Savarino called to preliminary Venezuela roster for Copa America

Jefferson Savarino is continuing to attract attention and respect in regard to the Venezuelan national team, with his name being one of those called to the national team’s preliminary roster for the 2019 Copa America.

Savarino, still only 22, has played in all but one Real Salt Lake matchi this year; he missed a loss to LAFC with international duty.

Should Savarino make the final roster, he’d be missing for at least two games for the club. Venezuela’s group matches take place from June 15 to June 22, with matches against Peru, Brazil and Bolivia. Quarterfinals end on June 29, semifinals on July 3, and the final takes place on July 7.

That would at least mean absences for a June 22 match in Chicago, with potentially further absences, depending on Venezuela’s progress:

• June 22 @ Chicago
• June 29 vs. Sporting Kansas City
• July 3 vs. Columbus
• July 6 @ San Jose

We’ll of course see how this progresses. He may not even make the final roster; considering his young age, there are certainly more experienced players who might sooner get the call. It’s always difficult to know which way to lean, but if RSL’s depth is actually a strength, it may be a good opportunity for less-involved players to earn minutes in Savarino’s absence, while it gives Savarino a nice boost.