Costa Rica Head Coach Oscar Ramirez has named Francisco Calvo and Johan Venegas of Minnesota United as members of the national team to compete in the Central American Cup (UNCAF) this Jan. 13-22 in Panama.
Ranked 17 in the World FIFA Rankings, Costa Rica recently defeated the United States in San Jose, Costa Rica, by a massive scoreline of 4-0 in a 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match. Venegas scored the first goal in that match, heading home a Cristian Bolanos cross at the near bar.
"I feel really excited and really happy about the call up," Venegas said. "I know it's going to be a hard tournament, but we are Costa Rica and we have to work hard and do our best on the field to win the UNCAF."
Venegas has accumulated a total of 30 caps for the Costa Rica National Team, while Calvo has made 17 appearances on the senior squad and four with the U20 team. An attacking defender, Calvo scored once with the U20 squad. Venegas plays higher up the pitch and has been productive in front of net with six goals for Costa Rica.
"I'm really happy," Calvo said. "When the national team calls you up, it's an honor and a great thing for a soccer player."
Venegas and Calvo will join their teammates at MNUFC for preseason training following their international stint. The new season kicks off on March 3, with the inaugural home match taking place on March 12. Find season tickets today at MNUFC.COM.
The complete list of Costa Rica UNCAF selections can be found here:
Goalkeepers: Patrick Pemberton (Alajuelense), Danny Carvajal (Saprissa), Leonel Moreira (Herediano)
Defenders: Michael Umaña (Alajuelense), Johnny Acosta (Herediano) Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Allan Miranda (Herediano), Jamir Ordain (Santos), Pedro Leal (Carmelita), Christopher Meneses (Alajuelense), Pablo Salazar (Herediano) Juan Pablo Vargas (Belén FC).
Midfielders: Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Elias Aguilar (Herediano), Ulises Segura (Saprissa), Marvin Angulo (Saprissa), David Guzman (Portland Timbers), Osvaldo Rodriguez (Santos), Gerson Torres (Herediano / America), Deyver Vega (SK Brann).
Forwards: Johan Venegas (Minnesota United), José Guillermo Ortiz (DC United), John Jairo Ruiz (Red Star Belgrade).
