The San Jose Earthquakes announced today that midfielder Arturo Alvarez and forward Ryan Johnson were called up to their national teams for international friendlies. Alvarez was named to El Salvador’s roster for their friendly on Sept. 7 against Guatemala in Washington D.C. at RFK Stadium. Ryan Johnson has been named to the roster for the Jamaican national team for two upcoming international friendlies. The first of the two is Sunday, Sept. 5 against Costa Rica at the National Soccer Stadium in Kingston, Jamaica. Johnson and the Reggae Boyz will then travel to take on Peru on Tuesday, Sept. 7 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Alvarez has made seven appearances for El Salvador, making his debut on Aug. 12, 2009 in a World Cup qualifier against Trinidad and Tobago. His last appearance came in the final match of the qualifying round on Oct. 14 in a 1-0 loss to Honduras.
The Houston native scored five goals and tallied a pair of assists in 23 matches in 2009 for the San Jose Earthquakes in his first full season since being re-acquired in 2008. He has scored three goals so far in 2010, including a game-winner in the 90th minute against the Philadelphia Union before a stunned crowd at PPL Park.
Johnson has appeared in six matches for his country, scoring once, which came in a friendly against Argentina in January of this year. The Kingston-born Johnson made his international debut on April 12, 2006 in a friendly with the United States. He last appeared for the Reggae Boyz on Aug. 11 against Trinidad and Tobago.
The 2009 season was a breakout season for Johnson, his second with San Jose. He led the team in goals with 11 in 30 appearances. Johnson won the team’s offensive most valuable player award. He has appeared in 19 matches, making 13 starts in 2010 and has scored one goal and tallied a career-high four assists.
