The push and pull of the club vs. country debate is coming at an interesting time for Boniek García.
García has been called-up for the Honduran national team’s friendly against Peru on Wednesday evening in his home stadium, BBVA Compass Stadium. Since Wednesday is a FIFA international date, clubs are required to release players when called to duty by their national team.
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While the honor of linking up with his national team in his new hometown was too much to pass up, his involvement in the match is still up in the air as his priorities remain with his club.
“I’m truly excited to have the chance to be with my national team for this game at BBVA Compass Stadium,” García told MLSsoccer.com through a translator on Tuesday. “It means a lot to be in my home stadium, seeing and feeling the support of all the Honduran fans that live in Houston.
“I am, however, more excited and yearning to play during Sunday’s game, which is much more important for me.”
From Houston’s perspective, the lone positive is likely that there is no travel involved for the dynamic midfielder. The level of García’s involvement, however, still lies with his national team coach, Luis Fernando Suárez.
“Probably the best thing about it is they’re playing in Houston,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear told reporters on Tuesday. “We’ll see what his participation is in this game. Hopefully it’s not a whole lot and we’ll find out more as the game comes closer.”
Houston are currently slated to have Thursday off, and García is expected to rejoin the club immediately to prepare for their trip to the nation’s capitol to face D.C. United in the second leg of the Eastern Conference Championship on Sunday.
They lead 3-1 after a convincing second-half performance in the first leg at home, and García hopes to be fresh for the second leg at RFK Stadium.
“Honestly, Sunday’s game against D.C. United is of more interest to me,” he said. “I truly don’t know if I’ll play [Wednesday], but it’s likely that I won’t. I’ve already talked to our head coach, and it’s unlikely that he’ll use me.”
Darrell Lovell covers the Houston Dynamo for MLSsoccer.com.
