MLS: 17 Major League Soccer players to expect at the 2018 World Cup

ORLANDO, FL - MAY 06: Orlando City defender Yoshimar Yotun (19) celebrates after scoring a goal during the soccer match between the Orlando City Lions and Real Salt Lake on May 6, 2018 at Orlando City Stadium in Orlando FL. Photo by Joe Petro/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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BRONDBY, DENMARK – MARCH 22: Adolfo Machado of Panama during the international friendly match between Denmark and Panama at Brondby Stadion on March 22, 2018 in Brondby, Denmark. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /

8. Adolfo Machado, Houston Dynamo, Panama

Machado, 33, will be one of the oldest players in Russia. Machado has 72 appearances for Panama, playing in 7 of 10 World Cup Qualifying matches. Leading Panama into the first World Cup as an international finale would be the perfect ending to a whirlwind career that was interrupted by a PED suspension. Since coming to MLS, Machado has tried to embrace the chances he has been given. Per the Dynamo’s official site:

"“I am very thankful to God for the opportunity of being named to Panama’s provisional roster for the World Cup in Russia. I am waiting for the final roster to see if I can go and represent my country. “"

It also sounds like Machado is thinking of joining the Panama National Team in a coaching capacity once his contract runs out.

"“We will be able to share that with the young players that will fight for a spot for Qatar in 2022,” Machado said. “We will be able to share that experience, we will be able to talk about how we suffered, and we came out so that we could fulfill our objective.”"

More Egypt coming at No. 7.

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