Four Houston Dynamo players have been called in by their respective national federations ahead of next month’s round of FIFA World Cup Qualifying matches, the club announced today.
Forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto, as well as midfielder Boniek García, were called up by the National Autonomous Federation of Football of Honduras (FENAFUTH); and defender Adolfo Machado was called up by the Federación Panameña de Futbol (FEPAFUT).
García has already joined the Honduran team for training, while Elis and Quioto are expected to join the squad on Sunday. Machado is also expected to join Panama for training on Sunday.
Honduras will face Trinidad & Tobago on Sept. 1 in Port of Spain, Trinidad before returning home to host the United States on Sept. 5 in San Pedro Sula. Los Catrachos are looking to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup, a feat which has never been accomplished in Honduran soccer history. Panama will visit Mexico at Estadio Azteca on Sept. 1 and will host Trinidad & Tobago in Panama City on Sept. 5.
García ranks fourth in Honduran National Team history with 123 career caps and has three goals for the national team. Quioto has appeared in 32 matches for his country and has six goals, four of which have come in 2018 World Cup Qualifying play. At age 21, Elis has already represented his country 22 times and has scored four goals, including two in FIFA World Cup Qualifying action.
In their first season with the Dynamo, Elis and Quioto have both proven to be integral parts to one of Major League Soccer’s most dangerous attacks. Elis is third on the Dynamo scoring with seven goals and four assists, while Quioto is fourth with five goals and two assists. García is tied for second on the club’s all-time assists chart with 31.
Machado made his international debut in a 1-0 win at Guatemala on June 1, 2008, playing the full 90 minutes. During his tenure with Los Canaleros, he has earned 70 caps and has scored one goal. In 2016, he was a member of the first Panama squad to play in Copa America. Machado wore the captain’s armband against Chile in that tournament.
Machado is the only Dynamo player to have played in every game this season; and he joins New York City defender Alexander Callens as the only field players in MLS to have played every minute for their club this season. Machado’s 168 clearances this season are the most by any player in the league this season.
Following this round of World Cup Qualifying matches, the Dynamo will host the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, Sept. 9 at BBVA Compass Stadium at 7:30 p.m. CDT. Tickets for that game all regular season games start at $25 and are on sale now at HoustonDynamo.com, by phone at 713-276-GOAL and at the BBVA Compass Stadium box office.
