Yup, hes not going to decide his international future this early into his career and he’s a shoe in for every foreseeable England youth national camp, he’s one to keep an eye on for sure but he won’t switch to us until he has exhausted his chances for England, if that even ever happens
(that parenthetical might be wrong) https://t.co/PUpPwjvNg9— Matthew Doyle (@MattDoyle76) November 2, 2020
I think it's more likely that I play for the USMNT than this guy does. I mean, dude grew up in England, has been part of England YNTs and doesn't seem to be getting ignored by or disenchanted with England. The only way it happens is if he looks at the England pool and says "for the next 12 years I have a far better chance at playing for the U.S.A." Which, he probably does. But until he's shown he can't play much for England, I think he's gonna stick with the Lions. But, I'd be happy to be wrong.
Okay, wishful thinking but here’s why I’ll say Musa chooses the USMNT. Although it’s highly evident he’s in the England camp, here are a few reasons why he might reconsider: 1- he’s got a long ways to go to make it into the first team; 2- he’s not playing in England anymore; 3- I imagine he’s not a die hard nationalism kind of guy - given that he has so many other pans in that fire: England, Italy, Ghana, US. It’s just conjecture, but my guess is he’s likely to pick more based on opportunity than on sentiment. That said, when the USMNT does want to recruit someone, they tend to go all-in; ever since the Rossi/Subotic situation. I imagine Berhalter is going to give him as much warm and fuzzy as he possibly can give. Now, this is where the rubber meets the road... with the USMNT, he can jump into a very young program that although isn’t at the same level of England’s youth movement, has also a very exciting youth movement going on. Let’s say if it was between some other nation and the US - it would be attractive to say, hey, we’ve got Pulisic, Reyna, McKennie, Adams, And oh, you would fit so nicely into that RW spot on our UCL title contender - all Olympic age - midfield line up... add to the fact, we’re hosting the big show in 2026. That’s a player that can think, okay, I can go ahead and enter the international stage now, play for my birth country, and be part of a major youth movement. Of course, it won’t be an easy sell. But unless he’s the type who sings God save the Queen in the shower while he’s drinking hot tea, I think he’ll be tempted to pick us.
Probably not gonna happen still, but can we really say "never" based on what Egg has done the last year? Seems like his "recruiting" has been on point, been in touch with everyone, "won" the battle with Dutch over Dest (yes, I realize that one was probably easier). Still, nice to see there might be a chance. Even if he picks a better team, or one he's more comfortable with culturally, showing we're interested and making a push is great. I continue to be impressed with Egg's outreach. I said it before, but ever since Araujo said he hadn't heard from anyone with the US team, it's been a complete 180. Players all over saying Egg is keeping in touch and offering them whatever they need. Nice to see.
1323343122382917633 is not a valid tweet id Yunus Musah vs Getafe (11/1/20) https://t.co/EEfiKKasBY— FalseFullback (@FalseFullback2) November 2, 2020
song choice is immaculate Yunus Musah vs Getafe (11/1/20) https://t.co/EEfiKKasBY— FalseFullback (@FalseFullback2) November 2, 2020 1323343122382917633 is not a valid tweet id
From the video in @Dave Marino-Nachison first post: "I was only born in America because my mom went there on holiday...[I lived in Italy] for my first 9 years." His connection with the USA is very, very superficial. Would be very surprised if he ever chooses us. Seems like England and Italy, if possible, would be far ahead of the US.
I have no idea what's in his heart or mind, but presumably the U.S. can offer a quicker and surer path to the MNT than Italy or England. We're also hosting a World Cup soon. His preferences aside, presumably some version of that (and a team with some exciting young players in the fold) would be a big part of the consideration. That said, I'd still be surprised to see him switch so soon -- though I suppose he could join our U20s, then switch again, as I don't believe he's cap-tied yet...
Youre not wrong, but I can guarantee the "country connection" argument isnt the argument that GGG would be presenting to him. The argument 100% is what @Eleven Bravo laid out very nicely. The opportunity to play immediately in the 2022 World Cup + 2026 World Cup in the USA. The marketing/playing/financial opportunities that go with that are unparalleled. Then consider that he almost certainly will not be called into 2022 WC squads for his other nations (especially not England who is stacked at his position) and that may be tempting to some players. Do I think its convincing enough for someone like him? Probably not, but you can bet that's the argument GGG will make.
Right, I was just struck with how little, at least at the time/moment, he regarded his time in the States. He got a cup of coffee in the USA, as it were, and said he was gutted (or some such English parlance) about leaving Italy. All things equal, we've got no chance. Tipping the scale with all the juicy bits you guys have mentioned, we have a slim chance.
Yeah, I made this point with regard to Dest too, and who knows how much it factors into guys' thinking, if at all, but the core guys going into 2026 are going to get dump trucks full of money from endorsement deals. With the US hosting and potentially fielding a contender, that tournament is going to be insanely hyped. If not the players themselves, surely some of their agents have this in mind.
Serious question - what are the odds that Musah makes us worse? It's a scalding take, but right now our young guns are the most cohesive group of kids one could probably imagine. Musah instantly becomes a dude in the spotlight with absolutely no connection to any of our players or our country at all. Having a mercenary at that level of importance strikes me as not a great thing to have.
I don’t think you’re wrong, per se. But Yunus seems more like a national wanderer than someone who is a hardline “this is my country, I play for no other country, than this country” type. I’m not saying that’s right or wrong... Lord knows, I’m much different than that. But I also can guess that someone who has a very loose attachment to his national origin, he is probably more likely to choose based on opportunity rather than on sentiment. Now, I know- I could be wrong. Dead wrong. He might be the proudest Englishman you ever met. But it would be surprising given that he’s lived the life of a world traveler pretty much all his life. He’s an American-born Ghanaian who spent his early developmental years in Italy and his adolescent years in England; and he has moved to Spain to become a professional adult. If I had to guess, that just doesn’t scream I’m a ride or die England player. It sounds like, I’m going where the best fit for me is at. In comparison, I’m personally predicting his decision making will be more like a collegiate football player. Let’s say - He was born in Georgia to parents who went to Clemson. He moved to Florida at an early age, but has been heavily scouted by Alabama. He’s got the t-shirt, Nick Saban is calling him on the phone, whispering what he wants to hear about championships and the NFL, and for all intents and purposes, he has already pre-committed to play for them. That said, Georgia might not be where he most likely ends up, but stranger things have happened, and Kirby Smart is talking a good game and promising him to be a key player a lot sooner than Nick Saban can deliver.... in other words, it’s not over until he tells Kirby ‘hell no’ or he steps on the field for Alabama. In short, I’d put the odds at about 3-1 that he will NOT play for the US. But that’s still a betting game, I’m willing to play for.
For better or worse, I believe this team would more likely embrace it than shun it, given their public personas seem to be less focused on the domestic game and more about making a name for themselves in the international market. If anything, other than injuries, I’m more worried about even our own players feeling less enthused to represent the US and instead focus on their international club careers.
Valencia breakout star Yunus Musah has accepted a call-up to #USMNT camp later this month, according to a source with knowledge of the decision.The 17-year-old New York-born Musah has represented England at the youth levels.https://t.co/U9qM0SpYd8 pic.twitter.com/znNTna4Rm3— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) November 3, 2020 Oh ****!
It makes sense for him to kick the tires. I hope he likes the vibe of all the young players and wants to be a part of something special. I am not expecting much, but I’m always ready to be pleasantly surprised. He plays a position of need for us.
I was just about to post Tenorio’s tweet! holy f****! Color me shocked! Wow. What video games did GB promise this kid to sweeten the pot?
Boy there’s a lot of things to dislike about the Fed but the fact that they got a kid like this into a camp at least is incredible. Would be the craziest get in the history of the program.
This is going to really kill certain people who have a lot invested in the idea that Berhalter is the worst at everything, which makes me very happy