International soccer returns after a summer hiatus with the September FIFA window, and eight Austin FC players from the first team, second team, and academy levels have been called into action to help the respective countries on the pitch from September 1-9.
Dani Pereira (Venezuela)
Pereira and Venezuela will play their final two FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the matches are of high importance. Venezuela could qualify automatically if they can make up a four-point gap to Colombia in sixth place or could secure a place in the intercontinental playoffs next March by keeping hold of the seventh-place spot. To do so, they would need to match or better Bolivia’s points total from their two games.
- Thursday, September 4 at 6:30 p.m. CT: Argentina vs. Venezuela
- Tuesday, September 9 at 6:30 p.m. CT: Venezuela vs. Colombia
Myrto Uzuni (Albania)
Albania has a friendly against Gibraltar to get warmed up for a crucial home World Cup qualifier vs. Latvia. Uzuni and his teammates currently occupy second spot in Group K, which would see them advance to the next stage of UEFA qualifying, but they have just a one-point cushion to Latvia and Serbia behind them, who have one and two games in hand respectively.
- Thursday, September 4 at 11:00 a.m. CT: Gibraltar vs. Albania
- Tuesday, September 9 at 1:45 p.m. CT: Albania vs. Latvia
Oleksandr Svatok (Ukraine)
Svatok and Ukraine begin their FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign with matches against France and Azerbaijan. Svatok has appeared for Ukraine nine times previously, most recently in March.
- Friday, September 5 at 1:45 p.m. CT: Ukraine vs. France (Wroclaw, Poland)
- Tuesday, September 9 at 11:00 a.m. CT: Azerbajian vs. Ukraine
Julio Cascante (Costa Rica)
Cascante and Costa Rica begin the World Cup qualification process with an away match against Nicaragua and a home match vs. Haiti. The veteran center back has 13 appearances and one goal for his country.
- Friday, September 5 at 3:00 p.m. CT: Nicaragua vs. Costa Rica
- Tuesday, September 9 at 3:00 p.m. CT: Costa Rica vs. Haiti
Jimmy Farkarlun (Liberia)
Farkarlun made his international debut with Liberia back in March and scored the winner in a 2-1 victory over São Tomé and PrÃncipe. He returns to the fold as Liberia faces two important road qualifiers at Tunisia and Malawi. Entering the final four matches of group play, Liberia trails Tunisia by six points for an automatic qualification place.
- Thursday, September 4 at 2:00 p.m. CT: Tunisia vs. Liberia
- Mondayl, September 8 at 11:00 a.m. CT: Malawi vs. Liberia
Micah Burton (United States U-20)
Burton consistently performed well for the U.S. U-17s in the past, scoring five goals in 21 appearances and playing in all four of the team’s matches at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Indonesia. He now joins the U-20 program for its training camp in West Palm Beach, Florida. Burton has four goals and two assists in 19 games for Austin FC II this season.
Ervin Torres (United States U-19)
Torres will take part in the U.S. U-19s training camp in Fayetteville, Georgia. The 17-year-old earned his first appearance at the U-19 level in October 2024, playing the full 90 minutes in a 3-2 win over Japan. Torres has four goals and three assists in 21 games for Austin FC II this season.
Luke Chamberlain (United States U-17)
Chamberlain will head to Georgia for the U.S. U-17s domestic ID training camp. The Austin FC U-18 midfielder earns his first call-up at the youth international level.
