Timbers' Wallace called up by Costa Rica National Team

PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers defender/midfielder Rodney Wallace has been called-up by the Costa Rica National Team to participate in the 2013 Copa Centroamericana and an upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Feb. 6. 

Wallace, 24, will miss the start of Timbers preseason training while on national team duty and is scheduled to rejoin the club on Thursday, Feb. 7, during Portland’s preseason camp in Tucson, Ariz. 

Born in San José, Costa Rica, Wallace joined the Costa Rica National Team on Jan. 7 in preparation for the 2013 Copa Centroamericana. He came off the bench in the 65th minute to help preserve a 1-0 win against Belize in Costa Rica’s opening group match of the tournament on Jan. 18. On Sunday, he started and played 57 minutes in a 2-0 win against Nicaragua, securing Costa Rica’s place in the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The Ticos face Guatemala on Tuesday in their final match of group play.

The 2013 Copa Centroamericana, held in Costa Rica, is a championship tournament for countries affiliated with the Central American Football Union (UNCAF). The top five teams from the tournament qualify for the 2013 CONCACAF Gold Cup. 

Costa Rica begins CONCACAF’s final qualification stage for the 2014 FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, Feb. 6, against Panama at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City at 6 p.m. (Pacific). Costa Rica is one of six teams vying to represent CONCACAF in the 2014 World Cup.

Wallace has 11 caps and scored two goals for Costa Rica since making his international debut Sept. 2, 2011. He tallied the game-winner in his debut, contributing to a 1-0 victory over the United States. Wallace has appeared in three of Costa Rica’s last four 2014 World Cup qualifiers, playing in a pair of losses to Mexico and a win against El Salvador. He enters his third season with the Timbers in 2013.