Brad Guzan, Josef Martinez called up for upcoming international friendlies

The United States men’s national team has called up Atlanta United keeper Brad Guzan for its friendlies next week against Colombia in Tampa, Fla. and Peru in East Hartford, Conn. Striker Josef Martinez also received a call to international duty as Venezuela gears up to face the United Arab Emirates in Barcelona, Spain on October 16.

Guzan hasn’t appeared for the USMNT since July 12 of last year, a 3-2 win against Martinique in the Gold Cup. The team primarily used Tim Howard in World Cup qualifying - we don’t need reminding how things turned out there - while opting to play the likes of Zack Steffen and others between the sticks as it turns its attention to the future. While it remains to be seen if Guzan will play with Steffen and Club Brugge man Ethan Horvath in the lineup, he’ll certainly be looked on as a guiding hand with 58 caps under his belt.

Martinez has made a single appearance with La Vinotinto this year, a 2-1 loss to Colombia during which he played 67 minutes. He would cut his international break short to rejoin Atlanta United, but with the club playing five days after Venezuela’s contest against the UAE, there’s a little bit more of a buffer.

Guzan and Martinez are among four Atlanta United players that have been tapped for international action during the FIFA window between October 8-16. Miguel Almiron and Tito Villalba were called into Paraguay’s first camp under new manager Juan Carlos Osorio, and while La Albirroja don’t have any friendlies scheduled for the foreseeable future, it’s an opportunity for the duo to impress the new man in charge with the country looking to move forward after a second straight World Cup missed.