Chicago Fire defender Gonzalo Segares has accepted his first-ever call to represent the Costa Rica Senior National Team. Segares will be available for selection as he currently trains with the "Ticos" in preparation for two upcoming international friendlies against Honduras (Sept. 9) in East Hartford, Conn. and Canada (Sept. 12) in Toronto, Ontario. Fire midfielder Ivan Guerrero was invited to play for the Honduras National Team, however he is unavailable due to a left ankle injury sustained on Sept. 1.
"It is always a great honor to be called to a national team," said Fire Head Coach Juan Carlos Osorio. "Gonzolo's play so far with the Fire has put him in a position to display his talents on the national stage."
Segares first came to the Fire as a third round (35th overall) pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft pick. Since joining the Fire, he has played in 67 games (64 starts) tallying four goals and four assists. Despite serving a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation, Segares is still the current season's leader in minutes played with 1,866 through 21 games.
A native of San Jose, Segares is a product of the Costa Rican youth national team system, participating in U17 qualifications for the World Youth Championships Cup in 1998. The 24-year-old is the seventh Fire player to be called to national team duty this year. Other national team participants this season include midfielders Justin Mapp and Ivan Guerrero, defenders Dasan Robinson and Osei Telesford, goalkeeper Matt Pickens, and forward Chris Rolfe.
