Yunus Musah at AC Milan

I'm just wondering if there's any examples of a player whose jumped around at all.

 

Yeah, but Mourad played for the Swedish U-21's in a qualifying tournament, which is considered an official competition.

 

I don't think there have been at the senior NT level. There are a number of 2 team players, but most were good enough at the YNT level to get provisionally cap-tied and required a one-time switch.

 

Very difficult for me to prove a negative.

The rules don't require it (same with AJ DeLaGarza who switched to Guam). And there was never any announcement about the submission of a one-time switch (though it doesn't have to be a public process).

 

I feel like the complete opposite of this post is the truth. Berhalter has probably given him the message that as a young player testing the water and giving the US a chance can't hurt. Of the nations he's eligible for the US is 3rd/4th strongest in football terms and the one he has the weakest ties to. Playing hardball and insisting on commitment would scare him away if anything. And if you're not convinced Berhalter has even said (tweet on other page): "We can only hope he chooses us for the long-term."

And from Musah's perspective think it's a calculated decision not a whim - he gets the positive exposure of playing international football at 17 while signalling to other nations he's eligible for that he's in demand with no obligation of commitment and he only has to travel as far as Wales to do so.

I can see this story becoming a saga.

 

I think he is the worst at lots of stuff, the hiring process was a sham and he's never won anything anywhere.

Having said all that he has been terrific with the Dual Nationals and that is an important part of the job.

 

Well, it was talking more about players who "bounce around" NTs. The 1-to-1 situation is more common & it would be unlikely for him to play for the US and then England and then back to the US. It could happen, but it's not something we have seen much of in the modern game.

 

I would think us hosting in 2026 would help also. Knowing you get to play in World Cup where your team was the hosts country is probably a nice draw.

 

Profile from Ives:

https://www.internationalchampionsc...est-usmnt-prospect-with-national-team-options

 

Yeah... this quote from the article BR posted above makes the situation pretty clear:

“We see (Musah) as having a ton of potential,” Berhalter told reporters on Tuesday. “And for us, it's about getting him on the field with us, letting him experience how we work as a group, how we work as a staff, letting him experience the teammates and the team environment that we’re able to create.
“And then, all we can do is hope that in the end he chooses us for the long term,” Berhalter said. “He’s obviously chosen us now but there's still a long term implication that has yet to be decided.”

There is no way playing hardball is going to work. You give the kid a shot... bring him in and hope that he likes the way things look w/ respect to his teammates the prospects for making the next couple of WCs. We know we are assured to be there in 2026 but have a good shot to make it in 2022 given the talent. In the end this may just push England or Ghana to offer a cap-tie spot to him... but you never know? He may end up preferring to take his chances with the US. <crossing-fingers>

 

Love these quotes. "Egg really sticking it to all the HATERS, they prolly crying right now!!!!"

Erm...nope. Egg has been absolutely horrendous with NT results and player selection, but he's turning a corner and crushing it with dual nats/maintaining contact with everyone. I said before, ever since Araujo came out and said it was crickets from USSF, it's been a complete 180, with numerous guys saying Egg is constantly in contact. Add to that the Dest commitment, and now even getting Musah into camp, and it's very, very impressive.

People don't hate the person, they hate the performance. His performance in "recruiting" players, a very important aspect of managing a NT, is currently excellent. Why would anyone be unhappy?

 

Me too. I wonder if he is using us to get the attention of England and Italy.

 

We always knew GB is a great recruiter. His game plan is what most of us question.

 

I thought he has an Italian passport, otherwise, how can he work.

 

ill say it’s more important for Robinson and Dest to be there.

 

Yunus Musah has international options. Four of them, to be exact. But #USMNT has its chance to make a grand pitch. @brianstraus on the courting process for Valencia's 17-year-old rising talent, and his path to next week's U.S. camp https://t.co/aPY9GIKaqb

— SI Soccer (@si_soccer) November 4, 2020

 

that was great from straus. a lot of good reads today

 

Good article. I like the fact Egg is so active with recruiting, but still adds in the importance of being "all in" with representing the US, and having that connection. I think he's struck a nice balance during his interview yesterday. It's not as Klinsy-esque, where it only matters who is willing seemingly, and it's not like Bruce, who just wanted guys in MLS/players who developed and grew up in the US.

No one seems to know if he's going to play or not, but I assume he will since I would think Egg would have said otherwise. Presumably the switch is easy, but still nice to see.

Also - seems this isn't just a spur of the moment decision, but one that has been discussed over multiple months. Makes me feel even better, that it might be the kid/family is more committed than just randomly accepting a call-up (kinda like the Soto story recently with Chile/US).

 

I'm not exactly sure what you're asking here. He can work in Europe with a UK passport, which we know for certain he has as he's represented England at youth level.

Now in that latest SI article Straus claims he's eligible for Italy but I still have some doubts, since I have yet to see it reported in the Italian press, and I have some questions about his residency timelines in the country.

 

When did you know that? No one knew that?

 

Which part you didn't know?

 

You made a definitive statement about Berhalter that sounded like bullshit. You already knew he was a great recruiter? How?

 

Look at the kids he is recruiting. Other prior NT coaches would wait for a player to make first-team and with dual national team players that may be too late.

Where is the bullshit?

 

I agree that he's doing a great job recruiting. You made it sound like you knew he was a good recruiter all long (prior to getting the Nats job). Maybe I'm misinterpreting what you wrote.