Minor league midfielder Miguel Ibarra will be included on the U.S. national team's roster for next month's friendlies against Ecuador and Honduras, multiple sources told ESPNFC.com.
Ibarra, a 5-foot-7 winger known for his blazing speed, has helped Minnesota United to the top spot in the second-tier North American Soccer League this season.
The 24-year-old Lancaster, Calif. native had the equalizing goal and a late game-winning assist in Minnesota's 3-2, comeback win in Ottawa on Sunday.
One goal, one assist and his third Man of the Match award in as many weeks. Congrats @Migue10Ibarra! pic.twitter.com/5omSlWEcNn
- Minnesota United FC (@MNUnitedFC) September 28, 2014
As a senior at the University of California-Irvine in 2011, Ibarra was named the Big West conference's co-offensive player of the year but was not selected in Major League Soccer's SuperDraft the following January. The Portland Timbers took him in the MLS Supplemental Draft but didn't sign him to a contract.
Ibarra will become the first player from North America's second-tier to participate in a senior national team camp since Clyde Simms of the Richmond (Va.) Kickers trained with the first-string U.S. squad before a World Cup qualifying match in early 2005.
Simms signed with MLS club D.C. United later that year and spent the final nine seasons of his professional career in the top flight.
Ibarra was named NASL player of the week last week after scoring both of his team's goals in a 2-0 victory over the host San Antonio Scorpions.
