The sense I get is that El Tri fully expected and viewed them as theirs and it was a formality, probably but not necessarily based on choices and things said, then this thing blows up on Mexico because of some incredible foolishness w/regards to not getting a 1 time switch in place, and he won't go along w/what they want, and he comes to us, but then he still is open to them? Be honest man, it's bizarre and utterly confusing. I think there's one simple answer, and its probably, he was in Mexico playing, considered himself a Mexican international at that point, maybe, but it didnt matter because he was a nobody 2016-2019, then he suddenly is relevant when he breaks out during the past 3 seasons, and as a result, won't sign away his US eligibility because as you say, why close doors, but the consequences of that for El tri were pretty damn serious, if he's going to go through all this, why still be open to El Tri after all that? They probably aren't open to him anymore unless he's a no doubt about it stud etc. I imagine the fed is pissed off by getting punished, and by finding out he wasn't in the bag like they thought. The simplest way to handle this, was do none of that and file the switch, or reject all of that and stick w/us, still being open to El Tri seems self-defeating to me when put in the context of what happened this past year.
I think part of it right now is that neither Mexico nor the US has a coach. Even if he were leaning US, you don't know who the coach will be or how that person thinks you fit into the national team. It's hard to commit your future under those circumstances. Similarly we don't have any idea as to how the next Mexico coach will see Zendajas and whether that person will want to have him with Mexico.
I don't know. We heard that Berhalter was talking to him last year prior to all of this with the FMF blowing up. That was 4 months ago. Its possible the USSF was talking to him longer ago than that. [I mean.............in 2020 we were calling up fringier players in both Europe and the US than Zendejas.] It sounds as simple as Mexico was trying to get him to file a one-time switch this past fall, which would have permanently cap-tied him. Zendejas didn't want to commit to that yet. He was keeping options open. I mean, as it turns out................the consequences to Mexico for "illegally" fielding Zendejas were almost nothing. Forfeiting friendly results!! Oh no!!! And a slap on the wrist in terms of a fine.
Yep, and that's relevant. I just kinda wish the March camp, w/the regulars was his first example of our setting. Cupcake's are an entity of their own, camps typically only similar to off cycle Gold Cups so to me or other cupcakes, not representative of the chemistry or climate or personalities that shape the room. But yeah, the general instability with both feds is definitely a thing right now.
Obviously it'd be better if he could come into camp with his old teammates Pulisic, Adams, McKennie, Wright, and LDLT. He did say he had spoken to Pulisic in particular about coming in for this camp. I think it's good we have him for this camp and hopefully both he and Vazquez are willing to accept call ups in March (which would be permanently cap tying for both).
I expect to see more of this type of division about Zendejas' future with El Tri: 🍿 Zendejas can play wherever he’d like, it’s his right. This is cray. Don’t think the media/fanbase in Mexico has never been so divided on a dual national. #USMNT 🇺🇸 #ElTriEng 🇲🇽 pic.twitter.com/puIuz1uJzW— herculez gomez (@herculezg) January 25, 2023 They have tended to hold a grudge, though much will depend upon the new coach.
I feel like a foreign coach would be more open to bringing him in, whereas a domestic manager is more likely to carry over a grudge. Mexico definitely could use Zendjas though.
Houston Dynamo and USYNT U19 product Juan Castilla leads Colombia U20 to victory over Argentina and knocking them out of World Cup qualification.'05 Ben Cremaschi can play for only the US U20s this cycle now, but also could choose to hold out for Argentina U20 next cycle. https://t.co/QXE1e3pEac— ChuckMe92 Soccer (@ChuckMe92Soccer) January 28, 2023
Well, this would be a...............development: Barcelona considered Julian Araujo in the summer when Sergino Dest left for AC Milan.They ended up signing Hector Bellerin... who is now likely to sign with Sporting, creating a need for depth RB need again.Mexican legend Rafa Marquez is Barca B coach.https://t.co/xCt4DiHzW0— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 30, 2023
Barcelona though is unlikely to be able to sign anyone at all. They are something like 200 million Euros short of being able to register anyone. And La Liga cracked down on the “levers” they were using to try and make the numbers work in the summer.
He is, but I don't think Barca want him. They'll sell him. ...........Barca is weird. They're broke, but spend money like drunken sailors. At some point all they'll be able to afford.............is Julian Araujo. One way to look at it is, Araujo's Euro move would be yet another feather in the cap of domestic and MLS development programs. Is he good enough for Barcelona? Hell no. But they need bench and Barca B players that cost nothing and they can pay nothing. Dest is too expensive. Of course most of the big clubs in La Liga are in precarious financial waters. Valencia and Sevilla, being dragged into the relegation fight, are exhibits A and B.
Balogun will be the final test as to whether McKennie's friend "29" actually knows anything or is BSing...
Amir Richardson assist Amir Richardson 🇺🇸 🇫🇷 🇲🇦 may play in Ligue 2 currently, but once he gets to Reims and plays consistently in Ligue 1 he will be a huge player. Hopefully the USSF has at least made contact pic.twitter.com/R5mvqsNboN— USMNT burner (@burnerusmnt) January 31, 2023
this is one more reason why I think the US needs to hire the right coach. Bring in a great coach with a resume and players like Balogun or others will be even more interested in joining the USA. Not only that but it helps with all the players and creates excitement. Obvious, I know.
It depends. A big name foreign coach may not be interested in recruiting. The one thing about Berhalter that you can’t say he was bad at was dual national recruiting.
I put this in another thread, but lots of interesting dual-nationals in the CONCACAF U17 Championships team. Most notable is Keyrol Figueroa. He's the son of Honduras legend Maynor Figueroa. Santiago Morales of Inter Miami is the son of Argentine and former RSL legend Javier Morales. Very good roster here, maybe not 100% full strength but still lots of top prospects here.Most notable: Pedro Soma, Cruz Medina, Diego Kochen, Santiago Morales, Edwyn Mendoza, Adrian Gill, Oscar Verhoeven.#usynt pic.twitter.com/bsZxQPG5Vm— Alex Calabrese (@amcalabrese12) February 1, 2023
Notably Christian McFarlane is not on the roster despite being in camp previously. Speculation that he's holding out for England.
I still don't understand how Barcelona can register Araujo. Not that his salary or transfer fee is high because it's not, but they are very much in the hole according to La Liga regulations. See for instance https://en.as.com/soccer/why-wont-laliga-allow-barcelona-to-sign-players-in-january-n/ It could just be that he's going to be registered with Barca B and it just doesn't matter, but is it really in Araujo's benefit to go to Barcelona just to be a B team player?
Balogun hat trick today. FOLARIN BALOGUN HAT TRICK The United States Treasury needs to be enlisted to back up a bank truck filled with cash and close the deal with Balogun. A nation in need of an elite finisher. A 21-year-old striker born in NYC who cannot stop scoring.https://t.co/H1DEd8ZqJL— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) February 1, 2023 It's unfortunate that we are probably going to have to wait a bit on him, as he's getting to the point of being in contention for an England call up this year.
Give this dude whatever it takes for him to commit lol 🚨 FOLARIN BALOGUN HAT-TRICK ‼️ #TRINAT #USMNT 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/mtZpkKRe0v— 🇺🇸 USMNTvsHaters (@USMNTvsHaters) February 1, 2023 🚨 #TRINAT FOLARIN BALOGUN SCORES AGAIN!!!!!! He’s only 1 goal behind Mbappe and tied with Neymar and others for 2nd for most goals in Ligue 1 🔥🔥🔥 #USMNT 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/oG49iPKCHG— 🇺🇸 USMNTvsHaters (@USMNTvsHaters) February 1, 2023 🎥 #TriNat Folarin Balogun GOAL number 2 🔥🔥🔥 #USMNT 🇺🇸 https://t.co/VOltHEtYza— 🇺🇸 USMNTvsHaters (@USMNTvsHaters) February 1, 2023 🎥 WHO TF IS MBAPPE?! #TRINAT FOLARIN BALOGUN’S 3RD GOAL NOW MAKES HIM THE TOP SCORER IN LIGUE 1 🔥🔥🔥 #USMNT 🇺🇸https://t.co/ZdgWBL2GaA— 🇺🇸 USMNTvsHaters (@USMNTvsHaters) February 1, 2023