WILLEMSTAD (DA) — Curaçao internationals Eloy Room and Jürgen Locadia are two of only four active USL Championship players selected to compete at this summer’s FIFA World Cup, placing Miami FC at the center of a historic first for the league.
Room and Locadia were selected for Curaçao’s squad as the Blue Wave prepare to compete in the World Cup for the first time in the country’s history. They join Haiti internationals Carl Sainté of El Paso Locomotive FC and Duke Lacroix of Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC as the four active USL Championship players headed to the tournament.
The selections mark the first time active players from the USL Championship will participate in the senior World Cup, according to the league.
Miami FC is the only USL Championship club with two players included among the four selections, with Room in goal and Locadia providing an attacking presence for Curaçao.
Room played a key role in Curaçao’s qualifying campaign, recording six shutouts in 10 appearances. He finished qualifying with an 85.7% save percentage as Curaçao secured its historic place in the tournament.
For Room and Locadia, the World Cup selection represents a landmark achievement with Curaçao. Their inclusion also gives Miami FC a prominent role in a breakthrough moment for the USL Championship, with two of the league’s four World Cup-bound players coming from the club.