Columbus Crew Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter confirmed earlier this evening that defender Waylon Francis, one of 26 players called into the Costa Rican National Team's preliminary roster ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, is set to depart for Los Ticos' camp tomorrow, Wednesday, May 14.
Francis joins defender Michael Parkhurst (United States) as Crew players expected to miss Saturday's match through National Team duty. However, fellow Costa Rica nominee Giancarlo Gonzalez will remain with the Crew through Saturday's match at Portland (10:30 p.m. ET / Time Warner Cable SportsChannel).
“Although we’re going to sorely miss him, we believe it’s the right thing to do for [Francis] to put him in position [to make the team],” said Berhalter.
Final rosters are due for each squad by June 2. Costa Rica opens the tournament on Saturday, June 14 vs. Uruguay.
