Jose Martinez, Andre Blake among Union players to feature on international duty

The October international break has come and gone with several Philadelphia Union players making the most of their call-ups this past week.

Jose Martinez and Andre Blake headlined eight Union players who featured for their respective national teams on international duty. Forward Tai Baribo was called for Israel’s European Qualifiers, but both matches were postponed due to the continued actions in the country.

Midfielder Jesus Bueno was originally called in for Venezuela’s pair of World Cup Qualifiers, but was forced to withdraw due to injury.

Homegrowns Jack McGlynn, Nathan Harriel, and Brandan Craig (on loan at Austin FC) both featured for the U.S. Under-23 men’s national team in October friendly victories over Mexico and Japan. The USMNT U-23’s are continuing their preparation for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France.

Here is a closer look at how Union players fared on international duty this month:

• Jose Martinez started, registered one assist, and played 65 minutes in Venezuela’s 3-0 World Cup Qualifying win over Chile on Tuesday. The midfielder did not dress in Venezuela’s 1-1 draw with Brazil on Oct. 12. Venezuela sits fourth in the World Cup Qualifying table with seven points earned after four matches.

• Andre Blake started, made two saves, and played 90 minutes in Jamaica’s 3-2 Nations League victory over Haiti on Sunday. He dressed but did not play in Jamaica’s 4-1 win over Grenada on Oct. 12. Jamaica will next face Canada in the Nations League quarterfinals this November.

• Damion Lowe started and played 90 minutes in Jamaica’s 3-2 Nations League victory over Haiti on Sunday. He dressed but did not play in Jamaica’s 4-1 win over Grenada on Oct. 12.

• Daniel Gazdag started and played 45 minutes in Hungary’s 2-2 European Qualifying draw with Lithuania on Tuesday. Gazdag dressed but did not play in Hungary’s 2-1 win over Serbia on Oct. 14. Hungary sits top of Group G (14 points) in qualifying with two matches left to play in November.

• Olivier Mbaizo came off the bench and played four minutes in Cameroon’s 1-0 friendly loss to Russia on Oct. 12. Mbaizo did not dress in Cameroon’s 1-0 friendly loss to Senegal on Oct. 16.

• Jack McGlynn totaled 87 combined minutes in the USMNT U-23’s 2-1 win over Mexico on Oct. 12 and 4-1 win over Japan on Tuesday. McGlynn started and played 60 minutes against Mexico before logging 27 minutes off the bench against Japan.

• Nathan Harriel totaled 87 combined minutes in USMNT U-23’s 2-1 win over Mexico on Oct. 12 and 4-1 win over Japan on Tuesday. Harriel started and played 60 minutes against Mexico before logging 27 minutes off the bench against Japan.

• Brandan Craig totaled 79 combined minutes in USMNT U-23’s 2-1 win over Mexico on Oct. 12 and 4-1 win over Japan on Tuesday. Craig came off the bench in both matches, logging 30 minutes against Mexico and 49 minutes against Japan.