TFC's Canadians stuck between a rock and hard place this week

Major League Soccer’s decision to continue playing through the current FIFA international window is going to leave almost every team in the league short-handed this weekend.

There’s a full slate of matches on Saturday – 14 in total, involving 28 of the 29 MLS clubs. Toronto FC’s road game against the San Jose Earthquakes falls on the same day as Canada's Concacaf Nations League qualifier away to Curaçao. Canada hosts Honduras three days later at BMO Field.

Because it’s an official international window, MLS clubs are obligated to release players for national team duty. Jonathan Osorio, Mark-Anthony Kaye, Richie Laryea and Ayo Akinola have been named to John Herdman's Canadian roster. Backup goalkeeper Tomás Romero is also away with El Salvador, which means TFC is going to be without three of their starters, and two bench players when they take on San Jose.