By AVI CREDITOR

The FIFA calendar is at it again.

With international call-ups affecting roster personnel for some Major League Soccer teams this weekend, it's important to know who won't be available for your roster selection.

The San Jose Earthquakes have perhaps the best matchup of the week, but they'll be without Cornell Glen (Trinidad & Tobago), Ryan Johnson (Jamaica) and Arturo Alvarez (El Salvador). Their opponent, D.C. United, will be missing Branko Boskovic (Montenegro), Dejan Jakovic (Canada) and Julius James (T&T). Here's who else won't be participating in MLS play this weekend because of international duty:

Dane Richards (NY/Jamaica), Bouna Coundoul (NY/Senegal), Andrew Boyens (NY/New Zealand), Shavar Thomas (KC/Jamaica), Sanna Nyassi (SEA/Gambia), Sainey Nyassi (NE/Gambia), Kenny Mansally (NE/Gambia), Yohance Marshall (LA/T&T), O'Brian White (TOR/Jamaica), Alejandro Moreno (PHI/Venezuela), Dario Delgado (CHV/Costa Rica), Shaun Francis (CLB/Jamaica), Emilio Renteria (CLB/Venezuela) and Sunil Chhetri (KC/India).

Despite the MLS player pool being diminished a bit, here are this week's player rankings by position:

FANTASY MLS WEEK 28 PLAYER RANKINGS

GOALKEEPERS

1. Jon Busch, SJ – After putting up a dud against Chicago at home last week, Busch and the Earthquakes could find themselves recovering quite nicely at D.C.
2. Donovan Ricketts, LA – Beating the Union at PPL Park is no easy feat, but the Galaxy seem to be turning things back around
3. Jimmy Nielsen, KC – Two matches this week for Nielsen, who could perhaps catch the Sounders with a U.S. Open Cup hangover in the Wizards' first match of the week
4. Kasey Keller, SEA – After a shaky stretch earlier in the year, Keller looks as focused as ever
5. Dario Sala, DAL – Coming off an 11-point week in which he registered not just a clean sheet, but also an assist
6. Zach Thornton, CHV – Decent home matchup against a team with the faintest of postseason hopes
7. Stefan Frei, TOR – One of the few bright spots in another disappointing season north of the border
8. Will Hesmer, CLB – Crew still have a shot at the first seed in the East, and Hesmer needs to be spot-on to avoid a hiccup against the Fire
9. Pat Onstad, HOU – Has a good home matchup against a team he's mastered throughout his career
10. Nick Rimando, RSL – Won't have an easy go of it going against Juan Pablo Angel and Thierry Henry at RBA, but he's been known to come up big in big games

DEFENDERS

1. Brandon McDonald, SJ – Has the best matchup of the week…
2. Jason Hernandez, SJ – …and the Earthquakes won't have to worry about Andy Najar, who is suspended because of card accumulation
3. Sean Franklin, LA – Attacking potential makes him a no-brainer each week
4. Omar Gonzalez, LA – Will be tested by Danny Mwanga and Sebastien Le Toux, but Galaxy D is showing signs of a nice rebound
5. James Riley, SEA – Sounders defense has really come together in the absence of Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, and Riley has contributed a bit offensively with four assists
6. Heath Pearce, DAL – Tied with Franklin for most assists by a defender (six)
7. Geoff Cameron, HOU – Looks to finish out the season strong with the eyes of U.S. Soccer upon him
8. Andy Iro, CLB – His three goals are tied with Jamison Olave for most among defenders
9. Jonathan Bornstein, CHV – Solid matchup for the Goats, who only have four games remaining with Bornstein
10. Jimmy Conrad, KC – Two matches this week for the Wizards, who are in must-win mode.

MIDFIELDERS

1. Chris Wondolowski, SJ – Has a stellar matchup in which he can add to his already mind-boggling goal total
2. David Ferreira, DAL – MVP candidate has four assists and a PK in his last three matches
3. Sebastien Le Toux, PHI – Tough matchup for Le Toux, but he's earned the right to be a weekly must-start
4. Steve Zakuani, SEA – Having a tremendous season and is in the best form of his young career
5. Geovanni, SJ – DP should have plenty of chances to create for the Earthquakes against a shorthanded D.C. defense
6. Javier Morales, RSL – Has proven to be a real difference maker for the Salt Lake attack
7. Dwayne De Rosario, TOR – Doesn't have the postseason to play for, but he seems to be on a personal mission to secure a pay raise; Has scored goals in his last three matches
8. Brad Davis, HOU – Can't question the effort of Davis, who has a goal and three assists in his last four matches
9. Freddie Ljungberg, CHI – Has shown flashes of the '09 Ljungberg and has two matches this week to pad his season stats
10. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, CLB – How much will he play after going the full 90 in the Open Cup final? Is a risky play, but is also tough to bench
11. Brek Shea, DAL – Gets a chance to show what he can do against Colorado before joining USMNT
12. Michael Stephens, LA – If he's bounced back from hitting the rookie wall, look out
13. Bobby Convey, SJ – Has the opportunity to burn his former team in the mismatch of the week
14. Ryan Smith, KC – Two matches this week for Smith, who has goals in two of his last three matches
15. David Beckham, LA – Well look who's here? If you've kept him on your roster this whole season for some reason, he's worth a look this week after getting the start and displaying his trademark free kick in the Super Clasico

FORWARDS

1. Edson Buddle, LA – Is his early season form returning? Buddle has two goals in his last four games
2. Landon Donovan, LA – Top-scoring MFLS forward should have his way with the Union
3. Kei Kamara, KC – Two matches this week for Kamara including one against Chicago, whom he burned for a brace earlier in the year
4. Juan Pablo Angel, NY – With the scene shifted from Rio Tinto to Red Bull Arena, Angel & Co. search for a better result while jockeying for best possible playoff position
5. Blaise Nkufo, SEA – With Fredy Montero struggling to find the back of the net, Nkufo has picked up the slack with five goals in his last three games
6. Alvaro Saborio, RSL – Has a goal and an assist in his last three matches and should be a handful for Tim Ream and the NY back line
7. Thierry Henry, NY – If he's healthy and starting for Hans Backe, he should be starting for you as well
8. Justin Braun, CHV – Potential USMNT future call-up could build on his strong season with goal No. 10 against Toronto
9. Omar Cummings, COL – It's hard to imagine benching Cummings considering how he's been playing, but his matchup at Dallas is not a favorable one
10. Dominic Oduro, HOU – With Brian Ching done for the year, Oduro becomes the focal point up top for the Dynamo, which has a nice matchup with former MLS Cup nemesis New England.

COACHES

1. Frank Yallop, SJ
2. Bruce Arena, LA
3. Schellas Hyndman, DAL
4. Sigi Schmid, SEA
5. Peter Vermes, KC
6. Dom Kinnear, HOU
7. Robert Warzycha, CLB
8. Hans Backe, NY
9. Jason Kreis, RSL
10. Carlos de los Cobos, CHI

Soccer By Ives League Standings (Top 10)
1. I <3 MLS………………………………………..711 points
2. FC Byrd Turgler…………………………….696
3. Cpt. Pancakes and Lt. Waffles……..693
4. Yankee Racers……………………………..688
5. Skillz………………………………………………685
6. Campione……………………………………..682
7. The Lanark Ave Creepers……………..639
8. ShaggyReAL………………………………….623
9. Timbers4Ever………………………………..621
10. CleartheBall………………………………..611

LAST WEEK'S SBI LEAGUE TOP SCORER

GoGalaxy (50 points)

——————————–Ricketts(3)——————————-
—-Borchers(6)—————-Pearce(5)—————-Wynne(4)—-
—Morales(7)—-De Rosario(3)—-Najar(3)—-Wondolowski(-5)—
—-Cummings(11)————-Buddle(5)————–Saborio(5)—-

Coach: De Los Cobos(3)

Soccer By Ives Prediction League Standings (Top 10)
1. FC Byrd Turgler……………………..462 points
2. The Cool Hands……………………456
3. I <3 MLS…………………………………450
4. Ludacris Speed…………………….429
5. Sonnenhof…………………………….427
6. Orange Meance…………………….426
7. Artichokers……………………………421
8. UTGunners…………………………..418
9. Deportivo Bella Vista…………….416
10. Jewel of MLS Fantasy…………415

LAST WEEK'S SBI PREDICTION LEAGUE TOP SCORER

Houston Hurricane Ikes (34 points: 2 exact, 1 correct margin, 1 blowout, 1 tie, 3 correct)

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Is your team affected by the international schedule at all? Who do you think is in for the biggest week? What's your lineup looking like?

Share your thoughts below.