Aaron Long is with the U.S. national team for a pair of international friendlies in Europe. (Photo courtesy of MLS)
HARRISON, N.J. — How does a 4-3-1 formation sound to you?
Yes, it is three shy of the traditional level, but that represents the eight players who will be lost to the Red Bulls during the latest FIFA international break.
They are defenders Aaron Long, Michael Murillo, Fidel Escobar and Kemar Lawrence, midfielders Kaku, Tyler Adams and Cristian Casseres Jr. and forward Derrick Etienne, Jr.
Fortunately for the Red Bulls, they won’t be playing any matches during the next week because the MLS Cup Playoffs are on hiatus until Nov. 25, when New York travels to Atlanta United for the first leg of the Eastern Conference final. The second leg is at Red Bull Arena Nov. 29.
The Red Bulls just are hoping everyone comes back in one apiece. The players are scheduled to return Nov. 21.
Adams and Long are with the U.S. men’s national team for international friendlies against England (Nov. 15) and Italy (Nov. 20).
Escobar and Murillo have joined the Panamanian national team for two international friendlies, one against Honduras (Nov. 16) and the other against Ecuador (Nov. 20).
Etienne, Jr. rejoined Haiti for its Concacaf Nations League qualifiers against Nicaragua (Nov. 17) and El Salvador (Nov. 20).
Lawrence also will have a Concacaf Nations League qualifying match with Jamaica against Montego Bay (Nov. 17).
Kaku returned to the Paraguayan national team and their newly hired head coach Juan Carlos Osorio, a former Red Bulls head coach, for its international friendly against South Africa (Nov. 20).
Casseres Jr. is with the Under-20 Venezuelan national team camp to train with teammates for the international break.
