Photo by Marjorie Elzey

Last weekend, the Philadelphia Union were missing seven first team players due to international duty. In the entire league, only Atlanta United had more call-ups with eight. Despite those absences, including five starters, the Union were able to defeat Saint Louis 1-0. Here’s a look at how those seven Union players performed on international duty. Any important observations relating to the Union or a player’s national team are also included. Some players have longer sections due to a combination of easier access to footage, stats, or more important context around their games.

Andre Blake: Jamaica

CONCACAF Gold Cup Prelims 

Jamaica contested a home-and-away series with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (“SVG”). This matchup was determined by each team’s performance in the CONCACAF Nations League campaign. The winner of the series would secure qualification to the 2025 Gold Cup, and the loser would be sent packing. The first leg, played at the Arnos Vale Stadium in Kingstown, SVG, ended in a 1-1 draw.

Although Jamaica had the vast majority of chances, SVG’s fiery attack proved dangerous. About midway through the first half, Blake made a tremendous save on Cornelius Stewart to keep the game scoreless. It would prove to be an important moment in the match as SVG took a surprise lead in the second half through a lovely move by Oalex Anderson. However, deep into stoppage time, a careless foul from an SVG defender allowed Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey to tie things up from the penalty spot, sparing Jamaican blushes. 

The second leg, contested in Jamaica, saw the Reggae Boyz impose their will over the Vincy Heat. Blake only needed to make a single save to keep a clean sheet as Jamaica ran out 3-0 winners.

Concerningly, as reported by Union insider José Nuñez, Blake needed treatment twice during the match. While he was able to finish the game, he was seen gingerly leaving the field after the final whistle. 

This result means Jamaica have qualified for the Gold Cup. The summer tournament is scheduled to run from June 14th to July 6th. As it stands, the Union have four MLS games scheduled in that window, meaning they will likely have to turn to backup Andrew Rick for at least 2 of them. Possibly more if Jamaica advances into the knockout rounds.

Tai Baribo: Israel

UEFA World Cup Qualifiers 

In the opening two fixtures of their World Cup Qualifying campaign, Israel split results versus Estonia and Norway. They occupy 3rd place of Group I with 3 points.

The Union’s Tai Baribo only saw action against Estonia. He was was subbed on in the 71st minute of of the 2-1 win over the Blueshirts. MLS’s Golden Boot leader took no shots, but he did create two chances, including a slipped through ball that sent a teammate 1-on-1 versus the keeper. He did not appear against Norway as Israel lost 4-2. 

Jesús Bueno: Venezuela 

CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers

While European World Cup Qualification is only just starting, the South America campaign is entering crunch time. Jesús Bueno joined Venezuela as they search to punch their ticket to the World Cup for the very first time.

Despite a couple of call-ups in recent years, Bueno had yet to earn his first cap with La Vinotinto. That all changed last Friday as Bueno was named in the starting lineup against Ecuador. Things did not go well for Bueno or Venezuela however. Enner Valencia would put Ecuador up shortly before the half and scored again immediately after the break. Bueno was subbed out following the second goal.

He did not dress for the match versus Peru although former Union player José Martínez went 78 minutes in the 1-0 win for Venezuela.

With the expanded format for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, the top six finishers in CONMEBOL will earn an automatic spot. The seventh placed team will have to play a home and away series against an opponent from a different continent in an Inter-confederation Play-Off

Venezuela currently sits in that seventh placed spot, and are five points outside of automatic qualification with four games to go. Bolivia is one point behind them. They will clash in the next qualifying round in June. 

Danley Jean Jacques: Haiti 

International Friendly

Haiti traveled all the way to Bank Respublika Arena in Azerbaijan to face off against the Azeri national team in an international friendly.

For those unaware, Haitian national teams have been unable to play in their home country since 2021, due to ongoing civil unrest relating to the assassination of sitting president Jovenel Moïse in 2021. Just one of the outcomes of this ongoing humanitarian crisis has been the closure of the Stade Sylvio Cator, which acts as the national team’s training center in addition to hosting the men’s and women’s national team games. Although the Ligue Haïtienne restarted play last season, it remains to be seen when Les Grenadiers will be able to resume normal hosting duties. 

This was the first-ever match up between the two nations. It also came during the 100 year anniversary of the Haitian national team, which has a rich history including a ‘golden age’ during the 70’s.

Haiti, who are ranked 31 spots higher than the Azeris, easily dispatched them 3-0. Jean Jacques started and scored his third goal for Haiti in the 83rd minute. It was a well taken shot that picked out the bottom corner from just outside the 18 yard box. He was subbed out shortly after.

Haiti recently clinched qualification to the Gold Cup through their performances in the Nations League, so the Union will likely have to do without Danley for at least 2 games during the summer tournament. 

Daniel Gazdag: Hungary

2024-25 UEFA Nations League Relegation Play-Off

Gazdag joined Hungary for their Relegation series against Turkiye. Hungary finished third in Group A3, meaning they would need to win to remain in the top division. Meanwhile Turkiye finished second in group B4 and were hunting to move up.

While he was only a late sub in Hungary’s 3-1 first leg loss, he started opposite Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai in the following home fixture. 

He played just under an hour, taking two shots (one on target), making an interception and winning 2 tackles but could not prevent Hungary from a losing 3-0. They will drop to League B for the 2026-27 Nations League.

Neil Pierre: USA Under-18s

Training Camp

Pierre was called into the USA Under-18’s Training Camp in Marbella, Spain. While he has made a few appearances with the U-16s and, more recently, the U-19s he has only one prior cap with the U-18s.

That number increased as the Union’s latest Home Grown signing started in the friendly against Morocco which ended as 2-2 draw.

Not only would Pierre retain his spot in the XI for the following fixture with Norway, but he would captain the side, helping lead the team to a 4-3 win

Frankie Westfield: USA Under-20s 

Training Camp

Westfield made some headlines with his call-up to the Under-20’s Training Camp in L’Albir, Spain. It was just his second time joining the team, after appearing against Chile back in October of last year.

He started against Mexico, going 64 minutes as the US ran out 3-0 winners. While he dressed for the second game versus Japan, he did not appear in the 1-1 draw.

If Westfield keeps performing at the high level he has already shown, he could well make the roster for the 2025 U-20 World Cup, held in Chile from September 27th to October 19th.