Sounders FC defender Nouhou and Tacoma Defiance forward Alec Díaz have been called into international duty. Nouhou joins Cameroon for a pair of Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Cape Verde and Rwanda, while Díaz joins Puerto Rico for two 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Saint Kitts & Nevis and Trinidad & Tobago.
Currently leading Group F of 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, Cameroon plays its final two qualification matches against Cape Verde on March 26 and Rwanda on March 30. As the hosts of the tournament, Cameroon has already qualified. Nouhou has one senior international cap for Les Lions Indomptables, in addition to a pair of U-20 and U-23 appearances.
Puerto Rico kicks off CONCACAF qualifying for the 2022 FIFA World Cup next week with Group F matches against Saint Kitts & Nevis on March 24 and Trinidad & Tobago on March 28. Díaz has one senior national team appearance for El Huracán Azul, in addition to a pair of U-20 appearances.
Seattle Sounders FC is set to open the 2021 MLS regular season at home on Friday, April 16 against Western Conference side Minnesota United FC at Lumen Field (6:30 p.m. PT / FS1). The matchup pits the two defending Western Conference finalists against each other, after the Rave Green earned a 3-2 comeback win in last year’s conference championship fixture. Full dates and broadcast details of the 2021 MLS season schedule will be announced at a later date.