FRISCO, Texas (Tuesday, Nov. 8) – FC Dallas’ Carlos Gruezo (Ecuador), Maynor Figueroa (Honduras) and Atiba Harris (St. Kitts & Nevis) have been called in by their respective national teams for the current FIFA international window, running through Tuesday, Nov. 15.
Gruezo, 21, is eyeing his 18th cap with Ecuador as Los Amarillos travel to Estadio Centenario to face Uruguay in a CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying match on Thursday, Nov. 10. Ecuador will then host Venezuela at Estadio Olimpico Atahualpa on Tuesday, Nov. 15. Ecuador (5-3-2) currently sits third in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying behind Brazil (6-1-3) and Uruguay (6-2-2).
Gruezo logged 2,240 minutes (27 appearances) in his defensive midfield role for FC Dallas during the regular season. He had two assists, the second of which led to the game-winning goal in the 2-1 victory against Seattle on Oct. 16 that gave FC Dallas its first Supporters Shield in franchise history. He played another 630 minutes in U.S. Open Cup, CONCACAF Champions League and Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoff action. He scored once in a 5-2 win against Suchitepéquez on Oct. 20.
Figueroa, 33, is in line for his 114th cap with the Honduran National Team as Los Catrachos get set to host Panama in a CONCACAF World Cup Qualifying match at Estadio Olimpico San Pedro Sula on Friday, Nov. 11. Honduras also hosts Trinidad & Tobago on Tuesday, Nov. 15. The versatile defender scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 win against Real Estelà in CCL on Thursday, Aug. 4. He also provided a game-winning assist in Dallas’ 3-1 win against Houston on Saturday, Aug. 27. He finished fourth in minutes played for FC Dallas this season with 2,434 in 28 appearances.
Harris, 31, joins St. Kitts and Nevis for a Caribbean Cup match against Haiti at Warner Park Football Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 13. The second match is a friendly against Estonia on Saturday, Nov. 19. Harris ranked 10th in minutes played for FC Dallas this season (1,970). He scored one goal and had two assists. Harris also scored in two of FCD’s four CCL matches.
