David Guzman, Andy Polo Called Up to International Friendlies

Portland Timbers Football Club today confirmed the call ups of midfielders David Guzman and Andy Polo to the Costa Rican and Peruvian national teams, respectively. Both nations will play friendlies on March 23rd and 27th, meaning Guzman and Polo will be unavailable for the Timbers’ March 24th MLS fixture against FC Dallas.

Costa Rica will travel to Europe to face Scotland (in Glasgow, Scotland) and Tunisia (in Nice, France). Guzman has 42 senior caps with Costa Rica since 2010, including playing a role in their 2018 World Cup qualification.

Peru’s travel, on the other hand, will keep Polo domestic as they face Croatia in Miami, Florida followed by a return to Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey to face Iceland. Polo has earned 15 senior caps and scored one goal with Peru since 2016, including featuring in both matches of their World Cup Qualifying Playoff versus New Zealand last fall.

Guzman has two starts in two games with the Timbers this season. As such, his absence creates questions for new coach Giovanni Savarese whose answers largely depend on if Diego Chara is match fit. Both Lawrence Olum and Christhian Paredes have also started at the holding midfield position this season, and one or both of them will likely feature against Dallas.

Andy Polo started for the Timbers in their opening match against LA Galaxy, but did not feature in last weekend’s rout at the hands of the New York Red Bulls. Winger Dairon Asprilla started opposite Sebastian Blanco in Harrison and will likely retain his starting spot in Dallas on the 24th.

Both players should be available for the Timbers’ March 31st match against the Chicago Fire.