Tampa Bay Rowdies Midfielder Richard Menjivar Departs for El Salvador National Team Duty
June 2, 2015 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
Tampa Bay Rowdies Midfielder Richard Menjivar
(Tampa Bay Rowdies)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (June 2, 2015) - Tampa Bay Rowdies midfielder Richie Menjivar has departed for Chile this morning to meet up with the El Salvador National Team ahead of a big summer for La Selecta.
"I'm very excited. We have big games coming up with the Gold Cup and World Cup Qualifiers as well," Menjivar said. "For me, every time I'm called up to the national team, it's a huge honor and privilege. I'm hoping for the best and for some good results and performances."
Menjivar has 20 caps for El Salvador.
El Salvador is scheduled to play a friendly in Rancagua, Chile against the Chilean national team this Friday, June 5. Menjivar could line up against superstars like Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal as Chile gears up to host the 2015 Copa America beginning June 11.
"It's definitely exciting. These huge games are all in preparation for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the FIFA World Cup," Menjivar said. "We're on a good road to becoming ready for these games. Competition is important and everyone wants to qualify for a World Cup, so hopefully, we'll keep improving."
After the match against Chile, Menjivar and the El Salvador National Team will fly to Miami for a couple days of training before beginning the Second Round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying. El Salvador, currently ranked No. 84 in the FIFA Rankings will contest a two-legged match against Saint Kitts and Nevis, currently ranked No. 112 in the FIFA Rankings. The first leg is in Bassaterre, Saint Kitts on Thursday, June 11. The return leg is in San Salvador, El Salvador on Tuesday, June 16.
The aggregate winner will advance to the Third Round of CONCACAF Qualifiers for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The final round, known as "The Hex" is the Fifth Round.
"With the last World Cup, CONCACAF has gotten a lot more respect," Menjivar said. "I don't know too much about St. Kitts, but we won't take any team lightly. They beat Turks and Caicos 12-4 on aggregate in the First Round and I know they have a few players in MLS and in Europe, so it'll be a good test. On paper, we're expected to win and I think we have the quality to do so, but it's not going to be easy."
El Salvador begins its Gold Cup campaign July 8 in Carson, California against Canada. El Salvador will also play Costa Rica in Houston on July 11 and Jamaica in Toronto on July 14 in the Group Stage of the Gold Cup.
Images from this story
 Tampa Bay Rowdies Midfielder Richard Menjivar |
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