Recent addition to the Atlanta Silverbacks, midfielder Richie Menjivar continues his development as a world class soccer player. No sooner has the Silverbacks training camp started than Menjivar has to leave. He has been called up to the El Salvador national team for a friendly match against Equador that will take place on March 21.
Menjivar is American-born but eligible to play for El Salvador based upon his parents. 2013 has been something of a breakout year for Menjivar who has already played five times for his country. In little more than a week he will join his teammates in Quito, Ecuador in preparation for the game on the 21st.
“We’re extremely proud that Richie was called up to play in a game of this magnitude – it speaks volumes about his abilities,” said Silverbacks General Manager Andy Smith, “Any time one of our players can go out and get international experience, it’s going to make our team better as a whole.”
The 5-foot-8 midfielder, who comes to the Silverbacks on loan from Salvadoran side Turín FC is in Atlanta to further his game. He played college soccer at Cal State Bakersfield and has had time since then as a player at Danish side Blokhus FC and Cal FC, the amateur club run by Silverbacks Technical Director Eric Wynalda. He could put on Silverbacks colors for the first time as early as Saturday, when the club welcomes Georgia State University to Atlanta Silverbacks Park.
Atlanta's signing of Menjivar and several other off-season signings are reasons for real optimism in the Silverbacks camp as the team hope to build on their momentum of late last year for the 2013 NASL season.
Comments