Let's not lose Julian Green to Germany

Photo credit: ASN

 

As recently as last week, US soccer fans had been alerted to another dual-national youngster that could step up for the national team: Julian Green. Green is a forward and a youth squad player for non other than the famed Bayern Munich of the German Bundesliga. 

Julian Green was born in Tampa, FL to an American father and a German mother and holds two passports: USA and Germany. If this sounds familiar it's because we've seen this play out with Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams and Terrence Boyd. All had a choice between Germany and the US and joined the US team.

Not much differentiates a player like Terrence Boyd (formerly of Borussia Dortmund, now with Rapid Wien) from Green. Both from storied clubs, both in their developmental teams, both eligible for two different countries. And whereas Boyd never took part in German youth squads, Green has already participated in 6 such games.

Thinking back, plenty of players have played for teams other than the United States and still have wound up playing for Team USA: Jermaine Jones (Germany), Edgar Castillo (Mexico), Mix Diskerud (Norway). However, some notable exceptions are Neven Subotic (Serbia) and most famously Giuseppe Rossi (Italy). The latter was born in New Jersey and was invited by Bruce Arena prior to Germany 2006.

Where does this leave Green, Germany and the US? Green should be called up sooner rather than later, hopefully in January if he's available. I doubt the March friendly will count and after that we will wait until after the World Cup. And therein lies the problem. If Green has a breakout performance and impresses enough, he could be called up in September 2014 for Euro 2016 qualifiers for Germany, thereby tying him to the German squad.

Green's next chance to be cap-tied to the United States does not come until summer 2015 at the Gold Cup. Still, plenty of time for call-ups to friendlies and for filing his one-time switch in FIFA nationality. That's right, having played for U19, he now must make an official switch. Another kink might be if Germany calls him up for the U23s for the Olympics. The plot thickens.

In the end, it really is a missed opportunity to see the youngster at least train with the national team. He would only have been able to train in the November friendlies given that he has not filed his one-time switch. As I see it, it's doubtful he will train, let alone play with the national team for many months to come. Until then it is up to Klinsmann and US Soccer to keep him engaged. The last thing we need is another Rossi. Then again, Danny Williams hasn't been called up recently and Terrence Boyd, for all his potential, has yet to score.

The American Bundesliga

Photo credit: US Soccer

In the past, I have written about Americanizing the Premier League, American Scandinavia and the American Glasgow Rangers. But there is another important piece to Americans playing abroad: Germany.

Indeed, the Bundesliga and 2.Bundesliga has become a target for MLS and college players. Donovan tried his luck with Bayern Leverkusen and Bayern Munich. Steve Cherundolo has been at Hanover all of his professional career. Add to this list Kasey Keller, Michael Bradley, Heath Pearce, DaMarcus Beasley, Jovan Kirovski, and the pattern gains more clarity. The Bundesliga is another American base.

Germany is a tough place to play in. The style is physically demanding and the winters are equally difficult to endure. Michael Bradley soared to new heights with Moenchengladbach but lost his place after coaching changes. Landon Donovan never quite convinced with either team he played for. Beasley scarcely saw the pitch, and neither did Pearce.

But there is another reason why there is a new "American Bundesliga." It is the German connection that the US national team has been able to identify and utilize: Jermaine Jones, Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson, Timmy Chandler, Terrence Boyd. All of these players share the same background: a German mother and an American serviceman. These gentlemen stayed and grew up in Germany and were exposed to soccer from an early age. Their automatic FIFA double nationality means they can choose either country. In their case, there is a long waiting list to be a Germany national team player. This line is shorter for Team USA, especially with Juergen Klinsmann at the helm.

The German connection is quickly Americanizing the Bundesliga in a grassroots manner, from the bottom up. No longer is it just a college or a talented MLS player that gets a shot at playing in this legendary league. Now, the league raises American player as their own through rigorous training, match experience and media coverage. These individuals grow up through each of these team's academies. And thus we reach Terrence Boyd, a striker yet to score for Borussia Dortmund but one that his coach has been prepping for the big time. Who is to say that he can't become a breakout star and finally play alongside Altidore?

Only time will tell how this latest Americanization of European soccer heads to. For Germany, the military connection adds a different route, but considering that Ricardo Clark and Edson Buddle both found successful stints in 2.Bundesliga it can be surmised that Americans are ready for this league. They already own it at every position on the pitch, from the academy to the transfer. So hold on, Bundesliga, the American soccer revolution has just begun in your league.