FC Dallas players have now earned 26 MoneyGram International call-ups in 2016
FRISCO, Texas (Monday, Aug. 29) – FC Dallas’ Kellyn Acosta (U.S.), Tesho Akindele (Canada), Aubrey David (Trinidad & Tobago), Maynor Figueroa (Honduras) and Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador) have been called in by their respective national teams for the current FIFA international window, running through Wednesday, Sept. 7.
Acosta, 21, will be in line for his third cap with the U.S. National Team. The team began training yesterday in Jacksonville, Fla., in preparation for its 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Friday, Sept. 2, in (2:30 p.m. CT - beIN SPORT). Four days later, the MNT closes out Group C action against Trinidad & Tobago (7 p.m. CT – FS1, UniMas) at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. The former FC Dallas Academy midfielder has recorded career highs in appearances (26), minutes (1,848) and assists (5) this season.
Akindele, 24, already has 13 appearances and two goals for the Canadian National Team, heading into a vital, Friday, Sept. 2, World Cup Qualifying match in Honduras (4 p.m. CT). Canada faces El Salvador at BC Place in Vancouver, B.C. on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (9 p.m. CT). The 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year has six goals and a career-high, four assists in just 1,190 minutes (25 appearances) for FC Dallas this season.
David, 25, has been capped 23 times by Trinidad & Tobago. The Soca Warriors host Guatemala on Friday, Sept. 2 (6 p.m. CT), before traveling to Jacksonville, Fla. to face the U.S. David, who joined FC Dallas on July 4, has logged 270 minutes in MLS play, 90 minutes in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and 90 minutes in CONCACAF Champions League.
Figueroa, 33, is in line for his 114th cap with the Honduran National Team. Honduras hosts Canada on Friday, Sept. 2 before traveling to face Mexico on Tuesday, Sept. 6. Figueroa has been one of FC Dallas’ most important players recently. The versatile defender scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win against Real Estelí in CCL on Thursday, Aug. 4. He also provided a game-winning assist in Dallas’ last match, a 3-1 win against Houston on Saturday, Aug. 27. He currently leads FCD in minutes played with 2,074 in 24 appearances.
Gruezo, 21, is eyeing his 16th cap with Ecuador as Los Amarillos get set to host Brazil in a CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying match at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa on Thursday, Sept. 1 (4 p.m.). Ecuador travels to Lima to face Peru at Estadio Nacional Lima on Tuesday, Sept. 6 (9:15 p.m.). Gruezo has logged 1,790 minutes (22 appearances) in his defensive midfield role for FC Dallas this season. He has played another 270 minutes in U.S. Open Cup and CCL action since joining FCD on Jan. 23.
