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LAFC international wrap: Vassell scores for Jamaica; Rodriguez gets Uruguay debut

Lots of black-and-gold players busy on international duty.

By Alicia Rodriguez
Jamaica v United States Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images

Seven Los Angeles Football Club players are currently on international duty, and there was plenty of game action for them over the past couple days.

On Thursday, defender Diego Palacios started and played 76 minutes in a 1-0 friendly win over fellow South American side Peru at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, NJ. The goal came two minutes into the second half courtesy of Erick Castillo.

Also on Thursday, Eduard Atuesta started and appeared to go the distance for Colombia’s U-23 squad, as they lost 2-0 to Brazil’s U-23s in a friendly in Brazil. Details are hard to come by, but slotting right into the lineup would seem to indicate Atuesta is in contention for the CONMEBOL 2020 Olympics qualifying tournament, which will take place in late-January and early-February in Colombia...perfect timing for Atuesta’s club situation, as LAFC will be in preseason training camp at that point.

More action came on Friday. Peter-Lee Vassell started Jamaica’s Concacaf Nations League opener against Antigua and Barbuda on the bench, and entered in the 68th minute. He put the capper on the night with the sixth goal in a 6-0 win in Kingston.

Over at MetLife Stadium, Walker Zimmerman started in central defense for the U.S. Men’s National Team in a friendly against Mexico on Friday. Chicharito scored the opener in the 21st minute after Jesus Corona skinned a couple defenders along the sideline before sending in the cross. He lasted until the 57th minute, when he made way for debutant Miles Robinson, the score still 1-0. The game ended in a 3-0 loss for the Americans.

And Brian Rodriguez made his debut for Uruguay’s senior national team on Friday, in a friendly against Costa Rica, which the Uruguayans won 2-1 in San Jose, Costa Rica. The new Designated Player started and went the distance in the victory, with the goals scored by Giorgian De Arrascaeta and Jonathan Rodriguez for Uruguay, while Celso Borges had a late first half equalizer for Costa Rica.

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