CHICAGO (Dec. 5, 2022) – Chicago Fire FC today announced that forward Jhon Durán has been called to the Colombia U-20 Men’s National Team for two international friendly matches in December. Colombia will face Perú on Tuesday, Dec. 13, and Thursday, Dec. 15 in Lima, Peru.
Colombia U-20 MNT head coach Héctor Cárdenas will gather his squad in Cali, Colombia, from Dec. 6-10 before traveling to Lima. The matches are part of the team’s preparations for the 2023 U-20 South American Championship, which will take place Jan. 19-Feb. 12 in Colombia. The tournament will determine the four participants from South America at the 2023 U-20 FIFA World Cup.
Durán will join the Colombia U-20 squad for the first time, having represented Colombia at the senior team and U-17 national team levels. Most recently, Durán played 26 minutes in Colombia’s 2-0 win against Paraguay on Tuesday, Nov. 19 at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia. The young forward made his Colombia National Team debut, replacing Radamel Falcao at halftime of the 4-1 win against Guatemala on Sept. 24 at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey. He also featured in stoppage time of the 3-2 win against Mexico on Sept. 27 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Durán was recently named the 2022 Chicago Fire FC Golden Boot winner after scoring a team-leading eight goals and registering three assists in his first season in Major League Soccer. The striker from Medellín, Colombia, made 27 appearances for the Chicago Fire (14 starts) and became the 12th player in MLS history to record at least 10 combined goals and assists in a single season at the age of 18 or younger.
