San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and midfielder Marvin Chavez have been called to the Honduras national team camp ahead of Copa Centroamericana matches and a 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against the United States.
Bernardez, 30, has 58 career caps with Los Catrachos. 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. The 2010 World Cup veteran scored two goals and had one assist in 24 starts for the Earthquakes in 2012, his first season in MLS. He was an MLS Best XI selection and a finalist for MLS Defender of the Year and MLS Newcomer of the Year.
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 was a key piece during San Jose’s Supporters’ Shield run in 2012, recording three goals and a team-best 13 assists in 27 matches.
The Copa Centroamericana serves as a qualifying process for Central America for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Honduras can play up to four matches in the tournament, beginning with El Salvador on January 18 and Panama on January 22 in San Jose, Costa Rica.
San Jose’s duo will stick with the Honduran squad for the team’s World Cup Qualifier against the United States on Wednesday, Feb. 6 at Estadio Olimpico in San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Bernardez and Chavez will join the Earthquakes for preseason training following the match.
Honduras National Team Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Donis Escober (CD Olimpia), Kevin Hernandez (Real Espana), Jose Mendoza (CD Marathon)
DEFENDERS: Brayan Beckeles (CD Olimpia), Wilmer Crisanto (CD Victoria), Juan Carlos Garcia (CD Olimpia), Arnold Peralta (CDS Vida), Jose David Velasquez (CD Victoria), Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Juan Pablo Montes (CD Necaxa)
MIDFIELDERS: Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo), Mario Martinez (Seattle Sounders FC), Marvin Chavez (San Jose Earthquakes), Luis Garrido (CD Olimpia), Miguel Castillo (CD Victoria)
FORWARDS: Jerry Bengston (New England Revolution), Georgie Welcome (CD Motagua), Mitchel Brown (CD Marathon), Junior Lacayo (CD Victoria), Luis Lobo (Real Espana)
