Columbus Crew SC’s winger Cristian Martinez is in contention to compete in the 2018 FIFA World Cup as the 21-year-old player was included on Panama’s preliminary roster for the tournament. Martinez is one of the 35 players selected by head coach Hernán Darío Gómez, who will have to narrow the squad to only 23 names by FIFA’s June 4 deadline.
The winger was last called up by his national team in 2016 before he signed with Crew SC, but his improved role with the team this season has helped him to get attention on his home country again.