rave Green this year in all competitions.
Herrera, 18, joins the U-18 Mexico Men’s Youth National Team for a training camp in Mexico City, after previously being called-up last month to participate in the 2023 Slovenia Nations Cup. The midfielder appeared in 19 matches (11 starts) for Tacoma Defiance this year, scoring one goal.
Leyva, 20, is set to join the U.S. at the 2023 Pan American Games in Santiago, Chile from October 20 – November 5. The largest multi-sport event in the Americas, the Pan American and Parapan American Games are held every four years and precede the Olympic and Paralympic Games by one year. Chile is serving as the host country for the first time in its history this fall.
Following a 0-0 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps FC, Sounders FC has a week off from competitive action before a road Decision Day matchup against St. Louis CITY SC on Saturday, October 21 at CITYPARK (6:00 p.m. PT / Apple TV, iHeartMedia, El Rey 1360 AM). The upcoming match is Seattle’s last of the regular season, with the club having already secured a spot in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
