The San Jose Earthquakes may not have a match this weekend, but that won’t stop several of its players from seeing game action. Forward Chris Wondolowski, goalkeeper David Bingham and midfielders Fatai Alashe, Simon Dawkins, Anibal Godoy and Alberto Quintero will all represent their respective nations in meaningful competition this Friday and next Tuesday.
“I’m always happy to see our players get a chance to represent their national teams,” said Earthquakes head coach Dominic Kinnear. “I think it’s a sign that they’re playing well for their club.
“To see them play international games makes you proud, especially for the United States guys. If they can help push the U.S. to the World Cup, it helps bring a greater spotlight to the league.”
Wondolowski, 33, and Bingham, 26, will do just that, suiting up for the red, white and blue in a pair of matches against Guatemala as part of qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The U.S., Guatemala, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines are attempting to move on from Group C.
Time:
Friday, March 25 (7 p.m. PT)
Location:
Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala
Television:
beIN Sport, NBC Universo
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (4 p.m. PT)
Location:
MAPFRE Stadium in Columbus, Ohio
Television:
ESPN2, UniMas
Alashe, 22, will also fight to help the United States appear on the global stage, playing for the U-23s in their two-leg Olympic Qualifying Playoff against Colombia. The winner of the home-and-away series claims the one spot available at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio.
Time:
Friday, March 25 (2 p.m. PT)
Location:
Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia
Television:
FS1
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (6:30 p.m. PT)
Location:
Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas
Television:
ESPN2
Dawkins, 28, will join Jamaica for a pair of World Cup Qualifying matches against Costa Rica. The experienced midfielder has 19 caps under his belt, scoring three goals. Jamaica, Costa Rica, Panama and Haiti are hoping to advance to Round Five from Group B.
Time:
Friday, March 25 (5 p.m. PT)
Location:
Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (7 p.m. PT)
Location:
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose, Costa Rica
Speaking of Panama, Godoy, 26, and Quintero, 28, will likely play vital roles for the Central American nation in their contests against Haiti. The two midfielders have earned a combined 129 caps for the Panama National Team, scoring five goals.
Time:
Friday, March 25 (4 p.m. PT)
Location:
Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince, Haiti
Time:
Tuesday, March 29 (6:30 p.m. PT)
Location:
Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama City, Panama
For a full schedule of North America, Central America and Caribbean qualifying, complete with standings, click
here
.
