ORLANDO, Fla. (Oct. 3, 2020) — Orlando City SC goalkeeper Pedro Gallese will join the Peru National Team and midfielder Jhegson Sebastián Méndez will join Ecuador for their respective upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, the Club confirmed today. Under FIFA regulations, clubs may only deny the release of a player when the government mandates, without exception, a return quarantine of five or more days.
Gallese will be available for City’s match against the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, Oct. 3, while Méndez will miss the match due to suspension. Both players will join their national teams following Saturday’s game. Upon returning to the U.S., Gallese and Méndez will complete all required Major League Soccer (MLS) COVID-19 protocols - which includes quarantine and testing - before rejoining the team.
