Peru calls in five MLS players for upcoming friendlies

Raul Ruidiaz - Peru - in action during a friendly vs. Iceland at Red Bull Arena

There will be no shortage of MLS players on the roster for Peru as it gets set for a pair of September international friendlies, with five players from around the league getting called in for the fixtures.


Seattle Sounders striker Raul Ruidiaz, Vancouver Whitecaps attacker Yordy Reyna, San Jose Earthquakes defender Marcos Lopez, New York City FC defender Alexander Callens and Orlando City defender Carlos Ascues are all featured on Peru's 24-man roster for the friendlies, the first of which comes against Ecuador at Red Bull Arena on Sept. 5 before a Sept. 10 clash with Brazil at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.


Ruidiaz has continued to rack up goals at a torrid clip since joining the Sounders after a dominant two-season run at Morelia of Liga MX, netting 20 times in 27 starts for Seattle and adding three more in last year's Audi MLS Cup playoffs. He has yet to translate that to the international level, however, as he's netted only four times for Peru in his 41 career caps.


Reyna is working his way through a trying campaign with the Whitecaps, but he's been productive since starting his MLS career in 2017, racking up 17 goals and 16 assists in 64 games. The 25-year-old has netted twice for Peru in his 28 career senior caps.


Callens has been a staple in central defense for NYCFC since his 2017 arrival, starting all 83 games he's played while chipping in three goals in addition to his steady defending.


Ascues, a center back who can also play defensive midfield, has started 12 of his 14 appearances for Orlando City this season and has impressively scored five times in his 21 international appearances since his senior team debut in 2014.


Lopez, 19, has appeared in 15 games and made 12 starts for the resurgent Earthquakes this season, chipping in one assist. He'll look to make a case for more call-ups, as he currently has two senior caps to his name, and was also the youngest player to feature for his country at the 2017 South American U20 Championship.