VANCOUVER, BC – Vancouver Whitecaps FC confirmed today that midfielder Deybi Flores has been called up to the Honduran U-20 national team for the upcoming 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup in New Zealand.
The talented 18-year old from San Pedro Sula, Honduras will be joining the national team in Auckland, NZ on May 18.
The Honduras U-20s, headed by coach Jorge Jimenez, are in Group F along with Germany, Fiji and Uzbekistan.
Los Catrachos begin group play on Monday, June 1 against Uzbekistan. Honduras will then face Fiji on Thursday, June 4, before rounding out the group stage versus Germany on Sunday, June 7. All three matches will take place at Christchurch Stadium in Christchurch, NZ.
The first-year Whitecaps FC player made his MLS debut as a second-half substitute when he played the final 18 minutes of a 2-1 win against Portland Timbers at BC Place. He earned his first MLS start in the Week 7 road match versus San Jose Earthquakes. In total, Flores has made three MLS appearances with Whitecaps FC, as well as one USL start with Whitecaps FC 2.
In international competition, the 5-foot-11 midfielder helped Honduras qualify for the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup when the national side finished second in Group B of the 2015 U-20 CONCACAF Championship. Flores started all five of his tournament appearances, playing all 450 minutes of action. At the U-17 level, Flores represented Honduras in the 2013 U-17 CONCACAF Championship.
- SCHEDULE: FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand
"We've earned the right to go and represent Honduras better than ever before," said Jimenez, who also coached Flores in the U-20 CONCACAF Championship. "The boys have put in a lot of work and they deserve all the plaudits they get."
Flores was acquired by Whitecaps FC via one-year loan with transfer option from Club Deportivo Motagua. In the 2014-15 season, he started nine times in 12 appearances in the Honduran Liga Nacional, playing 778 minutes in helping his club claim the league championship.
Flores will miss at least five Whitecaps FC matches, starting with the May 16 tilt versus Seattle Sounders FC at BC Place. Flores could be back with the team as early as the June 20 road match versus New York Red Bulls, depending on whether Honduras advance past the group stage.
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