(KRON) – San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Michael Baldisimo has been named to the Philippine Men’s National Team for a pair of matches in March. The matches will dually serve as FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 Preliminary Joint Qualifiers (Round 2).
Baldisimo, who is of Filipino descent, accepted to play for the Philippines Men’s National Team in the rescheduled 2020 AFF Suzuki Cup. However, he withdrew due to injury.
“It’s a tremendous honor to represent the Philippine National Team, especially to be selected for games as important as World Cup Qualifiers, said Michael Baldisimo. "My brother and I are thankful for the opportunity and are looking forward to wearing the colors on the international stage. Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!”
Baldisimo’s brother Matthew who is a midfielder in the Canadian Premier League for York United was selected as well.
San Jose selected Baldisimo in Stage 2 of the 2022 Major League Soccer Re-Entry Draft after four seasons with the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.
At 23 years of age, Baldisimo represented the Canadian Men’s Youth National Team at the Under-17, U-20, and U-23 levels. He was also named to the U-20 squad for the 2018 Concacaf U-20 Championship and to the U-23 squad for the 2020 Concacaf Olympic Qualifying Championship.