As soccer leagues around the world completed their weekend schedules, hundreds of players summoned for international duty dashed off to train stations and airports. Beginning Monday, the sport entered a FIFA window, an official nine-day period when clubs are obligated to release players to national teams and many top-tier domestic leagues go dark for a weekend.
Over the years, MLS has gotten better about abiding by the FIFA calendar, scheduling fewer matches when teams are shorthanded and fans’ focus turns to World Cup qualifiers, friendlies and other competitions. During most FIFA windows, however, MLS does not shut down completely.