Columbus Crew SC’s first round pick in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft is attracting interest for possible senior-level international duty.
Midfielder Rodrigo Saravia, whom the MLS club selected 19th in January’s draft, has been targeted for a possible call-up to the Guatemalan national team according to GuateFutbol.com. The side is preparing for an upcoming friendly with Honduras to take place on February 10th. Saravia is currently with Crew SC in Lakewood Ranch, FL for their inaugural preseason camp of 2016.
Guatemala Reportedly Targeting Columbus Crew SC Draftee Rodrigo Saravia for Call-Up
Guatemala head coach Walter Claveri hinted that he might be interested in bringing in Saravia should Columbus be willing to release him.
“The intention is to give continuity to all who are currently here for the Honduras match,” Claveri stated in Spanish (translated from above report). “It’s where we are right now. But if the club lends him (since it’s) not a FIFA date we will try to get him to see (some time).”
The 22-year-old Saravia had been called up to his native country’s full national side once before. He joined Las Chapines for a camp ahead of a pre-Gold Cup friendly against the United States in early July of last year. Though he never saw action, Saravia has previous experience at international level with Guatemala’s U20 and U23 teams.
The Guatemala City native was drafted by Columbus out of Florida Gulf Coast. He made 67 appearances over his four seasons with the Eagles and was named Atlantic Sun Conference player of the year in 2015.
After returning from the Florida camp on February 5th, Crew SC depart for Tucson, AZ on February 15th to take part in the fifth annual Desert Diamond Cup. Seven other teams, including four MLS clubs, two from USL as well as host FC Tucson from the PDL, will take part. It remains to be seen whether Saravia’s availability for the beginning of the tournament would be affected should he indeed get called up.
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