SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Darwin Ceren has been called up to the El Salvador National Team to participate in qualifying matches for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Ceren, 26, will join El Salvador for the round-robin style Central American Cup where they will face Costa Rica on Friday, Jan. 13 at 3:30 p.m. PT, Honduras on Sunday, Jan. 15 at 12:30 p.m. PT, Belize on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 1 p.m. PT, Panama on Friday, Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. and Nicaragua on Sun, Jan. 22 at 10:30 a.m. All games will take place in the Estadio Rommel Fernandez in Panama. Ceren will not participate in Friday’s match against Costa Rica as he serves a one-match suspension for receiving a second yellow in the World Cup Qualifier against Canada on Sept. 6.

Ceren joined Los Cuscatlecos three times in 2016 for 2018 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers, serving as the captain in all three matches. The midfielder played the full 90 minutes in the 2-2 draw with Honduras on March 25 and in the 2-0 loss to Honduras on March 29. He also started and played 56 minutes in the 3-1 loss to Canada.

The top four finishers in the Central American Cup will qualify for the 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup set to take place in the United States between July 7-26, with Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara hosting a knockout round match.