Jose Contreras (white jersey) was called up to Guatemala for a pair of World Cup qualifiers in September 2016. (Photo: Mexsport)
GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Guatemala head coach Walter Claveri announced Thursday a 23-player roster to contest a pair of key fourth round qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The third-place Guatemalans (2W-0D-2L, 6 points) will face Group C table-topper Trinidad & Tobago (3-1-0, 10 points) and last-place St. Vincent & the Grenadines (0-0-4, 0) on September 2 (away) and September 6 (home), respectively. The United States (2-1-1, 7) sits in second place.
Guatemalan power Comunicaciones contributed eight players to the selection, including Rafael Morales, who scored in a 2-0 win against the U.S. on March 25, 2016.
Additionally, despite not having a club, 36-year-old forward Carlos Ruiz – the team’s all-time leading scorer with 61 goals – received a call-up.
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Jose Carlos Garcia (Xelaju MC), Ricardo Jerez (Alianza Petrolera/Colombia), Paulo Motta (Municipal)
DEFENDERS: Eddy Aragon (Marquense), Moises Hernandez (Rayo Oklahoma City/USA), Cristian Jimenez (Municipal), Wilson Lalin (Comunicaciones), Hamilton Lopez (Xelaju MC), Carlos Mejia (Comunicaciones), Rafael Morales (Comunicaciones), Jeffrey Payeras (LA Galaxy II/USA)
MIDFIELDERS: Jorge Aparicio (Comunicaciones), Jairo Arreola (Comunicaciones), Jose Contreras (Comunicaciones), Jose Mario Morales (Malacateco), Marco Pappa (Colorado Rapids), Jean Marquez (Comunicaciones), Rodrigo Saravia (Columbus Crew/USA)
FORWARDS: Mario Castellanos (Coban Imperial), Edi Danilo Guerra (Municipal), Victor Matta (Municipal), Carlos Ruiz (no club), Gerson Tinoco (Comunicaciones)
