MLS LA Galaxy

Three LA Galaxy Players Called up for International Duty

June 12, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
LA Galaxy News Release


LOS ANGELES - The LA Galaxy today announced that forward Dejan Joveljić (Serbia) and defenders Kelvin Leerdam (Suriname) and Eriq Zavaleta (El Salvador) were called up by their respective national teams for the upcoming international window from June 12-20.

Joveljić, 23, was called in by the Serbia National Team for an international friendly against Jordan at Franz Horr Stadium in Vienna, Austria, on Friday, June 16 (11:30 a.m. PT) and a 2024 UEFA European Championship Qualifier against Bulgaria at Ludogorets Arena on Tuesday, June 20 (11:45 a.m. PT). The Bijeljina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, native has tallied 19 goals and eight assists in 70 matches played (28 starts) across all competitions in three seasons with the Galaxy (2021-present). In 15 regular-season appearances (11 starts) for the Galaxy during the 2023 campaign, Joveljić has tallied two goals and two assists. Last season, Joveljić tallied 15 goals and three assists in 38 games played (10 starts) across all competitions for LA. Joveljić has made four appearances (3 starts) for Serbia since starting and playing 90 minutes in his debut in a 1-1 draw against Jamaica on June 7, 2021. Joveljić most recently played nine minutes off the bench in Serbia's 2-0 win over Lithuania in a 2024 UEFA European Championship Qualifier at Stadion Rajko Mitić on March 24, 2023.

Leerdam, 32, was named to the Suriname National Team that will square off against Puerto Rico at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in a Concacaf Gold Cup Qualifier match on Saturday, June 17 (4:00 p.m. PT). Leerdam has tallied two assists in 13 career appearances (13 starts) for Suriname. Leerdam has recorded one goal and one assist in seven regular-season games played (3 starts) for LA during the 2023 campaign. In 21 career games played (10 starts) across all competitions for the Galaxy, Leerdam has recorded one goal and two assists.

Zavaleta, 30, was named to the El Salvador National Team roster that will face off against Japan at Toyota Stadium in Toyota, Japan on Thursday, June 15 (3:10 a.m. PT), before squaring off against South Korea at Daejeon World Cup Stadium on Tuesday, June 20 (4:00 a.m. PT). The Westfield, Ind., native has tallied two goals in 21 career appearances (20 starts) for El Salvador. Zavaleta has made six regular-season appearances (1 start) for the Galaxy during the 2023 campaign.

Following the international break, the LA Galaxy return to league action by playing host to Sporting Kansas City at Dignity Health Sports Park on Wednesday, June 21. The match on June 21 kicks off at 7:30 p.m. PT and will be broadcasted live on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV.

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