Allen Yanes made the starting lineup for the second time for New York Red Bulls II playing the full 90 minutes as NYRB II defeated Ottawa Fury FC, 1-0, on Friday, July 31st at MSU Soccer Park. The full back, who arrived from Antigua GFC, has adapted well to the team since joining in July and looks to keep on adding minutes through the remainder of the season.
“Yeah, I feel I’ve been adapting in the best way thanks to my coaches and teammates, Yanes said. “I think it’s going well for me, in the games and training sessions, and I hope to keep on adding minutes and adding to the team every time I can.”
Yanes’ hard work and effort into breaking into the starting lineup haven’t gone unnoticed in both club and national team level as Yanes was included in Guatemala’s senior Men’s National Team roster for their upcoming friendlies against Argentina on September 7 in Los Angeles and Ecuador at Chicago’s Toyota Park on September 11.
Yanes, 21, who has made five appearances for NYRB II since joining in July, including two starts and 243 minutes played, is very happy with his call-up and hopes to add it as experience in his young career.
“Thanks to God I get called up to the National Team for these two games,” Yanes said. “It’s very exciting for anyone. Everyone wants to represent their country, and I hope to do it in the best way and return with those games as experiences and keep on adding to the team.”
Coach John Wolyniec says experiences with national teams are fundamental in the development of players and though Yanes will miss games against Indy Eleven and Toronto FC II, these friendlies will benefit him.
“Those experiences with national teams are great,” Wolyniec said. “They’re character builders, they’re experience builders, they help players get better so we’re all for it. Very excited for him. We’ll miss him, but we wish him the best of luck and I’m sure he’ll come back a little bit better.”
Playing against top opposition is something that excites Yanes, who wants to learn from the best, and with Argentina including top players of the likes of Inter Milan’s Mauro Icardi and Juventus’ Paulo Dybala in their roster, Yanes looks to give his best.
“Both teams have players of high level that play in the best leagues in the world,” Yanes said. “And well, I just want to give my best effort and learn what I can from them and our National Team.”
