Romell Quioto (#12) has scored three goals in seven games during Honduras' qualifying campaign for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. (Photo: Adid Jimenez/Straffon Images)
TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – Honduras head coach Jorge Luis Pinto named Monday a 25-player roster for upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Mexico (June 8, away) and Panama (June 13, away).
Olimpia and Real España – both from the Liga Nacional de Fútbol Profesional de Honduras -- are the best represented clubs in the squad with four players each, while newly crowned Honduran champion Motagua and the USA’s Houston Dynamo follow with three.
The squad is highlighted by the inclusion of forward Romell Quioto, who is the team’s top scorer in qualifying with three goals. He is currently second on the Houston Dynamo in goals (5) and assists (2).
Also meriting selection is defender Emilio Izaguirre. This season, the 31-year-old helped Celtic win the Scottish Premier League and the Scottish League, but he did not play in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup final.
Honduras (1W-1D-2L) occupies fifth place in the final round of CONCACAF qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, trailing the fourth-place United States on goal difference (-5 to +1) and first-place Mexico by six points.
ROSTER
GOALKEEPERS: Ricardo Canales (CDS Vida), Donis Escober (Olimpia), Luis Lopez (Real España)
DEFENDERS: Ever Alvarado (Olimpia), Brayan Beckeles (Necaxa/Mexico), Felix Crisanto (Motagua), Henry Figueroa (Motagua), Maynor Figueroa (FC Dallas/USA), Emilio Izaguirre (Celtic/Scotland), Johnny Leveron (Correcaminos/Mexico), Johnny Palacios (Olimpia), Carlos Sanchez (Honduras Progreso)
MIDFIELDERS: Bryan Acosta (Real España), Michael Chirinos (Olimpia), Jorge Claros (Real España), Carlos Discua (Motagua), Roger Espinoza (Sporting Kansas City/USA), Oscar Boniek Garcia (Houston Dynamo/USA), Mario Martinez (ENPPI/Egypt), Alfredo Mejia (Xanthi FC/Greece), Oliver Morazan (Juticalpa)
FORWARDS: Erick Andino (Motagua), Alberth Elis (Houston Dynamo/USA), Rony Martinez (Real Sociedad), Romell Quioto (Houston Dynamo/USA), Angel Tejeda (Real España)
Invited players: Bryan Bernandez, Dabirson Castillo, Carlos Ovidio Lanza, Walter Martinez, Sergio Peña