FC Dallas midfielder Ramon Nunez will not be in the lineup for Saturday's match against the Los Angeles Galaxy at Pizza Hut Park, but the Dallas native has a good excuse.
He will be playing for the Honduran national team for the first time in his career. They face Guatemala in Miami on Saturday and again in Atlanta on Tuesday and Nunez has been called up for both international matches for "Los Catrachos".
"It's definitely very exciting for me," Nunez said. "This is my first callup and I want to go down there and do my best. It's a great opportunity for me to get a step up at the next level playing for my national team. It should be a great time. I'm excited to be there."</p>
Nunez, who is in his third MLS season, all of which he has spent in Dallas, has set career highs this season in games played (24) -- a total which includes 20 starts at left midfield -- goals (6) and assists (4).</p>
This is his first callup to the Honduran nationals, but last summer, Nunez played for their Under-20 team at the FIFA World Championship last June in Holland.</p>
"It (playing for the U-20 team) definitely helped me last year," Nunez said. "I came back from the World Cup last year a different player. I gained a little bit of experience, which was great for me and more importantly, some confidence."</p>
He first found out that Honduras wanted to call him up about 10 days ago but had to decide Wednesday whether he would play for his country of birth or wait for a possible invite to play for the U.S. It was a difficult decision for Nunez, who was born in Honduras, but has lived in the States for most of his life.</p>
"It was definitely very tough because I've lived here for 15 years," he said. "The opportunity to play in these games against Guatemala is great. I think it's time for me to get some national team experience."</p>
Nunez, who left Dallas on Thursday morning and will not likely return until early Wednesday, goes on the trip with the full blessing of FCD head coach Colin Clarke and his staff.</p>
"They're excited for me," Nunez said. "I'm happy that they're supporting my decision."
Saturday's match will actually be played in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., at Lockhart Stadium while Tuesday's affair will be at Herndon Stadium on the campus of Morris Brown College in Atlanta. </p>
In Tuesday's match, Nunez will face off against one of his fellow Hoops as forward and leading scorer Carlos "Fish" Ruiz will be suiting up for Guatemala.</p>
"It should be fun playing against him," Nunez said. "We will have a little rivalry going on. Hopefully, we'll get the win, which is important for us. I've talked to him a little bit (about playing for his national team). He always talks about pride when playing for his country. He talks about being excited playing for your people and playing for your shirt."</p>
Steve Hunt is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
