Three Timbers called up for National Team duty

PORTLAND, Ore. – The Portland Timbers today announced that defender Steve Purdy (El Salvador - above, right) and midfielders/defenders Lovel Palmer (Jamaica - above, middle) and Rodney Wallace (Costa Rica - above, right) have been recalled by their respective national teams for upcoming 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.

Purdy departed Thursday to join El Salvador, while Palmer and Wallace will leave Monday, Oct. 8, following Sunday’s match against Seattle Sounders FC, to join their respective national teams. All three players are scheduled to return to the club on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Palmer, 27, and the Jamaica National Team face Guatemala on Friday, Oct. 12, at Estadio Mateo Flores in Guatemala City, Guatemala, before playing host to Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday, Oct. 16, in Kingston, Jamaica, at Independence Park. Jamaica, the United States and Guatemala are currently tied at the top of Group A in CONCACAF qualifying with seven points.

A native of Mandeville, Jamaica, Palmer recently started a pair of World Cup qualifiers against the United States. He helped the Reggae Boyz earn a 2-1 win in Jamaica on Sept. 7 and played in a 2-1 loss to the United States on Sept. 11 in Columbus, Ohio. In June, Palmer played in two World Cup qualifiers for the Reggae Boyz, starting in a 2-1 win over Guatemala and in a scoreless draw against Antigua & Barbuda. In total, Palmer has 24 caps with the Jamaica National Team since making his international debut in 2005.

Purdy, 27, and the El Salvador National Team play host to Wallace and Costa Rica on Oct. 12 at Estadio Cuscatlán in San Salvador, El Salvador, before closing out Round 2 of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying against Mexico on Oct. 16 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. El Salvador is currently in second place in Group B of CONCACAF qualifying with five points.

With family ties to El Salvador, Purdy has nine caps with the El Salvador National Team. He recently played in a La Selecta’s 2-2 draw with Guyana on Sept. 7. Purdy has been a key contributor in El Salvador’s advancement in 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, appearing in six qualification matches and scoring a goal in a 4-0 win over the Cayman Islands on Nov. 10, 2011.

In addition to facing El Salvador on Oct. 12, Wallace and the Costa Rica National Team play host to Guyana at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San José on Oct. 16. Costa Rica is currently in third place in CONCACAF Group B with four points.

From San José, Costa Rica, Wallace has eight caps with the Costa Rica National Team and has scored two international goals. He notched the game-winner in a 1-0 win over the United States in his international debut on Sept. 2, 2011. Wallace recently featured in a pair of World Cup qualifiers against Mexico in September.