Martinez Called up by Honduras

Sounders FC’s Mario Martinez has been called up by Honduras for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifier against the United States in San Pedro Sula.

The same squad will play in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana matches which are acting as Gold Cup qualifiers.

Martinez, 23, has 22 caps for Honduras, including appearances in four recent World Cup Qualifiers and the 2012 London Olympics.

He made 10 appearances across all competitions for Sounders FC since joining the club in August, and scored the game-winning goal in Seattle’s first round playoff series against Real Salt Lake to help the team advance to its first Western Conference Championship.

His goal also secured Seattle’s first ever win in a MLS play-off round.

Other MLS palyers included are Marvin Chávez, Víctor Bernárdez (both San Jose), Oscar Garcia Boniek (Houston), and Jerry Bengston (New England) but there is no place for newly re-signed Colorado Rapid Hendry Thomas in Luis Fernando Suárez’s squad.

Martinez and the others could play up to four matches in the tournament, beginning with El Salvador on January 18 and Panama on January 22. Depending on the results from the first two matches, Honduras could play additional matches. All the qualifying matches will be played in San Jose, Costa Rica.

See the full squad on the Honduran team website.