John Anthony Brooks at Hoffenheim

Nonetheless, Hertha have had plenty of Brazilians and other South Americans throughout the years. In this case, however, they feel like they can control/influence Brooks more.

 

That's probably something like what Tab proposed, ie release him for our European games.

 

As someone pointed out with Chandler, it's a bit different when you buy a player with an already confirmed national team allegiance and when you develop a player from the time they are a teenager with options.

 

How about they give him to use for the qualifiers and we don't call him otherwise?

 

How about they release him on FIFA dates? That one should be easy. Me thinks that Tab was trying to get him for U-20 WC Qualifying (Brooks is age eligible for that, right?). That won't be on a FIFA date.

 

They have to release him on FIFA dates. They don't have a choice. The only thing they can do there is pressure Brooks to decline the call himself.

I say propose a deal that says you can have him on all FIFA dates, but you have to give him to us for U20 qualifying.

 

I agree, which was my point about the coercion that apparently is going on.

 

Right, but now they are in the Bls 2 and not very deep. Plus there is more of a chance to play on a Friday and they also play on Mondays, makes it hard to play a midweek international.

 

This is a little late but I was checking out the stats from the Hertha Berlin vs St. Pauli game and Brooks led the game with 86 passes completed and 102 touches kinda impressive for a CB.

http://www.bundesliga.com/en/stats/matchday/?matchid=138520&season=2012&liga=52

 

"Jonathan Brooksbank" was on the bench today as Hertha won 4-0 at Aue.

 

Kicker.de said it was a normal rotation as Hertha played last Monday.

 

Brooks got another 90 in the bank as Hertha won 1-2 at Cottbus.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...bericht_energie-cottbus-78_hertha-bsc-29.html

 

Brooks will likely have a half season of consistent and successful play in a very good league by the time the Hex rolls around. He's certainly making a case.

 

Brooks made it in Kicker's 2. Bundesliga team of the week.

http://www.kicker.de/news/fussball/...iga/2012-13/17/elf-des-tages-am-spieltag.html

 

Given our CB issues, Brooks needs to at least be on the roster for Honduras on Feb 6 (with Cameron/Boca/Gonzalez ahead of him, but he can make a sub appearance if the situation is right).

 

I can't imagine any US fan would object if Brooks were in the 18 against Honduras.

 

I'd be pretty shocked.

 

Me too. But I don't have enough information to object if it were to happen... or if it didn't.

 

One could argue that Brooks is playing at a higher level than Boyd and the position where help is needed the most. Considering how many calls Boyd gets, I wouldn't be surprised.

 

Gold Cup.

I could see JK bringing him in sooner, but if I were betting I'd say he's in the 23 this summer before making a qualifying roster.

 

He's more likely to be on the U20 WC team this summer

 

Always wondered -- how good is his English?

 

Apples and oranges. Someone can play a horrendous, error-filled 89 min as a attacker and score 1 goal in the 90th min, ending up a hero. Do that as a defender, and the team loses for certain. Whether Brooks is invited to a see-me-in-person session will depend on how the coaches view his consistency.

 

Given Brooks' recent outing with Deutschland, their appearance to have (re)new-ed interest in him, and his strong performances for club as of late...I don't know that he'd accept a call up in a cap tying situation right now.

 

I agree with this, but I am a bit surprised that he didn't at least make the trip to Russia last month. My guess is that JK is not very impressed with Germany's recent interest in Mr. Brooks.

Good to see him picking up his club play- he's always had the raw tools and now he's learning to put it all together. Perhaps he could become our Neven Subotic.