Peru's national team confirmed that Seattle Sounders forward Raul Ruidiaz has tested positive for COVID-19 and will miss Tuesday's CONMEBOL South American 2022 World Cup Qualifying match against Brazil.
On Thursday, Ruidiaz started and played 74 minutes for Peru in a 2-2 draw in Paraguay in the first 2022 World Cup Qualifier for both nations.
Since joining Peru for international duty, Ruidiaz has missed two Sounders league matches: a 2-1 home win against Real Salt Lake and a 3-1 road loss to LAFC. The Sounders' next match on Wednesday, Oct. 14 was postponed, but they are still scheduled to face San Jose on the road on Sunday, Oct. 18. The latter was a match that Ruidiaz was already set to miss given the requirement to comply with a 10-day mandatory MLS quarantine before rejoining Seattle.
A timeline for a return to Seattle has yet to be shared. The original and translated statement from the Peruvian national team follows below.
Ruidiaz has 45 international caps and four goals for Peru. The 30-year-old has nine goals in 13 total appearances for the Sounders in 2020 MLS action.
The translation of the statement follows below:
After receiving the report of the PCR tests conducted this morning, the Peruvian Football Federation (FPF) and the players Raul Ruidiaz and Alex Valera, jointly announce that they will not be called up to the Peru vs. Brazil game for Qatar 2022 World Cup Qualifying.
For everyone's peace of mind, the players are not exhibiting serious symptoms.
In the hours prior to the aforementioned test results, in strict compliance with health and security protocols, the players were in total isolation. By doing this, the FPF ensures the execution of the competition rules as outlined by FIFA and CONMEBOL.
The FPF expects a favorable medical evolution for the players, making available its entire staff of professionals to supervise and follow each case. As such, the isolation process will be followed in coordination with the FPF.
Finally, the Peruvian national team maintains its firm commitment to seek out a win against its rival on Tuesday.
