D.C. United today announced that captain Dwayne De Rosario, defender Dejan Jakovic and midfielder Kyle Porter have been called up by the Canada Men’s National Team for training camp and a friendly on Sept. 8 against Mauritania in Valencia, Spain. Part of a 33-man roster, all three players will depart following United’s Atlantic Cup finale on Aug. 31, and will return Sept. 9.
De Rosario last featured with Canada in January for international friendlies against Denmark on Jan. 26 in Tucson, Ariz., and the United States on Jan. 29 in Houston, TX. Canada’s most-capped player started both matches, playing 61 minutes in the 4-0 loss to Denmark and 81 minutes in the 0-0 draw with the United States. Since his senior team debut at 20-years-old in 1998, De Rosario has made 73 appearances with 20 goals, making him the nation’s all-time leading goal scorer.
Acquired from the New York Red Bulls on June 27, 2011, De Rosario went on to be named the 2011 MLS MVP and the Budweiser Golden Boot winner in his first season with the Black-and-Red. In 2012, his first full season with United, De Rosario netted seven goals and added 12 assists. This season, United’s captain has notched three goals and one assist in 18 League games, as well as adding five goals during Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play.
Jakovic was most recently called up for two international friendlies in Doha, Qatar, featuring in a 2-1 loss to Japan on March 22, and a 2-0 loss against Belarus on March 25. Jakovic started and went the full 90 minutes in both matches for the Canadian side. Earlier this year, the defender was named Canada Men’s Soccer Player of the Month for January. Jakovic was also a member of the squad that was called up for Canada’s 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches last October. Jakovic has appeared in 16 games for his country since 2008.
Jakovic originally signed with D.C. United on Feb. 27, 2009 from Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) and has become one of the team’s longest-tenured players – only teammate Chris Pontius has played for the Black-and-Red longer. Jakovic has anchored the backline for United in 15 games (14 starts) thus far during the 2013 season.
Porter, who first played with the U-17 Canada National Team, was most recently called up to Canada Men’s National Team for the CONCACAF Gold Cup this July. Porter came on as a substitute in the 62nd minute, in a 2-0 loss to Mexico on July 12 in Seattle, Wash., as well as coming on in the 64th minute on July 14 in a 0-0 draw with Panama in Denver, Colo. Porter has four caps to his name, with his first international appearance coming in a 4-0 loss to Denmark on January 26.
On February 28, 2013, Porter was acquired from Vancouver Whitecaps FC for a second round pick in the 2014 Supplemental Draft. In his first season with the Black-and-Red, the midfielder is fifth on the team in minutes played. Appearing in 22 games (16 starts), Porter has notched one goal and added one assist during his inaugural MLS campaign.
