SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and midfielder Marvin Chavez have been named to the Honduras national team ahead of two upcoming 2014 World Cup Qualifiers against Cuba.
Los Catrachos will first travel to Havana to take on Cuba at Estadio Panamericano on Friday, Sept. 7. Next up is a trip back to Honduras to host Cuba at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Both Chavez and Bernardez suited up for Honduras in a 2-0 win against Boca Juniors on Aug. 15 at Miami’s SunLife Stadium. Chavez scored his country’s second goal in that match, finding the net in the 88th minute.
Bernardez previously featured in World Cup Qualifiers against Canada and Panama in June and has earned 54 caps with Los Catrachos to date. He has been a key piece on the Quakes’ back line this season. The club is 10-4-3 with the center back in their starting lineup. He has been on the field for each of San Jose’s five shutouts and scored a pivotal goal just before halftime to spark a memorable 4-3 comeback win against the LA Galaxy on June 30 at Stanford Stadium.
Chavez has three goals in 28 appearances with Honduras. The speedy winger is tied for No. 5 in MLS with nine assists in his first season with the Earthquakes. He scored his first goal with San Jose in a 2-1 win against FC Dallas on July 18. Chavez joined the Earthquakes on Dec. 16, 2011 after a trade with FC Dallas for allocation money.
Honduras National Team Roster
Goalkeepers: Noel Valladares (CD Olimpia), Donis Escober (CD Olimpia), Jose Mendoza (CD Marathon)
Defenders: Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic FC), Mauricio Sabillon (CD Marathon), Osman Chavez (Wisla Krakow), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Jose Velasquez Colon (CD Victoria), Maynor Figueroa (Wigan Athletic FC), Juan Carlos Garcia (CD Olimpia)
Midfielders: Arnold Peralta (CDS VIDA), Marvin Chavez (San Jose Earthquake), Wilmer Fuentes (CD Marathon), Roger Espinoza (Sporting Kansas City), Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Edder Delgado (Real Espana), Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Mario Martinez (Seattle Sounders FC), Orlin Peralta (CDS Vida), Jorge Claros (Hibernian FC)
Forwards: Jerry Bengston (New England Revolution), Roger Rojas (CD Olimpia), Georgie Welcome (CD Motagua), Robbie Norales (CD Motagua)
