International Roundup: A look at Kansas City players' impact for their national teams

Since June 1st Sporting KC has been on a break in league play due to the FIFA International dates during that time. All in all seven Sporting Kansas City players were called up to national teams. FC Kansas City also had many players called up for friendlies during that time. Some had good experiences, others not so much.

United States Men: Graham Zusi and Matt Besler

Graham Zusi and Matt Besler have performed very well for the United States since they were called up. Graham Zusi hooked up with Jozy Altidore to pick up two assists in two matches against Germany and Jamaica respectively. Zusi, unfortunately, picked up a second yellow card in the match against Panama in Seattle.

Matt Besler has played in all four matches and started three of them for the USA at centerback. After the debacle against Belgium where Besler was subbed in in the second half the United States has looked better at defense and it looks increasingly likely that the Matt Besler-Omar Gonzales centerback combination will be the lineup of choice for the United States as they move forward.

Zusi and Besler will play one more match for the US tomorrow against Honduras in Salt Lake City. After that the two will return to Sporting KC in time for Saturday's match against FC Dallas.

United States Women: Nicole Barnhart, Becky Sauerbrunn, Lauren Cheney, Kristie Mewis.

The USWNT played in two friendlies over the past two weeks against Canada and South Korea. The match against Canada saw Barnhart hold the Canadians scoreless over 90 minutes. Kristie Mewis was a sub used in the second half and Lauren Cheney got a start.

The Korea match saw Kristie Mewis get her first international goal in front of her hometown fans in Boston. Lauren Cheney got a goal of her own only four minutes later. All four Blues players got starts in the match.

The USWNT has another match with Korea on Thursday in New Jersey. FC Kansas City's next match isn't until Sunday so the players should be back in time for that match.

United States U-20: Mikey Lopez

Lopez will be playing for the United States U-20 team in the World Cup starting this week. The earliest Lopez could be back is after June 27th should the United States fail to advance past the group stage.

Canada Women: Lauren Sesselmann and Desiree Scott

Both Scott and Sesselmann played the full 90 for Canada in their 3-0 loss to the United States on June 2nd. Both played reasonably well but not well enough to propel Canada to a win in the US Soccer Centennial Celebration.

Canada has a friendly with Germany on Wednesday and nothing scheduled after then. The Blues should have a full strength lineup for Sunday's match with the Washington Spirit.

Lebanon: Soony Saad

Soony Saad got his first ever cap in a 1-1 draw with Oman back in late May. Saad was the one who scored for Lebanon and was going to stay with the team for the World Cup qualifiers but paperwork issues forced Saad to come home early. Lebanon needed to win against South Korea to remain World Cup eligible but a late equalizer from the Koreans ensured that Saad would not be needed for any additional playoff matches.

Saad is already back in Kansas City but did not play in the US Open Cup match on the 12th.

Haiti: Peterson Joseph and Mechack Jerome

Haiti had two friendlies against European powerhouses Spain and Italy. Neither player earned a start but both received playing time. Mechack Jerome was a sub in both matches and Peterson Joseph was a second half sub against Italy. Neither player had any goals or assists but Peterson Joseph did pick up a yellow card.

Both players will be back for Saturday's match with FC Dallas.

Sierra Leone: Kei Kamara

Kei Kamara scored a very important goal for Sierra Leone as they stayed alive with a draw with Tunisia. They actually had a chance to get a crucial win against Tunisia but a late equalizer put Sierra Leone five points back with two matches to go. Sierra Leone would lose to Cape Verde in a match that Kamara was not featured in to eliminate them from World Cup contention.

Kamara will be back for Sporting against FC Dallas on Saturday.