SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez was among 23 players called to Honduras' preliminary World Cup roster by head coach Luis Fernando Suared on Monday.
Bernardez, 31, has 69 career caps with Los Catrachos. He was a part of Honduras’ 2010 World Cup squad and was a mainstay on their backline during the 2014 qualification process. Bernardez is in his third year with the Earthquakes after signing with the club on Dec. 28, 2011 after a three-year stint with Belgian giants RSC Anderlecht. He has five goals and three assists in 56 regular season appearances with the Quakes and was a 2012 MLS Best-XI selection. So far in 2014, he is second on San Jose’s scoring chart with two goals in seven games.
Los Catrachos will play a trio of friendlies in the United States before departing for Brazil. First up is Turkey at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, May 29. Next, they’ll face Israel on Sunday, June 1 at Houston’s BBVA Compass Stadium. Honduras closes its World Cup preparations with England at Miami’s Sun Life Stadium on Saturday, June 7.
Honduras is in Group E along with Switzerland, Ecuador and France at the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Bernardez and his countrymen finished third in the CONCACAF hexagonal, earning their second-straight trip to the World Cup.
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GOALKEEPERS: Noel Valladares (Olimpia), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real España).
DEFENDERS: Arnold Peralta, Rangers (Escocia), Maynor Figueroa, Hull City (Inglaterra), Víctor "Muma" Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic), Osman Chavez (Qingdao Jonoon), Juan Carlos García (Wigan), Bryan Beckeles (Olimpia), Juan Pablo Montes (Motagua).
MIDFIELDERS: Wilson Palacios (Stoke City), Jorge Claros (Motagua), Luis Garrido (Olimpia), Roger Espinoza (Wigan), Boniek García (Houston Dynamo), Andy Nájar (Anderlecht), Marvin Chavez (Colorado Rapids), Mario Martínez (Real España).
FORWARDS: Carlo Costly (Real Espana), Jerry Bengtson (New Englad Revolution), Jerry Palacios (Alajuelense), Rony Martínez (Real Sociedad).
