Justin Meram's frequent flier account is going to get a workout this offseason.
The Columbus Crew SC winger was named to the Iraq national team squad for friendlies in December and January ahead of the 2015 Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup, which runs Jan. 9-31 in Australia.
Meram, who is eligible to play for the Middle Eastern nation because both his parents were born in Iraq, earned his first national team call-up for November's Gulf Cup of Nations and has appeared in three games for the Lions of Mesopotamia.
This time, Meram will join his teammates for training camp in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 20, with friendly matches scheduled against Kuwait on Dec. 23 and Uzebkistan on Dec. 25 and 28. Iraq are scheduled to play Iran in Sydney, Australia, on Jan. 4 before the tournament kicks off.
Iraq, the 2007 Asian Cup champions, were drawn into Group D alongside 2011 champions Japan, Jordan and Palestine in the 16-team tournament. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals. The Asian Cup champions advance to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
Meram produced career highs with eight goals and four assists for Columbus during the 2014 season and recently signed a new contract with the club. He is one of three MLS players who are currently part of national-team squads competing at the Asian Cup, along with Tim Cahill (Australia) and Steven Beitashour (Iran).
