KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Understandably, Roger Espinoza is curious about the environment that awaits him at the World Cup. So before he left Kansas City to join his international teammates, he picked the brains of World Cup veterans Jimmy Conrad and Josh Wolff.
“They said you really don’t get the experience until you’re there,” Espinoza said. “It’s kind of hard for them to explain it to me. I’ll realize when I’m there what it’s all about.”
That date is drawing closer every day for Espinoza and Honduras, which has waited 28 long years to watch its national team compete on the biggest stage. They open against Chile on June 16 in Nelspruit, before facing Spain and Switzerland to finish their Group H schedule.
Until they depart for their base camp in Johannesburg on June 8, Los Catrachos will spend the next few weeks training in northern Europe. They will tune up for the tournament with friendlies against Belarus (May 27), Azerbaijan (June 2) and Romania (June 5).
“We know in South Africa it’s going to be winter over there,” Espinoza said. “We’re going to Germany and Austria. We’re going up in the mountains where the weather is going to be cold, kind of like Kansas City in the winter.”
Back in Kansas City, Peter Vermes and the Wizards will be watching Espinoza, who has grabbed the starting left back spot with both hands in 2010, and Honduras with interest. He who will miss at least four league matches while on international duty, more if Honduras advance to the knockout stage.
“He’s going to be missed for sure,” Vermes said. “But it’s a great opportunity for him. We’re excited for him. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You’re lucky if you get to two, maybe three or even four for some guys.”
Espinoza will get his first at the age of 23 with plenty more time to accomplish those dreams. He also has more to accomplish with the Wizards. But now is not the time to think about that.
“It’s time to start concentrating for Honduras,” Espinoza said.
