I'm sure he would rather play for the U.S.. the thing is he has to deal with the social ramifications of this.. he'll be known as a sell-out in Iceland for the rest of his life, where he is from, and also who knows about his family/friends etc. and what they are thinking.
Like I said if he wants to play for them fine. We'll find others. Honestly, I'd rather he just make up his mind rather than drag it out. If you want to play for them then do it. Stop stringing both countries along. First, he's for Iceland, then he bails on them, then he talks to Jurgen who he says I don't know, and then he's back on the fence. I'm getting to the point where I'd rather he just say "I'm for Iceland" then constantly sway back and forth. Sidenote: How is he a sell out for playing for America if he's American? It's not like he's a great Mexican born player who jumped to USA to gain citizenship for the US national team.
Is not like Iceland's coach has him pencil in as a starter in fact, I remember reading that Aron was a bit disappointed that he wasn't called earlier in the year
I'm not so sure is in that order, here is my take... 1- he always wanted to play for Iceland 2- was interviewed where answered "if JK would calls him, I would have to think about it" 3- JK called and gave him his salemans pitch 4- Iceland calls him, he accepts and then pulls back due to injury. 5- Aron is interviewed more than once in which he confirms that JK gave him a call. and hasn't made up his mind.
I personally can understand the dilemma, and would understand if he took the entirety of the time until the next Iceland world qualifier in February (?) to decide.. USA - World Cup pretty much promised throughout his career, from what I hear of Iceland's crop of strikers there is less competition on the USA side. Media of 300+ market, marketing opportunities he cant get elsewhere. Tutelage of one of the all time greats at his position (Klinsmann) Iceland - Where your blood comes from. All you know. Where your family and friends are from. Where you played youth football. The only thing he knows about the USA is that he was incidentally born there and spend three years there before he could even understand that. Iceland is his home, and if he were to switch to the USA, he might have a hard time walking the streets in Reykjavik again even after his career. Its a tough decision.
He did attend IMG Academy for a year when he was in high school. And he really liked his time there. Reading some of the articles sounds like some of his Icelandic friends have encouraged him to pursue the US, so it's not like he would be a universal pariah in Iceland if he chose the US. If he were a solid choice to start, he would stay with Iceland. And if he could walk into the US lineup, he'd go that direction. Inertia is the most powerful force known to man and it's easier to not file the one-time-switch and see if you get called up again. I expect that's the path he will take. If he gets snubbed and Iceland gets knocked out, then he'll be open to switch.
Unfortunately, I think your hunch is probably right, the longer he waits the less of a chance he has to make the next WC with us. He is already going to miss the January camp. No one is going to walk in to our starting lineup or even bench without at least being involved in the HEX. The last game report we got of him is that he did a very good job coming down to the midfield and starting the attack from there, which is something our team needs against very good teams. The kid looks to be ready to move up to the next level.
Probably wants to play for US, just needs an excuse to do so. Hopefully Icelandic coach/federation says/does something that gives him that excuse. See Subbotic-Rongen saga for a pattern.
Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta RT @totalfl: Aron Jóhannsson would have gone to the training camps with the #USMNT in January but due to injury fb.me/13t9B9sLu Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta Johannsson would have attended January camp to observe the #USMNT setup before making a final decision. Hernia operation now rules it out Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta All this being said, I do believe Aron Johannsson is more likely to play for Iceland than the #USMNT but wants to keep options open now Brian Sciaretta @BrianSciaretta @orriyrar but then you have this https://www.facebook.com/aronjohannss/posts/406457416101922
A Google translate from one of the linked articles: "[Klinsmann has] been calling several times and has shown me a lot of interest," says Aaron. Aaron was invited to training camp with the U.S. team made in January. "I would do it but I need to undergo another abdominal hernia. I'm not going anywhere in January. I wanted to go and see the possibilities, how they work and stuff. "
You can't ask anything more from our coach, he has done everything under his power. Aron is at least giving us a fair shot at his services.
He Heck even Yura and Armenia might also be there from now on. Luxembourg hopes might even be a tad bit up
This is my first post on here. I have been following this thread and I find it annoying who people are patronising towards my country.