With the Chicago Fire off from competition over the weekend, Homegrown midfielder Collin Fernandez took advantage of the break and joined the Peruvian Under-20 Men’s National Team for a training camp in Lima, Peru.
Fernandez headed to Lima on March 20 for a training camp that culminated in a friendly with Segunda División side Cantolao on March 25. Fernandez started and played 60 minutes in the 2-1 loss.
“The whole week was an overall great experience,” said Fernandez. “My first day there, I got to train with the senior team for about 45 minutes. The remainder of the week we trained side-by-side with the senior team. The game went well and to have the chance to train with the guys and see how they play was great.”
The Downers Grove, Ill. local most recently represented the United States with the U-20s in the Four Nations Tournament in Germany in October 2015 but is eligible to represent La Blanquirroja through his Peruvian-born father.
See Also: Fernandez Enjoys Training Stint at Villarreal
While the main purpose of the trip was soccer, the week provided the 19-year-old with an opportunity to get in touch with his roots.
“It was my first time in Peru," Fernandez said, "and I got to visit with family members who I’ve never met [pictured below]. So overall it was a great trip.
