Despite doubts in some quarters about the pick, Pereira blossomed in MLS, evolving from a playmaker to an all-round central midfielder, capable in two-way, deep-lying and attacking roles alike. Neither he nor his family will soon forget the morning a year ago when they got word that Fernando Batista, manager of the Venezuelan national team, had taken note, naming him to his roster for two Stateside friendlies.
His older brother Alexei burst into his room to deliver the news with a hug, Dani still in bed. Their father, Hector, posted on the family group chat a selfie of the tears streaming down his face, explaining how he’d had to excuse himself from his workplace as the emotions flooded in.
“My dad, apparently he left work because he was crying. He didn’t want anyone watching him,” said Dani.
Pereira and his loved ones will experience another such memorable milestone this summer, perhaps as early as Saturday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, where Venezuela meet Ecuador in their Copa América opener.
After a long process to become fully cleared, the 23-year-old has earned a place on Batista’s squad for the tournament, along with Philadelphia’s José “El Brujo” Martínez and a host of MLS alums like Jhonder Cádiz, Cristian Cásseres Jr., Yangel Herrera, Jefferson Savarino, Yeferson Soteldo, Christian Makoun and Miguel Navarro.
Should La Vinotinto turn to him, which appears highly likely, it will mark Pereira’s first-ever competitive appearance for his country, who’ve long been Conmebol stragglers – the only member of the confederation which has never qualified for a World Cup – but can now dream bigger amid an ongoing soccer renaissance. Notably, Venezuela are off to a 2W-1L-3D start in 2026 qualifying, good for fourth place in a format where the top six book their places automatically.
“It’ll be a great experience, but also, we got to make sure we win the games,” said Pereira. “I’m not trying to go there and just be like a fanboy like, ‘Oh, I’m here.’ I’m trying to go there and do something good, and do good in the tournament. If it’s starting, it’s coming in from the bench, if it’s just supporting from the side, just trying to bring something positive to the team. We’ve been doing good lately in the [World Cup] qualifiers too. So just give get my little bit of help.”
Source link : https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/austin-s-dani-pereira-realizes-venezuelan-dream-things-always-fall-in-the-right-place
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Publish date : 2024-06-21 09:45:54
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