LOS ANGELES (Monday, March 21, 2022) – The LA Galaxy today announced that defenders Julián Araujo (Mexico), Marcus Ferkranus (U-20 USMNT), Kelvin Leerdam (Suriname), Jalen Neal (U-20 USMNT), Eriq Zavaleta (El Salvador) and midfielder Jonathan Pérez (U-20 Mexico) were called up by their respective national teams during the international window.
Araujo, 20, has made four appearances (4 starts) for the Galaxy during the 2022 campaign. The Lompoc, Calif., native has made two appearances for the Mexico Men’s National Team, most recently appearing as a second-half substitute in Mexico’s 1-0 win over Panama in World Cup Qualifying on Feb. 3, 2022. Mexico continues FIFA World Cup Qualifying by hosting the United States at Estadio Azteca on Thursday, March 24 (7:00 p.m. PT), traveling to face Honduras at Estadio Olímpico Metropolitano on Sunday, March 27 (4:05 p.m. PT) and playing host to El Salvador at Estadio Azteca on Wednesday, March 30 (6:05 p.m. PT).
Zavaleta, 29, has tallied one goal in 15 games played (15 starts) for the El Salvador Men’s National Team. In his most recent appearance for El Salvador, Zavaleta started and played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Canada in World Cup Qualifying on Feb. 3, 2022. El Salvador continues FIFA World Cup Qualifying by traveling to face Jamaica at the National Stadium Independence Park on Thursday, March 24 (4:05 p.m. PT), playing host to Costa Rica at Estadio Cuscatlán on Sunday, March 27 (2:05 p.m. PT) and traveling to Estadio Azteca take on Mexico on Wednesday, March 30 (6:05 p.m. PT).
Leerdam, 31, has yet to make an appearance for the Galaxy during the 2022 campaign. The Paramaribo, Suriname, native has tallied two assists in seven appearances (7 starts) for the Suriname National Team. In his most recent appearance for Suriname, Leerdam started and played 90 minutes in a 2-1 win over Guadeloupe in the 2021 Gold Cup on July 21, 2021. Suriname will square off against Thailand in an international friendly at BG Stadium on Sunday, March 27 (5:00 p.m. PT).
Neal, 18, has made two appearances (2 starts) for LA Galaxy II during the 2022 USL Championship campaign, while Ferkranus, 18, has made one appearance for Los Dos in the USL Championship this year. The U.S. Under-20 Men’s Youth National Team will head to Buenos Aires, Argentina for matches against Argentina on March 26 and Argentine Primera Division club River Plate on March 29. The U-20 USMNT will use the matches in Argentina to prepare for this summer’s Concacaf U-20 Championship in Honduras, which will serve as qualification to the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Perez, 18, tallied one goal and three assists in 17 appearances (14 starts) for LA Galaxy II during the 2021 USL Championship regular season. The U-20 Mexico National Team will travel to Uruguay to face off against Club Atlético Peñarol’s U-20 team on March 26 and then play in matches against the U-20 Uruguay Men’s National Team on March 28 and March 30.
