http://www.elevenaside.com/shelbourne/story.asp?newsid=8742 "Revolution is the club of 100-cap USA international and former Everton forward Joe-Max Moore as well as Irish-American striker Pat Noonan, who is tipped for a big international future, either with Brian Kerr’s Irish side or that of his homeland. "
Has he ever been asked which country he wants to play for? How does he qualify for Irish citizenship? Since Ireland is in the EU, if he ever wants to make a Europe move, holding an Irish passport could come in handy.
From following Noonan closely since january, It seems to me that he doesnt have the desire that other great (national team) stars have. He seems to layed back for a international star. So I doubt he would have much dedication to a national team especially if it is one he must travel across the pond to be with. So if he gets to make the decision, I believe he would choose to stay home.
I don't think he is going to Republic of Ireland. There are alot of Irish in the North East but I would think he is going to stay and play for the USA. Just like Joe-Max Moore has for so long.
More importantly, is this the first instance of another country (at least a reputable country) trying to poach an American player?
While entering Home Depot Center at MLS Cup, Noonan told Ben Olsen he was gonna be at the USA camp in December.
There's a GK who was born and raised in Cali, and ended up playing for Denmark or Norway. I think it was Espen Bardsen. Also, ManU's Paul Rachubka was poached from us. Also, Paulo Wanchope spent much of his childhood in the States. I don't know how long, or whether that qualifies. Are they? I'm not being an ass, I just want to be sure here. I thought they weren't. But I very well could be wrong. I think it's unlikely Noonan will be that good. He's kinda old to make a major improvement. But then, the US is in a unique position, where we really don't know how to evaluate a player like him. Should we evaluate him by his age, which would indicate he's not far from peaking? Or should we evaluate him by his professional experience, which would indicate he could get alot better?
Ireland are in the EU. The fifteen current members are: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Ten more coutries are joining (in 2004 I think): Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia. As far as Noonan goes I think you've summed up his situation nicely. He earned a call up this year but I don't see him as more than a fringe nat, he'll be useful in some qualifiers and as cover but probably not much more. I think you're right about the evaluation problem too so i'll split the difference: because of his lack of pro experience he'll be able to improve still, but because of his age that improvement will be limited.
Ireland in EU? Yes and no. The United Kingdom of Great Britian is part of the EU and that includes Northern Ireland. For eligiblity requirments Irish nationals are considered able to play in England.
Not to further hijack this thread, but they are in the EU (have been since) and hold the presidency next year. As for Noonan, if he really wants to play for Ireland, he should do it. He would have to weigh playing for a country on the other side of the ocean as well as playing for a country that isn't always a lock to make it into the WC and Euro. The Irish team is not as deep as the US's so that is something else to think about. On a similar note, if you look at ussoccer.com there is an article on Whitbread in which he sayst hta he chose the US over England: http://www.ussoccer.com/news/fullstory.sps?iNewsid=47135&itype=113&iCategoryID=0
If Noonan has ideas about playing for Ireland then he'd better start playing in the UK quick. There is little or no coverage of MLS over the pond and I doubt Brian Kerr, the Ireland manager has ever heard of Noonan even though he is known for being meticulous and keeping track of every player he has. Ireland is pretty thin in the striker role with only Robbie Keane being a truely good one. At times Duff plays just behind Keane but he really is just a winger. We have to rely on other much less superior players mainly from the lower divisions in England.
This kid went to DeSmet High School in St. Louis and is American as apple pie. Somebody's smoking something somewhwere.
Unless the USMNT is playing the Metrostars I don't think Noonan will be there. There are many players in the pool above Noonan at this point and his record outside Metro matches is pretty damn average. This guy needs to develop more before we start talking about National team status. However like I said, if the USMNT team ever had to play the Metros I would start Noonan over anyone.
Irish nationals are considered eligible to play for England? I don't think so, Onionsack. Northern Ireland are part of the UK, but players from the North are only eligible to play for Northern Ireland, just as Scots, Welshmen and Australians can only play for Scotland, Wales or Australia unless they have dual citizenship. Otherwise, I think England would have lured George Best into suiting up for them in the sixties. Republic of Ireland (the south) is not, in any way, part of England. It has been a soverign country for about seventy-five years. I don't know Noonan's heritage, but he was born in the US and has lived here his whole life as far as I can tell. Unless he has an Irish parent, or some other means of obtaining Irish citizenship, he is not eligible to play for Ireland.
"Father Ted" is a TV show in Britain. I think I've seen it on BBC America or Public TV stateside once or twice. His avatars usually change amongst the different characters for reasons beknownst only to him.