This is a place to discuss the dual citizens of our team. Do you think they are mercenaries? Do they have legit ties to America? How do you feel about green carders? Soldiers' sons? This thread stems from the offshoot topic that occurred in the Timothy Chandler thread.
Well, we've have American players who were raised and trained in the states go play for other national teams, so it's only fair that players trained in other countries come play for us.
"No more yanky my wanky! The Donger need food!" All this work put into becoming an adult......and one one screen name sets me back 20 some odd years. Just great.
Getting on topic..... For me, the title mercenary has to be earned. I don't think the actions of any of our dual nationals qualifies them for that title.
Never quite understood the "if you don't speak perfect English and didn't grow up here, you're not one of us" mentality. If someone wants to slam them for jumping at an opportunity they're fully entitled to, that's a you-problem.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) @arsynic: Fortunately, if are both in the stands for a game where Chandler is playing I suspect that you will be in a very, very small minority (perhaps even one) with your booing. As always, I complete support your right to express your opinion however much I disagree.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) Unfortunately, I would not be as charitable. If I heard anyone around me booing a player wearing our crest simply because they didn't grow up here, I literally do not know what I would do. But it wouldn't be pretty.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) What about Zak Whitbread? If you want a plastic American, it's not Chandler, Mix, or Jones - all of whom have an American parent, it's Zak. He has no American parents or grandparents. Save for a brief period as an infant, he lived his entire life abroad. He just happened to be born here while his English Dad was working for Umbro in the U.S. And becauase of that, he's a US citizen. He's an American by accident. I sort of turned against Zak when he was with our youth team and the USSF website filmed a bunch of the guys on the team's Thanksgiving wishes to their families. When it was Zak's turn, he said (in a thick Scouse accent) "Hi Mum and Dad, they want me to wish you a Happy Thanksigiving, so I'll just wish you a Happy early Christmas!" Dude doesn't know about Thanksgiving! Zak's a chancer. The rest of the guys I'm cool with. My rule for the national team is: 1) you obviously have to be a US citizen and 2) you should self-identify as an American outside of a soccer context. That's really it. It's actually hard to get US citizenship in this country, so if they qualify, I'm usually cool. And I'd be 300% good with LeToux applying for citizenship and playing for us. It takes a looong time; much longer than it would take Marcos Senna to become a Spaniard.
If anyone wants a good clear example of an international mercenary, they only need watch the hosts of the 2021 Confederations Cup. There'll be plenty on the field on opening day of the tourney.
IMO,if we had Neven Subotic play for US after trying to latch on with Germany, I would label him a mercenary. I know this will stir up a hornet's nest regarding Rongen and the way Neven was treated. Having said that, many players have received criticism, not been selected to rep their country and gone on to better themselves. He played for the US in the U-17 WC in Peru (2006?). He was eligible to represent the US, Bosnia/Herzegovina (birthplace), Serbia or Croatia, but requested German citizenship? Germany???? Neven pimped himself to Germany and when was found ineligible, went to Serbia. When he had a chance to dance with a prettier lady, he took that chance. IMO that action to attempt to get German citizenship to play for Germany labeled him a mercenary. In the land of IF - if he was labeled surplus to requirements for Serbia and came knocking on USSF's door, I would have mixed feelings about him. The Neven would have been a mercenary if he was played for Germany. I know I will receive neg rep for this. It's my opinion though.
The all-dual national team GK: David Yelldell Paul Rachubka Boaz Myhill* D: Tim Chandler Neven Subotic* Brede Hangeland* Miguel Angel Ponce Zak Whitbread Oguchi Onyewu Eric Lichaj MF: Stuart Holden Landon Donovan Jermaine Jones Mixx Diskerud Benny Feilhaber Francisco Torres Michael Hoyos Freddy Adu F: Giuseppi Rossi* Juan Agudelo Teal Bunbury Shawn Parker Adrian Ruelas
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) It is about winning. I will take the entire Argentine or Spanish team to play for the USA even if they do not live here. It is not about winning with locals, it is about winning.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." If they're FIFA eligible and can stand in front of their teammates and say that, then I'm good to go. (And of course they can't suck.)
People are already calling for Bradley's head could you imagine if he decide not to call up Chandler for these friendlies and when asked why he said "because he isn't American enough" As for me if someone if serious about representing us and is proud of wearing our jersey their American enough for me dammit. I was shocked when i read TCs YA article at how much he wanted to play for the US.
Aside: The "Dually" thing isn't going to go away. Something like 1/2 of American citizens have a grandparent that was not born in the U.S.. And, I'll bet that the American soccer playing pool skews to that segment of the population. As young players come up, players who do not have multiple NT eligibility will be the exception, not the rule.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) LOL you are FIERCE my friend. I've made my point enough in the Chandler thread that much more would be repititious, but my point is that players that represent me should have learned the game in some important part in the US. Obviously that rule is not a workable one in real life, but that doesn't mean that the sentiment should be followed by those in charge of USSF. The joy I get out of US soccer is seeing how our players have developed over time, the increasing standard of player this country is producing.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) So because a small minority of the players did not "develop" in the US, that somehow gives you the right to boo them as they are warming up in front of you. Rock solid logic there. I'd venture you're just running your mouth on this board and you don't actually have the stones to follow through on it, especially since you'll be the only one doing it. Now if you want to make a fool out of yourself, go right ahead, but don't come crying when you get smashed in the face with an ice cold Coors.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) I have the "right" to boo any players I feel like. i'm sorry you are so threatened by this, internet tough guy. anyone who "smashes" me in the face with an "ice cold coors" would likely get tossed over several rows of seating, later arrested, and also probably sued for battery.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) I responded less so because I felt particularly "threatened" by your comment, but rather to point out how f***ing stupid you'll look booing players giving their all for the US shirt. Anyhoo, carry on.
Re: Timothy Chandler (all R's) Yeah, that is coming very close to danger territory. There is another kid who has potential for the U-20s, Fabian Hurzeler. As far as I know he was born in the US to German parents and has lived the majority of his life in Germany. These guys are very questionable. This would be the equivalent of Brede Hangeland playing for us. It's tough to say. Like I said, I have ZERO issue whatsoever with Jones, Chandler etc, (even though Jones played for Germany, but that is a different issue) because they are Americans. Hurzeler, Whitbread and co I have a bit more reservations about.