Loons fans, there’s a huge slate of incredible international football this month. And, just in case you don’t already have your World Cup Qualifying TV schedule mapped out, here's a little guide highlighting some key matches featuring MNUFC players.
Friday, June 3
Honduras @ Curaçao – 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
Start off the international break with the opening of Group C in the CONCACAF Nations League, as Curaçao hosts Honduras and Minnesota United midfielder Kervin Arriaga. The last time these two teams saw the field, Curaçao knocked out Honduras to claim their first ever Gold Cup tournament victory.
Trinidad & Tobago @ Nicaragua – 9:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
Recent MNUFC2 signee, Molik Jesse Khan, will join the Trinidad & Tobago National Team for its round of the CONCACAF Nations League, starting with a matchup at Nicaragua. At just 18 years old, Khan has experience on the international stage with appearances in FIFA Friendlies and in the CONCACAF U15 Championship.
Saturday, June 4
Finland vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina – 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Fresh off becoming the Loons all-time leading goal scorer in MLS regular season play, midfielder Robin Lod will stay busy with Finland's National Team. This will be the first game the UEFA Nations League will have Lod's squad facing off against Bosnia & Herzegovina for the first of two games this month between these squads.
Sunday, June 5
New Zealand vs. Peru (in Spain) – 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
After missing out on the last tour in March, Michael Boxall rejoins the New Zealand National team to compete in this international friendly before finishing their World Cup Qualifying journey.
Canada vs. Iran – 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
MNUFC Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair has had his share of standout performances with the Loons in MLS this season, and the 25-year-old has become a routine call-up into national team camps during FIFA international windows. He is expected to back up veteran mainstays Milan Borjan and Maxime Crepeau in this tune-up friendly in Vancouver.
Monday, June 6
Trinidad & Tobago vs. Bahamas – 7:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
While this matchup is heavy on the island vibes, don't expect Khan to relax much, as this matchup with the Bahaman National Team could be a great opportunity for the 18-year old to get some quality minutes on the pitch.
Honduras vs. Curaçao – 9:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
Arriaga and the Honduras National Team take on Curaçao once again in CONCACAF Nations League play, this time in his homeland. With both teams having to face Canada during this tournament, a win is more than three points for the teams, but a security to not be at the bottom of their group.
Tuesday, June 7
Finland vs. Montenegro – 11:00 a.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Lod and Finland take on Montenegro for the first of two matchups in UEFA Nations League play in which they face teams not named Bosnia or Herzegovina.
Thursday, June 9
South Africa vs. Morocco – 2:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
While they did not qualify for the World Cup in Qatar, Bongokuhle Hlongwane returns to South Africa to lead his squad in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Morocco.
Canada vs. Curaçao – 9:30 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
St. Clair and the Canadian National Team will play two matches as part of the CONCACAF Nations League, the first being a matchup with Curacao in Vancouver.
Friday, June 10
Trinidad & Tobago @ St. Vincent & the Grenadines – 2:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
Khan and the Trinidad & Tobago National Team continues in CONCACAF Nations League, taking another island nation in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, which also sounds like it would be a cool band name.
Saturday, June 11
Finland @ Romania – 1:45 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Lod and Finland take on Romania for the second of two matchups in UEFA Nations League play in which they face teams not named Bosnia or Herzegovina. .
Monday, June 13
Trinidad & Tobago vs. St. Vincent & the Grenadines – 6:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
Khan and Trinidad & Tobago switch venues, but not the opponent as they once again take on St. Vincent & the Grenadines in CONCACAF Nations League play for a second straight game.
Canada @ Honduras – 9:00 p.m. CT
TV: Paramount+
While he will likely be in a back up role behind veteran mainstays Milan Borjan and Maxime Crepeau, there's been talk of Dayne St. Clair getting a start in goal in one of Canada's upcoming matches. Let's hope it's to faces off with his Minnesota United teammate Kervin Arriaga and Honduras. In the last meeting between these two teams, it was a World Cup Qualifier in which Canada secured a 2-0 win and began their winning streak that would secure a spot in the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Tuesday, June 14
New Zealand @ Costa Rica – 1:00 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
Michael Boxall and the New Zealand national team has a spot in the World Cup on the line in an inter-confederation playoff against Costa Rica in Doha, Qatar. The winner of the one-leg playoff returns to Qatar for the World Cup in November, while the loser watches from home. This may be the 33-year-old Boxall’s last big shot with the national team. New Zealand last qualified for the World Cup in 2010.
Finland @ Bosnia & Herzegovina – 1:45 p.m. CT
TV: ESPN+
It's round two for these squads, as Robin Lod finishes out his slate of UEFA Nations League games against Bosnia & Herzegovina, with this on being on the opponent's home turf.
