SAN JOSE, Calif. –
San Jose Earthquakes defender Kip Colvey has been called to the New Zealand National Team for the upcoming Oceania Football Confederation Nations Cup. It marks his first call-up to New Zealand’s senior team after previously spending time with the U-17s and U-23s. The tournament will serve as the second round of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup for countries within the OFC.
Following a preparation training camp in Brisbane, Australia from May 14-24, the New Zealand All Whites will travel to Port Moseby, Papua New Guinea for the competition from May 25 to June 11.
New Zealand’s opening match of the tournament is on May 29 against Fiji, followed by matches on June 1 against Vanuatu and June 5 against the Solomon Islands. The semifinals will take place on June 8, with the cup final scheduled for June 11.
New Zealand has won four of the nine OFC Nations Cups to date, most recently in 2008, while finishing at least third in eight of the competitions.
Colvey, 22, was selected by the Earthquakes in the third round (No. 49 overall) of the 2016 MLS SuperDraft out of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. He has appeared in four games (three starts) and tallied one assist so far during his rookie season. Colvey has previously helped the Kiwis reach the Round of 16 at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup in Mexico and appeared for the U-23s at the 2015 Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Papua New Guinea.
