Five Houston Dynamo players have been called up for international duty by their national federations ahead of the upcoming FIFA international break, the club announced today. The players are all expected to join their respective national teams following the Dynamo’s home game against Minnesota United FC on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Forwards Alberth Elis and Romell Quioto, along with midfielder Boniek García, were called up by the National Autonomous Federation of Football of Honduras (FENAFUTH); defender Adolfo Machado was called up by the Federación Panameña de Futbol (FEPAFUT); and forward Jose Escalante was called up to play for the Honduras Under-22 National Team.
Honduras will face Costa Rica on Oct. 6 in San Jose, Costa Rica before returning home to host Mexico on Oct. 10 in San Pedro Sula. Los Catrachosare looking to qualify for their third consecutive World Cup, a feat which has never been accomplished in Honduran soccer history.
García ranks fourth in Honduran National Team history with 125 career caps and has three goals for the national team. Quioto has appeared in 34 matches for his country and has seven goals, five of which have come in 2018 World Cup Qualifying play. At age 21, Elis has already represented his country 24 times and has scored five goals, including three 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 three assists. García is tied for second on the club’s all-time assists chart with 31.
Panama will play the United States on Oct. 6 in Orlando, Fla. and will host Costa Rica in Panama City on Oct. 10.
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 71 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. He 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 179 clearances this season are the most by any player in the league this season.
Escalante will be representing the Honduras U-22 National Team in Oct. 4 and 7 when they face the China U-22 National Team in China. Escalante captained Honduras at the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he played alongside Elis. Escalante has played in three games for the Houston Dynamo this season and has appeared 19 times for the Dynamo’s USL affiliate, RGV FC, scoring three goals and earning Goal of the Week accolades in Week 19 of the USL season.
Following this round of World Cup Qualifying matches, the Dynamo will play the game that was postponed due to Hurricane Harvey against Sporting Kansas City at 7:30 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at BBVA Compass Stadium. 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.
