Most of Los Angeles Football Club’s players were able to use the international break to rest, get healthy and prepare for the homestretch of the MLS season (or all of the above). But not Portuguese midfielder Andre Horta.



Horta, who started his second match for LAFC in a road game against Toronto FC right before the break, joined Portugal’s U-21 team for two matches against Romania and Wales. He played in the second game, going a full 90 minutes against the Welsh and scoring a strong, two-touch goal from just outside of the box.



It was the kind of moment LAFC has pined for since the expansion team acquired Horta from Portuguese side Benfica. But the goal, as important as it was for his confidence, wasn’t the highlight of his trip.



The best part of the 10 days that the LAFC designated player spent in his home country were the fleeting hours he got to spend with his support network back home in Portugal.



“I think...