Ronnie O'Brien would consider playing for the US

[Father Ted]

O'Brien has applied for a green card and is actively talking renewal in the last year of his current contract. He's embracing the American lifestyle and would even consider taking his connection to the States a step further. He wouldn't mind playing for the US National Team.

"I'd play. I'd be more than happy to play. If they'd want me I'd play,'' O'Brien said. ``The same with the Irish team. But they've got to want you to play. You don't beg people to play. If they're watching you, if they pick you. If Bruce came to me and said, `Ronnie, I'd fancy you playing over here on the right side.' I'd play. I'd be more than happy to play.''


http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/448900.html

So, time for him to get citizenship?

[WC2010Champs!]

whoa - oka oka oka come on bruce call him into camp bc the kid has skills

[The Lieutenant]

http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/exclusives/448900.html

So, time for him to get citizenship?

Is he married? Anyone have a sister who likes guys with funny accents?

[szazzy]

27 and times a ticking. Is it the hole at right mid that makes him think he has a better shot with us than Ireland, or is it just easier still to make the USMNT? I'd take him in a second, don't get me wrong, just curious if he's in line for a callup in Ireland. I wonder if they've even seen him play this season.

[Martin Fischer]

Not completely sure, but it appears O'Brien played for Ireland youth sides in what I think are official matches. I thought the rule was that you can switch but only if you were eligible for your new country at the time you appeared for another in an official youth match.

That plus the age plus waiting time does not make this a likely prospect.

[ursula]

ROB has as much chance to play for the Nats as Dema Kovalenko.

[mschofield]

This has to be a statement in answer to an out of left field question. There are a lot of very skilled players who aren't US citizens in this world. But without a marriage connection, or a longer residency, how would he possibly qualify?

[Minnman]

ROB has as much chance to play for the Nats as Dema Kovalenko.

Yup. ROB's been in MLS for how long? Three years? There's a five year residency requirement before one can apply for citizenship. And it matters not whether or not you're married to an American. He's a fun player to watch in MLS, but he has a zero percent chance of playing for the US.

[Wahoo]

From the original message

If Bruce came to me and said, `Ronnie, I'd fancy you playing over here on the right side.' I'd play. I'd be more than happy to play.''


Somehow I can't imagine Bruce using the word "fancy" this way :)

Put me in the crowd of people that would like it if he were eligible now for selection as he might be useful and he does have good skills and tenacity.
However I dont see his citizenship working out anytime soon.

[The Big Ticket]

Is it the hole at right mid that makes him think he has a better shot with us than Ireland, or is it just easier still to make the USMNT?
I don't think it's easier to make the USNT (probably the opposite), but it might be easier for Ronnie O'Brien because he plays in MLS. It's hard to keep track of a player when he's playing on another continent. I still think ROB will be called in for Ireland though at some point in the next couple of years.

[numerista]

ROB has as much chance to play for the Nats as Dema Kovalenko.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:X0YqPuZ_bgwJ:barnburners.com/news/02/0116.html+dema+kovalenko+permanent+resident&hl=en

Dema --
Permanent resident as of: Nov 30, 2001
Eligible for citizenship: Nov (Dec?) 30, 2006
Swearing in: Tough to predict, but early 2008 seems likely

He turns 31 around the start of WC2010 qualifying -- that's still young enough to be a plausible pool member. (Incidentally, if he were a citizen today, I think he'd get regular call-ups ... don't know if that's a majority view, though.)

R O'Brien --
Applied for residency: Summer 2004
Best-case approval: Early 2005
Best-case eligibility: Early 2010

He'd be 31 for the 2010 World Cup; again, that's young enough to be plausible, especially for a one-off event. Still, that's assuming he gets the green card early next year, which is awfully optimistic.

[Northcal19]

Doesn't this fall into the 'If my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle' category?

[Father Ted]

I really doubt O'Brien will be will called up by Brian Kerr for Ireland.

[Red Card]

What's the chances of O'Brien at right mid and O'Brien at left mid in 2006?

[Casper]

What's the chances of O'Brien at right mid and O'Brien at left mid in 2006?
Zero. But that has nothing to do with whether or not Ronnie becomes a citizen.

Maybe we could get to work on Leighton.

[mschofield]

Zero. But that has nothing to do with whether or not Ronnie becomes a citizen.

Maybe we could get to work on Leighton.
:D

[superdave]

27 and times a ticking. Is it the hole at right mid that makes him think he has a better shot with us than Ireland, or is it just easier still to make the USMNT?
It's the hole at right mid. If you compare us to Ireland, we have the edge at some positions, they have the edge at others. Comparable sides.

[metros11]

The FIFA laws only disallow you to switch national teams if you played a FIFA authorized match on the full team level. Youth teams don't count. This means that Freddy Adu can win the Olympics with USA and then win the WC with Ghana. As far as Ronnie goes, not sure if he needs a green card or a citizenship.

[El Cabrito]

Yup. ROB's been in MLS for how long? Three years? There's a five year residency requirement before one can apply for citizenship. And it matters not whether or not you're married to an American. He's a fun player to watch in MLS, but he has a zero percent chance of playing for the US.

Really five years??

My understanding of the current laws is that if you marry a US citizen you can apply and usually get it within a year. There is a 1 year penalty (you have to leave the US) if you were origionally here illegaly though.

[Brownswan]

Is he married? Anyone have a sister who likes guys with funny accents?

Don't all sisters like guys with funny accents?

What about Landon's sister?

Is Jennifer Lopez available? Again?