Four members of the Portland Timbers joined their respective national teams last week for international friendlies, or in some cases, 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Following is a run-down of their results complete with links and a preview of upcoming matches.
Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica)
The Timbers defender stepped onto the pitch for Costa Rica on Sept. 2 in an international friendly against the United States at The Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. Wallace, earning his first international cap for the Ticos, entered in the 61st minute of a 0-0 match and quickly made a difference on the field.
In a debut that you couldn't plan any better, Wallace netted the game-winning goal in the 65th minute when he headed in a rebound past American goalkeeper Tim Howard.
Watch a video of Wallace's first-career goal with Costa Rica here and read a match recap in Spanish from the Costa Rican FA.
Costa Rica, under interim head coach Ronald González, headed down to Quito, Ecuador, following the game against the U.S. in preparation for another friendly against Ecuador at 2 p.m. (PT) this afternoon. Wallace is expected to get his first-career start (Spanish), and second cap, on the left side of midfield.
James Marcelin (Haiti)
Continuing the trend of Timbers players scoring for their national teams, midfielder James Marcelin netted a goal for Haiti in a 6-0 World Cup qualifying rout of the U.S. Virgin Islands on Sept. 2.
In the country's first home soccer match since the devastating earthquake of January 2010, Marcelin scored the opening goal for Haiti in the 18th minute as Les Grenadiers took an early lead in CONCACAF Group F of FIFA 2014 World Cup qualifying. Prior the match against the U.S. Virgin Islands, Marcelin had an opportunity to meet and have his photo taken with Haiti President Michel Martelly.
Next up for Marcelin and Haiti is World Cup qualifying debutant Curaçao at 5 p.m. (PT) today in Willemstad, Curaçao.
Steve Purdy (El Salvador)
Purdy was an unused substitute for El Salvador in a 3-2 win over the Dominican Republic on Sept. 2 in San Salvador. El Salvador fell behind 1-0 before halftime, but grabbed a 3-1 lead by the 77th minute in the World Cup qualifying match.
El Salvador travels to face the Cayman Islands at 5:30 p.m. (PT) today in another CONCACAF Group A qualifier.
Lovel Palmer (Jamaica)
The Jamaican international didn't travel for the Reggae Boyz 5-2 friendly loss to Ecuador in Quito last Friday, but Palmer did meet up with the team in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., ahead of today's 4:30 p.m. (PT) friendly against Colombia.
