International Roundup | Pair Compete in World Cup Qualification
New York City Football Club are well underway with preseason as the squad traveled to Cancun, Mexico, this week. While preparations for the team’s next friendly game continue two members of our squad were participating in World Cup Qualifiers with their respective national teams. Here’s a round-up of how they got on.
Alexander Callens – Peru
The 29-year-old was once again called up by Ricardo Gareca for a pair of vital fixtures against Colombia and Ecuador.
Traveling to Colombia for their first fixture, Callens played the full 90 minutes as Peru ran out 1-0 winners in Barranquilla thanks to a goal from D.C. United’s Edison Flores.
Named in the starting XI again four days later for the visit of Ecuador, this time Peru were held to a 1-1 draw. Those results leave Callens and his teammates fifth in the group, one point behind Uruguay, and on course for a playoff spot.
Next up for Peru is a meeting with Uruguay in the next round of fixtures, with Peru finishing their qualification campaign with a home game against Paraguay.
Sean Johnson – United States of America
NYCFC Club Captain Sean Johnson jetted off for a trio of important World Cup Qualifiers as Gregg Berhalter’s men looked to cement their spot near the top of their qualification group.
Although an unused substitute in all three games, Johnson did watch on as his teammates started with a 1-0 victory against El Salvador in Columbus, Ohio.
They followed that up with an unfortunate 2-0 defeat on the road to Canada a few days later but recovered well to secure another three points on Wednesday against Honduras.
That 3-0 success left the USMNT in second place ahead of their final three games of qualifying in March, as they aim to return to World Cup participation.
