COLUMBUS – The Columbus Crew announced today that defenders Giancarlo Gonzalez and Waylon Francis have been called-up for National Team duty ahead of Costa Rica’s upcoming friendly match. Under Head Coach Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica is hosting Paraguay on Wednesday, March 5. Following the contest, both players are expected to join the Crew for the club’s 2014 MLS season-opening match on Saturday March 8 at D.C. United.
For Gonzalez, it is his first call-up since joining the Black & Gold last week. The centerback enters the international friendly with 31 total caps for Costa Rica to his name dating back to his debut against Peru in a friendly on October 9, 2010. Across his 31 international appearances, Gonzalez has seen time in 10 friendlies, three CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, four Copa Centroamerica tilts and 14 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. He most recently started in the 2-1 win for Los Ticos over Mexico on October 16, 2013. Gonzalez also represented his country on two occasions at the Under-20 level.
This is also the first call-up for Francis since joining the Crew on November 26, 2013. Francis earned his first – and only – career cap in group play of the 2013 Copa Centroamericana in the 2-0 win against Nicaragua on January 20, 2013 en route to Costa Rica’s seventh title, which launched the national side to the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The Crew begins the 2014 season at D.C. United on Saturday, March 8. Before then, the club continues preparation during preseason training in Orlando, Florida. For more information on catching the Black & Gold in 2014 – visit TheCrew.com/tickets.
