Houston Dynamo defender Adolfo Machado has been called up to the Panama national team for March World Cup qualifying matches, head coach Hernan Dario Gomez announced Thursday.
Machado is part of a 24-man roster set to face Trinidad & Tobago and the United States on March 24 and 28, respectively, as part of the hexagonal round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. Panama has four points and is in third place in the final group after two games played, with a win on the road in Honduras and a draw at home against Mexico.
Panama visits Trinidad & Tobago at Hasely Crawford Stadium on Friday, March 24. Los Canaleros then play host to the U.S. at Estadio Rommel Fernández on Tuesday, March 28. That match will be broadcast on beIN Sports.
Machado made his Dynamo and MLS debut on Saturday, March 4 in a 2-1 win against Seattle Sounders FC. He started and played the full 90 minutes in central defense. For Panama, the 32-year-old has earned 65 caps and has started seven of the team's eight World Cup qualifying matches.
Panama National Team Roster
GOALKEEPERS: Jose Calderon, Jaime Penedo
DEFENDERS: Felie Baloy, Harold Cummings, Eric Davis, Fidel Escobar, Adolfo Machado, Michael Murillo, Luis Ovalle, Roman Torres
MIDFIELDERS: Ricardo Ávila, Edgar Yoel Barcenas, Miguel Camargo, Armando Cooper, Anibal Godoy, Gabriel Gomez, Amilcar Henriquez, Josiel Nuñez, Alberto Quintero
FORWARDS: Abdiel Arroyo, Blas Perez, Tony Taylor, Luis Tejada, Gabriel Torres
