Will Johnson, Rodney Wallace, and Frederic Piquionne Called Up for Gold Cup

The Portland Timbers will have to make do without three of their core players through much of July as Will Johnson, Rodney Wallace, and Frederic Piquionne have been called up for their respective national teams participating in this year's Gold Cup.

Will Johnson, of course, will be playing for the Canadian men's national team and is expected to depart for his national training camp this Sunday. Johnson and his Canadian team will open the tournament in Los Angeles at the Rose Bowl when they take on Martinique.

Speaking of Martinique, despite being capped by France, Frederic Piquionne will play for the small Caribbean nation during this year's Gold Cup. Apparently, Martinique is not officially recognized by FIFA so the French/Caribbean striker is eligible to play for both. Kind of cool.

Finally, Rodney Wallace will rejoin his Costa Rican side. Costa Rica open their Gold Cup right here in Portland on July 9th against Cuba in the game just prior to the USMNT's opener. Whether he's used or not depends on the coach though something tells me he'll see at least some time in his home stadium. It should also give Portland-area soccer fans an additional reason to watch the Costa Rica - Cuba game.

What do you think about Will Johnson, Wallace and Piquionne playing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup?