Five of RSL's core called up for national teams

With the international break calling once again, some of Real Salt Lake's most important players are off to represent their nations. It does mean that they'll almost certainly miss the Oct. 17 match against Seattle Sounders, which will make for an interesting night.

United States

Oct. 12 @ Antigua and Barbuda (5 p.m. MDT); Oct. 16 v. Guatemala (5:15 p.m. MDT)

Kyle Beckerman: Despite some criticism levied at the dreadlocked midfielder (mentioned only because I suspect it's the only way most recognize him in the first place), RSL's captain has picked up another call-up. The defensive midfielder perhaps most trusted in Jurgen Klinsmann's system, Beckerman rarely strays from the task at hand - exactly what is needed for the position, though the lack of creativity from the midfielders around him sometimes lands him in a spot of criticism when things go awry. He will almost certainly miss the Oct. 17 match with Real Salt Lake taking on Seattle Sounders just a day after the USA v. Guatemala match.

Nick Rimando: Nick Rimando has won yet another call-up, but expecting him to play would be wide of the mark: Tim Howard is the absolute number one, and Klinsmann has essentially assured everyone that he's not going anywhere by not playing another goalkeeper - even in friendlies. Still, there are few American goalkeepers better than Nick Rimando, so having him as the first choice in case of emergency is worth something. Like Beckerman, he will almost certainly miss the Oct. 17 match.

United States U-20s

Oct. 10 v. Canada (9:30 a.m. MDT); Oct. 12 v. Scotland (7:30 a.m. MDT); Oct. 16 v. Azerbaijan (9 a.m. MDT)

Luis Gil: The young attacking midfielder has been called in for the US U-20s as they participate in the Marbella Cup in Spain, which interrupts his run of games for Real Salt Lake. With Ned Grabavoy anticipated to return, the absence of Gil may not be as keenly felt as the others, but it's a bit of a blow all the same.

Canada

Oct. 12 v. Cuba (5:45 p.m. MDT); Oct. 16 @ Honduras (2 p.m. MDT)

Will Johnson: The midfield dynamo, a new father, is off once again to represent his nation ... a near-constant call-up, it's hard to say whether he's more important to Real Salt Lake or to Canada. We missed him on Saturday owing to the birth of his child and given that he will be away from home with his national team.

Costa Rica

Oct. 12 @ El Salvador (7:30 p.m. MDT); Oct. 16 v. Guyana (7 p.m. MDT)

Alvaro Saborio: Saborio has proven essential in RSL's 2012 campaign, netting 17 goals thus far, and he'll be looking to continue his goalscoring with Costa Rica. With RSL's leading goalscorer out (all-time, single-season, hat-trick-leader, and all that), the side will be looking at other options for the Seattle match.