Olsen’s plans for international call-ups

Several United players are expected to miss time on international duty this season

February 9, 2012

Nicolas Fernandez / dcunited.com

Bill Hamid, Andy Najar, Perry Kitchen

As the Black-and-Red work towards the start of their 17th MLS season, United's technical staff is already thinking about the challenges that lie ahead, beginning with national team duty. With such an internationally rich squad, United is expected to miss several of its starting players, as they are called-upon to represent their countries in Olympic and World Cup qualifying matches this year.

Last night, United Head Coach Ben Olsen had a meeting with Luis Fernando Suarez, Head Coach of the Honduran National Team. Both coaches sat down to address Andy Najar's future call-ups, as Honduras prepares to face Panama, Mexico and Trinidad & Tobago in Olympic qualifiers in March. Honduras will also take on Canada and Panama in June, during the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers.

Andy Najar playing for Honduras
Mike Stobe/Getty Images

"The meeting went well," said United Head Coach Ben Olsen. "We know what Honduras means to Andy, and we definitely want to see him succeed with his national team. However, there will be times when we will need him to remain with us, but he will always get the same treatment as our other players who receive international call-ups."

United expects to miss several other players besides Najar during 2012. Goalkeeper Bill Hamid, midfielder Perry Kitchen and defender Ethan White are all possible targets to be called-up by Head Coach Caleb Porter, as the U.S. U-23 Men's National Team begins 2012 Olympic qualifying.

Canadians Dwayne De Rosario and Dejan Jakovic are also likely to represent their country, as Canada kicks-off the third round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers against Cuba and Honduras in June.

United's designated players Branko Boskovic [Montenegro] and Hamdi Salihi [Albania] are also expected to miss action this season. The Montenegrin National Team will face San Marino and Poland in 2014 World Cup qualifiers in September, while Albania will do the same against Cyprus and Switzerland during the same month.

Throughout preseason, Olsen and GM Dave Kasper have stressed the depth the team has added in the last few months. With the additions of Danny Cruz, Marcelo Saragosa, Nick DeLeon in the midfield, Robbie Russell and Emiliano Dudar in the back and Maicon Santos and Salihi up top, among others, the technical staff believe they have positioned the team to succeed should international absences occur throughout the season.