HARRISON, N.J. (February 4, 2025) – New York Red Bulls II midfielder Rafael Mosquera and defender Aimar Modelo have been called up to Panama’s National Team ahead of a friendly against Chile. This is the first senior national team call up for both players.
In two seasons with New York, Mosquera made 30 appearances scoring four goals and tallying five assists. He scored his first career MLS NEXT Pro goal in a 4-1 win against Philadelphia Union II on June 26, 2024. Mosquera tallied his first career MLS NEXT Pro assist in a 6-3 win against Atlanta United 2 on July 7, 2024. He earned MLS NEXT Pro Goal of Matchweek 27 with goal against Chicago Fire FC II on September 13, 2024. The midfielder made his MLS NEXT Pro debut in a 2-0 win against FC Cincinnati 2 on July 22, 2023.
On the international stage, the midfielder been featured for the Panama’s Youth National Team on multiple occasions at the U-15, U-20 and U-23 levels. He most recently featured for Panama in U-23 friendlies against Mexico on September 6 and 9, tallying one goal.
The midfielder also represented Panama in the 2024 U-20 CONCACAF Championships where he scored three goals and tallied an assist while he captained the side and led them to the semifinals, qualifying them to the FIFA U-20 World Cup for the seventh time in their nation’s history. Mosquera scored the first goal in a 2-1 quarterfinal win over Canada in the tournament.
Modelo joined New York Red Bulls II on January 29, 2025, via a one-year loan from Liga Panamena side CA Independente. In three seasons with CA Independiente, the defender made 48 appearances with the club scoring two goals and tallying three assists. Modelo scored the game winning goal in a 1-0 CONCACAF Central American Cup Group Stage victory over Port Layola on August 22, 2024. This goal made him the second-youngest goal scorer in the history of the competition at 19 years and 210 days old. The defender also appeared in two CONCACAF Champions Cup matches against the New England Revolution on February 22 and March 1, 2024.
The full back has represented his nation at the youth level making eight appearances with Panama U-20 National Team. He featured for the group in the 2022 and 2024 editions of the CONCACAF U-20 Championship. He scored the game winning extra time goal in a 2-1 2024 U-20 CONCACAF Championship Quarterfinal win over Canada U-20 on July 31, 2024. This victory qualified Panama for the 2025 FIFA U-20 World Cup, making it the seventh qualification to the competition in the nation’s history. The defender made his U-20 debut on June 20, 2022, in a 5-0 2022 CONCACAF U-20 Championship Group Stage fixture against Aruba U-20.
The full back has one appearance with Panama U-23 National Team, making his debut in a friendly match against Paraguay U-23 on December 18, 2023.
Panama will train at Eagle Stadium at El Colegio de Panama from February 3 to February 5. They will then travel to Santiago, Chile for an international friendly match at National Stadium against Chile on February 8 at 6:30 PM E.T.
