MLS Minnesota United FC

Six Loons Called up for International Duty

Published on October 8, 2023 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Minnesota United FC News Release


GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn. - Minnesota United announced today that six Loons - Michael Boxall (New Zealand), Dayne St. Clair (Canada), Bongokuhle Hlongwane (South Africa), Teemu Pukki (Finland), Kervin Arriaga (Honduras), and Zarek Valentin (Puerto Rico) - have been called up to their respective national teams for the October international window. The players departed for international duty after their 5-2 win against the LA Galaxy on Saturday night.

Michael Boxall and the All Whites will take on the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Australia for international friendlies. The matches take place in London. Boxall made his debut in 2011 and has been a mainstay with the squad ever since.

Goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair returns to the Canadian Men's National Team for a friendly against Japan, playing in the Mizuho Blue Dream Match. St. Clair has made four appearances with the national team since debuting in 2021, twice in the 2023 Gold Cup tournament in the Group Stage and the Quarter-Finals.

The Bafana Bafana and Bongokuhle Hlongwane have two friendlies against Eswatini and the Ivory Coast. Hlongwane has made 14 appearances and scored four goals in his time with the national team; three of his goals have come in international friendlies.

Forward Teemu Pukki joins the Finland National Team for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Slovenia and Kazakhstan. Finland currently sits third in Group H with four wins and two loses, behind number-one seed Slovenia and Denmark. The Huukajat have 12 points, where both the top two teams have 13.

Midfielder Kervin Arriaga is set to join the Honduras National Team for two matches in the Concacaf Nations League. Honduras, with three points, sits third behind Jamaica and Cuba who both have four points, In 2021, Los Catrachos took third place in the tournament.

Defender Zarek Valentin joins the Puerto Rico National Team for two Nations League matches against Guyana that will be played at St. Kitts and Nevis' St. Peter's Community Center. Puerto Rico leads Group D with two wins.

New Zealand National Team Schedule

Fri. October 13 vs. DR Congo, 11:00 a.m. CT

Tues. October 17 vs. Australia, 1:45pm CT

Canada National Team Schedule

Fri. October 13 vs. Japan, 5:35 a.m. CT

South Africa National Team Schedule

Fri. October 13 vs. Eswatini, 11:00 a.m. CT

Tues. October 17 vs. Ivory Coast, time TBD

Finland National Team Schedule

Sat. October 14 vs. Slovenia, 11:00 a.m. CT

Tues. October 17 vs. Kazakhstan, 11:00 a.m. CT

Honduras National Team Schedule

Thurs. October 12 vs. Cuba, 8:00 p.m. CT

Sun. October 15 vs. Cuba, 7:00 p.m. CT

Puerto Rico National Team Schedule

Sat. October 14 vs. Guyana, 2:00 p.m. CT

Tues. October 17 vs. Guyana, 3:00 p.m. CT

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