MLSPA NewsMay 24, 2018

MLS Players Named to World Cup Rosters


With the World Cup fast approaching, teams have finalized their rosters. The MLS will be well represented in Russia, with 19 players from 6 different countries making their nation's 23-man squad. Learn more about the players who have the opportunity to represent their country. 

COSTA RICA



Francisco Calvo Defender, Minnesota United FC       


Francisco Calvo joined Minnesota in 2017 after a season with Deportivo Saprissa. He previously played for Herediano, Perez Zeledon and Santos Guapiles in Costa Rica, and Nordsjaelland in Denmark.

Calvo was a starter in Costa Rica's World Cup qualifying round appearances and has earned 17 caps for his country.

Follow Francisco on Twitter


Ronald Matarrita  Defender, New York City FC    


Ronald Matarrita transferred from Alajulense to NYCFC in 2016. 

Matarrita has represented Costa Rica at the U17, U20 and U22 level, scoring two goals in 18 total appearances. 

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Rodney Wallace Midfielder, New York City FC                                       


Rodney Wallace was drafted 6th overall in the 2009 Super Draft by DC United. He joined the Portland Timbers from 2011-2015, then returned to the MLS with NYCFC in 2017 after playing in Portugal and Brazil. 

Wallace has represented Costa Rica since 2011, appearing in 24 games and tallying three goals. 

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David Guzman Midfielder, Portland Timbers                                          


David Guzman was transferred to the Timbers from Saprissa in 2016. 

Guzman has made 25 appearances for Costa Rica since debuting on the senior team in 2010. 

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Kendall Waston Defender, Vancouver Whitecaps FC     


Kendall Waston signed with the Whitecaps in 2014, and earned a career high four goals for the team in 2017. 

Waston played for Costa Rica at the youth international level before going on to tally three goals in 17 appearances for the senior team. 

Follow Kendall on Twitter and Instagram


Marco Urena Forward, Los Angeles FC                                         


Marco Urena spent the 2017 season with the San Jose Earthquakes before being drafted 3rd overall in the expansion draft by LAFC. 

Urena has represented Costa Rica at the U-17, U-20 and senior levels. He has recorded 15 goals in 60 appearances for his country. 

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EGYPT



Omar Gaber Defender/Midfielder Los Angeles FC                             


Omar Gaber joined LAFC on loan from FC Basel in 2017. 

Gaber has made 18 appearances for Egypt, including at the U20 and U23 level and most recently in five 2018 World Cup qualifying games. 

Follow Omar on Twitter and Instagram

MEXICO



Giovani dos Santos Midfielder/Forward LA Galaxy


Giovani dos Santos transferred to the Galaxy from Villarreal in 2015. 

Dos Santos has extensive history representing Mexico on the international stage. In 102 appearances for his country he has scored 18 goals and won three Gold Cup titles, an Olympic gold medal in 2012, and the 2005 U17 World Cup.  

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Jonathan dos Santos Midfielder, LA Galaxy    


Jonathan dos Santos joined his brother, Giovani, in transferring from Villarreal to LA Galaxy in 2017. 

Dos Santos has made 29 appearances for Mexico since the age of 19. 

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Carlos Vela Forward, Los Angeles FC     


Carlos Vela signed with LA FC on a transfer from Real Sociedad in 2017. 

Vela has appeared in 63 games for Mexico and was a part of the 2010 World Cup squad. He has scored 18 goals for his country. 

Follow Carlos on Twitter and Instagram

 

PANAMA



Adolfo Machado Defender, Houston Dynamo                     


Adolfo Machado joined the Dynamo in 2017 after a transfer from Saprissa.

Machado has represented Panama 67 times since making his debut on the U23 team in 2007.

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Harold Cummings Defender, San Jose Earthquakes                                 


Harold Cummings signed with San Jose in 2017, and made his MLS debut in March of 2018. 

Cummings made his first appearance for Panama in 2010 at age 18 and has 46 caps for the national team. 


Fidel Escobar  Defender, New York Red Bulls 


Fidel Escobar joined the Red Bulls on loan from Sporting San Miguelito.

Escobar has represented Panama since 2015, notching four goals for his country. 

Follow Fidel on Twitter.


Michael Murillo Defender, New York Red Bulls           


 Michael Murillo joined the Red Bulls on loan from San Francisco FC in 2017. 

Murillo made his debut for Panama in 2016, and has recorded one goal in 11 appearances for his country. 


Anibal Godoy Midfielder, San Jose Earthquakes                                        

Anibal Godoy signed with San Jose in 2015 after spending time with Budapest Honved FC and Chepo FC. 

Godoy has been a fixture on the Panama national team since 2010, making 54 appearances including the last three CONCACAF Gold Cups.

Follow Anibal on Twitter and Instagram


Roman Torres Defender, Seattle Sounders FC 


Roman Torres joined the Sounders in 2015 after spending the majority of his career with nine different teams in Colombia. 

Torres is a key part of the Panama national team, making more than 100 appearances since 2005, and captaining the 2015 Gold Cup team. 

Follow Roman on Twitter and Instagram

PERU



Andy Polo Midfielder, Portland Timbers             


Andy Polo joined the Timbers on loan from Morelia in 2017.

Polo made his debut for Peru in 2016 and has since appeared in 15 matches and scored one goal. He helped Peru qualify for the 2018 World Cup playing in two playoff games against New Zealand. 


Yoshi Yotun Midfielder, Orlando City SC     


 Yoshi Yotun transferred to Orlando City from Malmo in 2017. 

Yotun has featured on the Peru national team since 2011, and has two goals in 64 appearances. 

Follow Yoshi Instagram

SWEDEN


Gustav Svensson Midfielder/Defender Seattle Sounders FC     


Gustav Svensson signed with the Sounders in 2017 after spending the beginning of his career with clubs in Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine, and China. 

Svensson has made six appearances with the Swedish national team since 2009. 

 

BELGIUM



Laurent Ciman* Defender,  Los Angeles FC


Laurent Ciman spent three seasons with the Montreal Impact before joining LAFC in 2018. 

Ciman debuted for the Belgium Red Devils in 2010, and was a member of their 2014 World Cup roster. 

Follow Laurent on Twitter and Instagram.  

*Ciman is currently on standby for Belgium.