Goalkeeper Farid Mondragon back in Colombia roster after 5-year absence to play Ecuador, US

Mondragon in Colombia roster after 5-year absence

BOGOTA, Colombia — Goalkeeper Farid Mondragon has returned to the Colombian roster after a five-year absence for exhibitions against Ecuador and the United States.

The 39-year-old Cologne player was selected by coach Hernan Dario Gomez having last played for Colombia in the 2005 CONCACAF Gold Cup. He also played at the 1998 World Cup in France.

Aquivaldo Mosquera, a defender with Mexican club America, also returns after being overlooked by former coach Jorge Luis Pinto in unsuccessful qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Colombia plays Ecuador at Harrison, N.J., on Oct. 8 and against the Americans four days later at Chester, Pa.

Creative forward Giovanni Hernandez was again left out by coach Gomez.

The roster:

Goalkeepers: Breiner Castillo (Independiente Medellin), Farid Mondragon (Cologne, Germany), David Ospina (Nice, France)

Defenders: Pablo Armero (Udinese, Italy), Ivan Cordoba (Inter Milan, Italy), Aquivaldo Mosquera (America, Mexico), Luis Amaranto Perea (Atletico Madrid, Spain), Juan David Valencia (Independiente Medellin), Mario Yepes (AC Milan, Italy), Camilo Zuniga (Napoli, Italy)

Midfielders: Juan Cuadrado (Udinese, Italy), Victor Ibarbo (Atletico Nacional), John Javier Restrepo (Independiente Medellin), John Valencia (Once Caldas), John Viafara (La Equidad)

Forwards: Falcao Garcia (Porto, Portugal), Teofilo Gutierrez (Trabzonspor, Turkey), Giovani Moreno (Racing Club, Argentina), Adrian Ramos (Hertha Berlin, Germany), Darwin Quintero (Santos Laguna, Mexico)