CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – Red Wolves defender Nicolás Cardona was named to the Puerto Rico National Team roster on Monday evening, becoming the first active Red Wolves player to be called into national team duty. Cardona will report for Puerto Rico National Team camp in the Cayman Islands on June 5 for two matches in the first round of the Concacaf Nations League.

Puerto Rico will play against the Cayman Islands on June 9th at 6 p.m. ET and the British Virgin Islands on June 12th at 6 p.m. ET. Both matches will be available to stream on Paramount+.

“For me it is an honor to represent Puerto Rico,” said Red Wolves Defender and Puerto Rico National Team captain Nicolás Cardona. “It is my country and where I was born and raised. Putting on the national team jersey is an incredibly unique experience. I am thankful for the coach believing in me and I will give my all for my country.”

The captain of the Huracán Azul has appeared in six matches for Puerto Rico across FIFA World Cup qualifiers and international friendlies.

“I am very happy for Nico Cardona and his selection into the Puerto Rico National Team,” said Red Wolves Head Coach Jimmy Obleda. “He’s a young man that deserves this recognition and I know that he will take full advantage of it. As a club and as a coach, we couldn’t be happier to have someone on our team that represents their country and represents ourselves so well on the field.”

In its second season since its inception in 2018, the Concacaf Nations League is an international competition between the 41 member associations of Concacaf. It is divided into three tiered leagues, A, B, and C, of four groups each, with promotion and relegation between the leagues based on finishing position within groups. The Nations League serves as a qualifier for the Concacaf Gold Cup.