COLUMBUS — Columbus Crew striker Jairo Arrieta has been called-up for National Team duty ahead of a pair of Costa Rica’s upcoming matches in the Hexagonal round of 2014 FIFA World Cup Qualifying. Costa Rica is scheduled to play the United States on Friday, March 22 in Commerce City, Colo. and against Jamaica on Tuesday, March 26 in San José, Costa Rica.
Arrieta is set to depart following the Crew’s Opening Match at Crew Stadium on Saturday, March 16 against San Jose. While on international duty, Arrieta will miss the Crew’s road tilt on Saturday, March 23 at D.C. United. He will return ahead of the Black & Gold’s fixture against Philadelphia on April 6, at Crew Stadium following the Crew’s bye weekend on March 30.
The call-up for Arrieta comes on the heels of Costa Rica’s 2-2 draw at Panama on February 6 in the opening match of the Hexagonal round. Arrieta has earned nine caps for La Sele, dating back to 2011. The 29-year-old forward recorded his 10th career goal – and first of the 2013 campaign – last Saturday in Vancouver. As a midseason acquisition from Deportivo Saprissa in 2012, Arrieta scored nine goals and recorded four assists in just 18 appearances for the Crew last season.
The Crew opened the 2013 season with a pair of road matches and returns to Crew Stadium for its Opening Match on Saturday against San Jose (5:30 p.m. ET / FOX Sports Ohio).
