Why did José Martinez from Philadelphia Union didn't join up with Venezuela
The midfielder received his first call with his national team but the MLS team considered not to let him out.
After a great season for him, José Andrés Martínez finally received his first call-up for Venezuela at his 26 years. Despite his intentions to join the national team in the October international break Philadelphia Union considered that his trip to South America was going to be too risky and opted to not let him out.
Martínez played almost all the games of the season for his team, that is fourth in the east conference in the playoffs zone. He is not the only player called-up by head coach José Peseiro, who also convene Miguel Navarro (Chicago Fire FC), Cristian Casseres (NY Red Bulls) and Rolf Feltscher (LA Galaxy).
The other player in his condition is Junior Moreno (D.C. United), who won't be leaving the MLS during the break.
Asked about the situation, Union head coach Jim Curtin explained that the decision of not let him out was due to the risks that the COVID-19 pandemic supposes in a trip like that. He assures that his player will have many opportunities with his national team but that this was not just the correct moment to let him out, after analyzing the itinerary that Venezuela's national team will do during the break.
