COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew striker Jairo Arrieta has been called-up for National Team duty ahead of Costa Rica’s upcoming matches in the 2013 Gold Cup, hosted by the United States. Under Head Coach Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica is scheduled to open group play with a test against Cuba on Tuesday, July 9 at Portland Timbers FC’s JELD-WEN Field (11:00 p.m. ET), clash with Belize on Saturday July 13 at Real Salt Lake’s Rio Tinto Stadium (6:00 p.m. ET) and close-out group play with a meeting against the United States on Tuesday, July 16 in Hartford, Connecticut’s Rentschler Field (8:00 p.m. ET).
Arrieta joins Costa Rica following the Crew’s 3-2 defeat to Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, June 29 – a match in which Arrieta scored his second MLS tally of the season.
While with Costa Rica, Arrieta will miss three Crew matches during group play – at the LA Galaxy on Thursday, July 4, versus Portland on Sunday, July 7 and an international friendly against the reigning FA Cup champion, Wigan Athletic, on Saturday, July 13 at Crew Stadium. The tournament’s quarterfinal round will be held the weekend of July 20-21, with the semifinals set for Wednesday, July 24 before the tournament concludes on Sunday, July 28 at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
Arrieta returned to the Crew for a start at forward on June 22 against the Chicago Fire after earning a cap in his most recent call-up for Costa Rica in the Hexagonal Round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. His start against Honduras on June 7 was his 11th cap with La Sele since 2011. He’s tallied three times in those 11 appearances, including scoring twice during the 2013 Copa Centroamericana earlier this year.
The 29-year-old has recorded two goals and two assists – both game-winning helpers – for the Crew in 12 appearances, including nine starts, in 2013.
