Ohio Wesleyan University senior Franklin Rodriguez (Santiago, Dominican Republic/Berkshire (Mass.)) has been called up to the Dominican Republic's national U-23 team for a friendly against Colombia on Friday at Romelio Sanchez Stadium in Barranquilla, Colombia.

This will be Rodriguez's first game with the Dominican Republic's U-23 team.  A nation's U-23 team is typically the one that represents it in the Olympic Games.

"I have worked very hard for this moment," Rodriguez said.  "The head coach knows me well, I have played for him at the club level for many years and he believes in me.  I feel extremely grateful and happy to be here.  I have worked very hard to receive this call-up and now I have my opportunity."

Rodriguez has been a member of the Dominican Republic's U-15, U-17, and U-20 teams.  One of his best memories from the youth national teams was "when (the Dominican Republic) qualified for the Pre-World Cup tournament at home back in 2020, but unfortunately we couldn't play this tournament due to COVID."

A forward at Ohio Wesleyan, Rodriguez ranked third on the Battling Bishops in scoring during the 2023 season.  He compiled 4 goals, with 3 of those game-winners, and added 3 assists.  Rodriguez's 3 game-winners tied for third place in the North Coast Athletic Conference.  He tallied the deciding scores in Ohio Wesleyan's NCAC wins over Oberlin, Wabash, and DePauw on the way to third-team All-NCAC recognition.  Ohio Wesleyan went on to finish the season with a 13-6-1 record, made its NCAA-record 44th Division III tournament appearance and advanced to the second round of the tournament, and was ranked No. 23 in the final United Soccer Coaches Division III poll.

"Franklin has improved every year at Ohio Wesleyan," said Battling Bishop head coach Jay Martin.  "This past year he gained great confidence and was a difference-maker for us.  This is an appropriate step forward for him.  It will help him get even better in his senior year."

Rodriguez is the third Ohio Wesleyan men's soccer player on record to be called up to their country's national U-23 team.  Obi Moneme '96 competed with the United States U-23 team at the World University Games in 1995, and Tevon Levien '12 played for the Cayman Islands on its U-23 team during Olympic qualifying in 2011.