Gaga just seems distracted right now. Cade Cowell said in an interview last year he had the same thing happen to him. He just needs to cut himself from transfer and national team talk and focus on him
Getting distracted doesn't make a keeper run like a headless chicken inside the penalty box. Youth and lack of expierience does. Both are curable with time, but not instantly. He is what he is: a talented kid. Forget USMNT, forget Poland, twitter, think of practicing and playing at lower level.
I am not sure which is worse? Steffen's was clearly bad judgment, he didn't have near the time he apparently thought he had. But to me that seems to be due in a large part due to lack of playing time and more correctable than whatever that mess Gaga had.
Hearing from a source that Gabriel Slonina will announce his commitment to a national team sometime today. Unclear whether he’s choosing the US or Poland, but this is the final and long-term choice. Not just this international window. #cf97 #vamosfire— Brian Sandalow (@BrianSandalow) May 20, 2022 Doesn't sound promising if he's going to the Poland camp, but maybe he's had a change of heart.
Just saw that and thought the same thing... unless he's also announcing that he's withdrawing from the Poland camp... ?
Confirmed: Source can confirm: Gaga Slonina decision between representing the United States or Poland is expected to come today.Slonina has represented US at youth level. Poland called him into June squad. Poland manager has spoke that Poland were confident over securing Slonina's future. https://t.co/7vkenYxjvn pic.twitter.com/RYFw0M4yMx— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 20, 2022
Yeah, that doesn't look good. Would reinforce teens make dumb, rash decisions, no matter how mature they come across. Poland has Nations' League too. So that would cap-tie him until he's 21, if he starts in one. It would be sacrificing results for Poland for long-term gain, because none of the teams they play are Grenada-esque pushovers. He wouldn't be officially gone forever either way, because he doesn't need to file a 1-time switch, as he's not provisionally cap-tied here. But it would be a big delay on his future with the USMNT, at the very least, should he choose to change his mind. And he could change his mind any time after friendlies. At that age, one day you might be into pro wrestling, and the next day 1 of the silliest pastimes.
I think he realizes that this is a distraction, and is looking to get it over with. I also think that either he is going with Poland because his heart is with them, or he’s going with the US because he’s preferred us all along and realizes he can’t use the attention to leverage his way into PT.
There are decisions I understand (ie some of our previous dual mats choosing Mexico) but this one would not be one of them. He’s got a clear shot at the #1 role here down the line, he grew up here, doesn’t speak much Polish…why go play for Poland?
Yes but which of those two it is, is rather important! Obviously we're all biased, but objectively if he chooses Poland that is a pretty badly thought out decision. Fans shouldn't give him crap for it, as it's his decision to make. But that doesn't make it any less idiotic.
Maybe he is attributing much of his poor play lately with all the distractions and just wants to get it behind him.
Gregg Saban strikes again. Seriously, ya'll can bitch about the fact that he can't coach all you want. The guy is a recruiting and retention wizard. Jonathan Gomez next please. USA 🇺🇸 USA 🇺🇸 USA 🇺🇸@GabrielSlonina | @USMNT pic.twitter.com/zKPwaSW6WM— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) May 20, 2022
I inferred incorrectly from the timing. It was the explanation he's yanking himself off the Polish roster, from my understanding, he was already named to. That's irregular. Pleased he's still in the fold. He's a bright prospect. As for fast-tracking him, he at least needs to get back to who he used to be, before all the pressure of being fought for by his nationalities, & impending Euro moves. He's recently made schoolboy errors, when he was mature beyond his yrs prior.
All of the issues people have pointed out over the last few weeks remain true. But its awesome to keep building the pool. He's 18 and let's see how he develops. As far as WC place goes, he's probably at worst 5th on the depth chart. Maybe 4th depending on how Gregg views him versus Johnson.
Smart choice... and released half an hour before the USMNT roster is due so it's not overwhelmed by that news, also smart PR.
Due to timing, I'm still going based off the theory that the Poland chatter and hearing everything with transfers and stuff played a part in his form. By announcing this he can focus on playing soccer.
Glad to see there's sanity still around. If it wasn't for the increase in Euro/WC Tournament sides the past few years I'd fully expect Poland to be totally out of the picture for WC's '26 and '30 and Euro '24 and '28, to switch to a side that would have had to struggle mightily to have any chance at all of qualifying for major tournaments in his career would have been insane. W/the changes to those tournaments, it's easier to qualify now, but still no lock, and Poland is a pretty damn weak side, in my view, these days beyond boasting the worlds best or nearly best striker. Even if it was just self-interest, its just common sense to focus on playing for a side that's hosting the next WC, and should be a lock to qualify in '30 as well and could be the source of massive marketing dollars.
Interesting side note, this could be HUGE for U20 and finally, U23 Qualifying for the olympics. If not for a horrendous goal keeping error from Ochoa, we would have been tied up with everything on the line for the olympics last spring, with Gaga back and the distractions gone, I like our chances to qualify for everything given a little luck next month. I wonder what he'll be called in for, the U20's or our friendlies or what?
I wonder if Gomez will be with the U20's? I kind of remembering him saying he had checked out Mexico's U20's and wanted to do the same with the US. I though he had a chance to be named to the full roster nbut being the starter for the U02's may be better or him since he's still breaking in to his club team.
Time for... locking this thread maybe next time, poland pic.twitter.com/EDEHDJclmA— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) May 20, 2022
Essentially...................Poland calling him up to their Nations League roster forced him to make a decision right now. Poland may have done us a favor there.