Marvin Loria called up by Costa Rica U-23s for Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament

The Portland Timbers announced today that midfielder Marvin Loria has been included on the roster for Costa Rica’s men’s U-23 side that is set to compete in the Concacaf Men’s Olympic Qualifying tournament this month, running from March 18–30 in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Loria, while technically turning 24 next month, is one of many overage players who were granted an extra year of eligibility because of the 2020 Olympic Summer games being postponed to 2021. Having made numerous appearances on youth sides for Los Ticos, he earned his first senior team cap in 2019, as of now his only senior national team appearance.

He will be part of a Costa Rica U-23 side, which has not qualified for an Olympic games since 2004. The team shares a group with the United States, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, and is sure to be in the mix for advancing out of the group and claiming one of the two automatic qualifying berths by reaching the tournament final.

As it relates to the Timbers, Loria will miss Portland’s preseason stint in Tucson. It remains to be seen how his call-up will impact his availability for Portland’s first and second legs in the Concacaf Champions League round of sixteen against CD Marathon. The first leg is scheduled for April 6, and there is chance that Loria could miss that match due to COVID quarantining protocols upon returning to the Timbers squad, as may have been set to be the case for a contingent of players for the United States, who were subsequently not selected for their preliminary roster as a result.

You can read the full press release from the Timbers here.