A one month loan deal. That makes two Americans at Huddersfield http://www.skysports.com/skysports/article/0,,45-1125832,00.html For what it is worth,Thorrington has not made the bench since 10 January. He has not played since 22 November.
I haven't seen the subject come up lately, but is Rachubka eligible for the Nats now? I think he had been tied to England after playing in a youth match, but that rule was revoked, so he's eligible for us now, right? Admittedly we don't need keeper help, but I was wondering.
FIFA changed the statutes in Oct 2003 regarding players that are eligible to play for more than one nationality. As long as he hasn't played in an "A" International match, he can can submit a request to change nationalities. I believe this is what Kanoute did so he could play for Mali instead of France.
A. I don't want a guy who chose to go with another team. He knew the rules at the time, despite the fact they may have changed. This guy is not an American for soccer purposes...to me at least. I pity those who think otherwise. B. He's nowhere near good enough at his position to play for us, so it doesn't matter anyway.
I'm pretty sure Earnie Stewart's first choice was to play for the Netherlands, but he worked out OK for the US.
I hope you're not comparing the two cases. If so, I've seen better comparisons in my lifetime. I don't remember Earnie being born in California. Also, Earnie didn't play for another team and then want to switch later on. If Earnie had ever played for Netherlands, I'd feel EXACTLY the same way about him that I do about P.R.--we don't want you to switch.
Re: Re: Huddersfield Sign Rachubka I thought I remember reading that Earnie did make a Dutch youth team, but never got off the bench so was never cap tied. But maybe I'm dreaming that. Whatever, we obviously disagree on the importance of consistent loyalties for USMNT.
In case you are not aware of Rachubka's season it has been an interesting one. He sat out the first 4-5 months with glandular feaver. I am not too sure what it is, but to have it keep him out of action for so long it must have been bad. Charlton Athletic is committed to him as their second keeper, so they sent him to Burnley for a month loan to get some match time. This happended at the beginnig of Feb. He never left the bench. Alan Curbishley was not too happy with that and when the loan ended, he quickly found somewhere where he could play, Huddersfield. Of the three matches he has been able to play, he has started the last two. The first was the day after the loan began. The now second keeper at Charlton, Leite used to be a U-21 starter for Portugal. There have been reports linking him with Crystal Palace. Rachubka is the second keeper when healthy. Dean Kiley, the starter, is one of the more consistant and underrated keepers in the EPL. That being said, I think he is in his mid-30s. Rachubuka is in a great position to replace him as starting keeper for one of the up and coming EPL sides.
Rachubuka has led Huddersfield to 2 wins in 3 matches. Both wins were shutouts and the other match was a 1-1 tie where he and a defender miscommunicated and that led to a score.
Actually, Thorrington just got loand out to a higher division team last week. Can't remember who though. It is a team fighting the drop though.
Huddersfield needed a goal from youngster Anthony Lloyd to earn a 1-1 draw against lowly Rochdale. The Huddersfield manager blamed the result on the poor officiating which prevented the Terrieres from getting into a rhythm. The Rochdale goal was scored as a "20-yard drive flashed through a crowd of legs and past unsighted keeper Paul Rachubka." It sound like Rachubka was not a fault for the goal. http://www.ananova.com/sport/rugbyu.../sm_893213.html