SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and midfielder Marvin Chavez have been called to Honduras national team duty ahead of a pair of 2014 World Cup qualifiers. The Hondurans face two away fixtures - the first against Costa Rica on June 7. The team travels to Salt Lake City for a match against the U.S. Men's National Team in front of an already sold-out crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium on June 18.
Bernardez, 30, has a total of 64 career caps with Los Catrachos. He started for Honduras in a 2-2 draw against Mexico on March 22 and played all 90 minutes in the 2-0 loss against Panama on March 26. The 2012 MLS Best XI selection has been a mainstay on the back line for his home country during the qualification process. He started each of Honduras’ six games in group play during the third round of CONCACAF qualifying, scoring a goal in a 3-0 win against Cuba on Sept. 7, 2012.
Chavez, 29, has four goals in 30 appearances for his country. He played in two matches during the third round of qualifying and also scored in Los Catrachos’ 3-0 win against Cuba. The speedy winger recently scored his first goal this season for the Earthquakes, a dramatic equalizer against the Colorado Rapids on May 18.
Due to their national team participation, Bernardez and Chavez will miss the Earthquakes’ June 15 away match against the Colorado Rapids. Both will return with the Earthquakes for their June 22 match at D.C. United.
HONDURAN NATIONAL TEAM ROSTER:
GOALKEEPERS (4): Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Kevin Hernandez (Real Espana), Jose Mendoza (Unsigned).
DEFENDERS (8): Arnold Peralta (Vida), Bryan Beckeles (Olimpia), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Osman Chavez (Wisla Cracovia), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua), Jose David Velasquez (Victoria), Juan Carlos Garcia (Olimpia), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic).
MIDFIELDERS (10): Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic), Luis Garrido (Estrella Roja), Jorge Claros (Hibernian), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Orlin Peralta (Vida), Boniek García (Houston Dynamo), Marvin Chavez (San Jose Earthquakes), Mario Martinez (Seattle Sounders), Diego Reyes (Real Sociedad), Andy Najar (Anderlecht).
FORWARDS (5): Jerry Bengtson (New England Revolution), Carlo Costly (Veria FC, Grecia), Jerry Palacios (Liga Deportiva Alajuelense), Rony Martínez (Real Sociedad), Roger Rojas (Olimpia)
