Ruling that could affect future make up of USMNT

[purojogo]

http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1496540
"FIFA will allow players to switch countries before age 21 "
Players i can think of who would have the chance to make such decision: Adu, Alvarez (once he get his papers) Anyone else?

[sch2383]

Originally posted by purojogo
http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1496540
"FIFA will allow players to switch countries before age 21 "
Players i can think of who would have the chance to make such decision: Adu, Alvarez (once he get his papers) Anyone else?

Spector, Kabayisson, probably half of our under 17 roster.

[ttrevett]

Originally posted by purojogo
http://foxsports.lycos.com/content/view?contentId=1496540
"FIFA will allow players to switch countries before age 21 "
Players i can think of who would have the chance to make such decision: Adu, Alvarez (once he get his papers) Anyone else?

This said that you could change your national team only to a team from a country to which you hold a passport. As far as I know, Adu only holds a Ghana and American passport, and I know he's not going to change back to Ghana.

As far as I'm concerned, the only people I want to see wear the American kit are those who live and bleed Red, White and Blue. If somebody wants to play for another country, they can have 'em.

Does anyone know why this change from FIFA was made? Has to have something to do with money, but I can't see the angle.

[ttrevett]

It also says from the FIFA website that it only applies to those who have dual-nationality when they first played for the national side they initially chose.

[seahawkdad]

Another way to look at this is to ask, "Who might we pick up?"

[counterattack]

Originally posted by sch2383
Spector, Kabayisson, probably half of our under 17 roster.

WADR:

You're crazy, right? Young players are dying to leave the USMT and play for Upper Slobonia. Afterall, they will give up al that money, and have far less of a chance of making into the WC.

[beineke]

Originally posted by purojogo
Alvarez (once he get his papers)

Minor tangent, but isn't Alvarez a U.S. native?

As for FIFA's motives, somebody posted that it was a children's rights issue: a person shouldn't be bound by a decision he makes at age 16.

[Dr. Wankler]

Originally posted by beineke
Minor tangent, but isn't Alvarez a U.S. native?

As for FIFA's motives, somebody posted that it was a children's rights issue: a person shouldn't be bound by a decision he makes at age 16.

Yes. I seem to remember a kid with Australian papers who can't play for Australia because he's cap tied with one of the Oceania weakings, because he played for them once on a lark when he was a kid.

I really can't see this affecting the US in any major way.

[Brownswan]

Originally posted by ttrevett

Does anyone know why this change from FIFA was made? Has to have something to do with money, but I can't see the angle.

It's a chance for demographically challenged European countries to cull football's 3rd world for talent. Which would include the US, I presume.

Ghana was the colony of which European country?

[dolphinscoach]

One way in which you might see this ruling affecting American players: Those guys who were good enough to play once or twice for U17s but fall out the picture will have a chance to fulfill their dreams of playing adult international level soccer, even if it is not for their first choice. If it were me (and I was not a middle-aged player that no country has ever courted), I can see myself (a) coming to the realization that I will never make it into the USMNT player pool; thus (b) the only chance I have to play in a WC qualifier (and maybe even in a WC, if my other country is a decent Asian side, for example) is to play for another nation; and (c) that nation expresses an interest in having me play for them; then (d) I would be willing to play for that nation.

As an USMNT fan, I've got no problems with a player who follows that route. Now, if the USMNT needed the guy and he chose the other nation instead, I might not be so lenient.

[beineke]

Originally posted by Brownswan
It's a chance for demographically challenged European countries to cull football's 3rd world for talent.

Not necessarily. In order to change countries, a player must already be a dual citizen.

From the US perspective, what kinds of players might really be affected?

1. Zak Whitbread

At age 19, he's already trained with our U-23's, but he hasn't joined the U-20's, possibly because he doesn't want to be cap-tied. If this decision were to happen, he could play with the US youth teams without abandoning hope of playing for England.

2. Erwin Diaz

Diaz played at the 2001 U-17 World Cup, but at age 18, he's low on the radar for the USA. He may have Guatemalan (?) citizenship, and he might come back and bite us someday.

3. Jonathan Spector

This one is much more speculative, but Spector has a German passport and might just be a world-class prospect. If offered the chance to play for Germany, would he definitely turn it down?

These are three examples, and I'm sure there will be many more. The ruling may not have major effects on our team, but it should have some effect.

[sch2383]

Originally posted by counterattack
WADR:

You're crazy, right? Young players are dying to leave the USMT and play for Upper Slobonia. Afterall, they will give up al that money, and have far less of a chance of making into the WC.

I believe Kabayisson has an Italian passport. That isn't Upper Slobonia.

I also agree with the poster who said that he only wants players who want to play for this country.

[Scoey]

I'm the first to mention Paul Rachubka?

[Godot22]

Originally posted by Brownswan
It's a chance for demographically challenged European countries to cull football's 3rd world for talent. Which would include the US, I presume.

Ghana was the colony of which European country?

England, but they've been independent for around 50 years now.

[russ]

Originally posted by Scoey
I'm the first to mention Paul Rachubka?

Like he's got a shot to play GK for the Nats?Highly unlikely......

[St. Patrick]

Originally posted by russ
Like he's got a shot to play GK for the Nats?Highly unlikely......

I think he also would have claim to play for Wales, and that is more probable than the US or England as a destination for him.

[MLS_RM]

Originally posted by sch2383
I believe Kabayisson has an Italian passport. That isn't Upper Slobonia.

I also agree with the poster who said that he only wants players who want to play for this country.

DONT THNK HED EVER MAKE THE ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM ANYWAY.

[Scotty]

Originally posted by MLS_RM
DONT THNK HED EVER MAKE THE ITALIAN NATIONAL TEAM ANYWAY.

But there's always Armenia.