(Times/ROBERT J GURECKI)

Next Wednesday, Aug. 15, is one of FIFA’s preordained international friendly days. They’re fun for soccer fans, bad news for contending clubs.

That being said, Union manager John Hackworth said there’s a chance centerback Carlos Valdes (Colombia) and midfielders Keon Daniel (Trinidad and Tobago) and Gabriel Gomez (Panama) might get call-ups for their respective nations’ senior teams.

The biggest absence to fill would be that of Valdes, the club’s captain and one of its All-Stars. This would be Valdes' first national-team call-up since 2010, prior to joining the Union.

“We’ve got to figure that out with Carlos,” Hackworth said. “We’re still trying to finalize his travel plans with the Colombian federation. Hopefully, he’s available for us Sunday. If he’s not, we’ll deal with that.”

Assuming Bakary Soumare is fit --- for real, this time, as opposed to when Hackworth said a week ago that he'd be ready for selection against Montreal -- there shouldn't be an issue. But if the Union have to go with a central defense tandem of Amobi Okugo, a natural midfielder who was played well above average at centerback, and rookie Ray Gaddis, that could create problems. There's also Sheanon Williams to slide into that spot, too. So plenty of options, but having Valdes is the best one.