Four Timbers players called up for international duty

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers announced today that four players have been called up by their respective countries for international matches in January and February. Timbers defender Pablo Bonilla will represent Venezuela, midfielder Yimmi Chara will play for Colombia and midfielder Cristhian Paredes is set to join Paraguay; all will play Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers. Timbers defender Bill Tuiloma will join New Zealand for a pair of friendly matches.

Bonilla, 22, joins Venezuela to face Bolivia (Jan. 28) in Barinas, Venezuela, and Uruguay (Feb. 1) in Montevideo, Uruguay. The defender joins the senior team for the second time in his career after joining the senior team for training camp and friendlies in October of 2021. Bonilla has been part of the Venezuelan U-20’s and U-23’s since 2019 and started in three consecutive appearances for Venezuela in the 2020 CONMEBOL Pre-Olympic Tournament.

Chara, 30, will represent Colombia as they square off with Peru (Jan. 28) in Barranquilla, Colombia and Argentina (Feb. 1) in Cordoba, Argentina. Chara has made 15 appearances for Colombia, tallying one goal and an assist since making his debut on Oct. 10, 2014. Making four appearances in 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying, Chara scored the game-winning goal and the first of his international career, in a 2-1 victory against Venezuela on Sept. 7, 2018. In 2021, Chara and Colombia earned third place in the 2021 Copa America after defeating Perú on July 9, 2021, making four appearances throughout the tournament. Most recently, Chara logged a full 90-minute performance in the 2-1 victory over Honduras on Jan. 16.

Paredes, 23, will represent Paraguay as they face Uruguay (Jan. 27) in Asuncion, Paraguay, and Brazil (Feb.1) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The midfielder joins the Paraguayan senior team for the first time since 2018. Paredes started in two appearances with the U-23 team against Colombia in a friendly match on Dec. 21, 2019, and against Argentina on Jan. 7, 2020. Paredes has been capped six times for Paraguay’s senior men’s national team.

After scoring his first international career goal on Oct. 11, 2021, Tuiloma and New Zealand will take on Jordan (Jan. 28) in Abu Dhabi and Uzbekistan (Feb. 1) in Dubai. Tuiloma re-joins New Zealand after making two appearances in a pair of friendlies in 2021. Tuiloma, 26, has been part of New Zealand’s U-17, U-20 and U-23 teams before making his senior debut on Oct. 15, 2013, at the age of 18. The Beach Haven, New Zealand native has made 27 appearances for All Whites.