Quakes’ Bernardez called to World Cup camp

In all likelihood Victor Bernardez will once again be representing his home country of Honduras for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Honduras Head Coach Luis Fernando announced Monday that Bernardez has been called to Los Catrachos’ 2014 World Cup Camp on May 20.

This is the first step towards Bernardez making Honduras’ final 23-man WC roster that will be announced on June 2, but there’s little doubt that he won’t be on that plane to Brazil this summer.

The beast at the back they affectionately call “Muma” has been as reliable for his home country as he has in his three-year stint for the  San Jose Earthquakes.

Bernardez represented Los Catrachos in the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and has featured on the back-line throughout the 2014 World Cup qualification process. The 31-year old has a total of 75 international caps.

Since arriving in the Bay Area after a three-year stint with Belgium powerhouse R.S.C. Anderlecht, Bernardez has been one of the most reliable and intimidating center-halves in Major League Soccer.

In addition to being a regular starter since joining the club, Bernardez was named to the MLS Best-XI team in 2012, cementing his place as one of the leagues elite defenders.

Known for his crushing tackles, Bernardez has also always been a dangeron set pieces, both with his head and a powerful right foot. Anyone who watched his game-winning strike against the LA Galaxy in the 2012 MLS Playoffs can attest.

Bernardez is currently second on the Earthquakes in goals scored this season with two, both coming against Real Salt Lake including a last second header that tied the game at 3-3 to save a point for the Quakes.

Bernardez is the most likely of the Earthquakes to feature in Brazil this summer, as American hopefuls Chris Wondolowski and Clarence Goodson are still on the bubble to make Jürgen Klinsmann‘s squad.

Honduras will play three tune-up friendlies in the US before departing for Brazil including fixtures against Turkey, Israel and England.

Honduras is currently ranked 32nd in the world by FIFA and will compete in Group E along with Switzerland, Ecuador and France. Honduras finished third in the CONCACAF Hexagonal and will be competing in their second consecutive World Cup.

The 20th World Cup will begin on Thursday June 12 when Brazil takes on Croatia. Honduras opens against France on June 15.