SAN JOSE, Calif. – San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez has been called to Honduras national team duty ahead of 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Mexico on Friday, March 22 and Panama on Tuesday, March 26. Both matches will be played in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

Bernardez, 30, has 61 career caps with Los Catrachos. He started for Honduras in a 2-1 win against the United States on Feb. 6, 2013, their first game of hexagonal play. The 2012 MLS Best XI selection has been a mainstay on the back line for his home country during the qualification process. He started each of Honduras’ six games in group play during the third round of CONCACAF qualifying, scoring a goal in a 3-0 win against Cuba on Sept. 7, 2012.

Due to his national team participation, Bernardez will miss the Earthquakes’ March 23 match against Seattle Sounders FC at Buck Shaw Stadium, presented by Supercuts (7:30 p.m. PT / CSN California).