Wellington Phoenix forward Mariana Speckmaier has earned a recall to the Venezuela women’s national team to play a two-match series against Panama.
The teams will meet at the Brígido Iriarte stadium in Caracas on Saturday April 6 and Tuesday April 9, 2024 (NZT).
Speckmaier (26) last played for Venezuela in April 2023 when the team played Argentina but was not in the squad that met Uruguay last September.
The United States-born Speckmaier scored 10 goals for the Phoenix in their now-ended women’s A-League season, making her the club’s leading all-time women’s goalscorer.
She is among the players whose contracts have ended with the club, though she has indicated she would be open to a new agreement.
“It’s kind of all up in the air, but I’m so open to staying here,” Speckmaier said.
“I’ve had such a great time, and it can only get better I think.”
Speckmaier says that after her national training camp, she plans to return to New Zealand for holiday travel.
Italian coach Pamela Conti, now in charge of the Vinotinto, has named a 22-player squad for the Venezuela v Panama series:
Defenders
Nairelis Gutiérrez (Gremio, BRA), Michelle Romero (Fundación Canaria CD Tenerife, ESP), María Peraza (Cruz Azul, MEX), Yenifer Giménez (Villarreal, ESP), Camila Pescatore (Vis Mediterranea, ITA), Rafanny Mendoza ( Swieqi United, MLT).
Midfielders
Daniuska Rodríguez (Torreense, POR), Bárbara Martínez Flores (UDG Tenerife, ESP), Dayana Rodríguez (Gremio, BRA), Bárbara Oliveri (Houston Dash, USA), Ana Paula Fraiz (Missouri State University, USA), Raiderlin Carrasco (Sporting Huelva, ESP), Gabriela García (Atlético Madrid, ESP), Micheel Baldallo (Santa Fe, COL).
Forwards
Enyerliannys Higuera (Atasehir, TUR), Ysaura Viso (León, MEX), Mariana Speckmaier (Wellington Phoenix, NZL), Génesis Florez (Salamanca, ESP), Arianna Rodríguez (Getafe, ESP).
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