Turns out, there will be one more MLS player than expected in the World Cup.
The Ecuadorian national team announced Sunday evening that Chivas USA midfielder Oswaldo Minda had been added to its 23-man roster for the tournament, which kicks off on Thursday in Brazil.
Minda was originally on the nation's 30-man preliminary roster before being cut, and replaces fellow defensive midfielder Segundo Castillo, who sprained his right knee in Ecuador's 3-1 friendly loss to Mexico last Saturday and was not able to recover in time for the tournament.
The World Cup will the second major tournament the 30-year-old Minda has represented Ecuador in, after also representing La Tri in the 2011 Copa America. He joined Chivas USA prior to the 2012 season and has since made 46 appearances, developing a reputation as a hard-nosed player by collecting 23 yellow cards in that time (but only one red).
Ecuador will open the tournament against Switzerland on June 15, and then face Honduras on June 20 before their Group E finale against France on June 25.
