Who is Zelalem?

Photo credit: Arsenal FC

 

Move over, Julian Green. Here comes the next you. That's right, Klinsmann and his crew are at it again and this time they may have just added another highly-rated prospect in Gedion Zelalem.

Zelalem plays for Arsenal's U-21 squad, was born in Germany and is of Ethiopian descent, meaning he could play for either of those countries. The youngster did play for the Germany youth squads U-15 and U-17 but never in an official tournament. This opened the possibility for him to choose the US National Team once he had his citizenship; he is in the process of acquiring it.

As was the case with Julian Green when he became a household name for USA fans, Zelalem has made one official appearance for the senior Arsenal team--in the FA Cup. Green debuted for Bayern Munich in garbage time of a Champions League match.

So how is the capture of Zelalem important? It means that the US recruiting system is in full gear and working like it never has in the past. There is no more losing players like Neven Subotic or Giuseppe Rossi. It also means more pressure on local talent, however.

How do American soccer youngsters react to inclusion of players like Green and possibly Zelalem? This is uncertain. While older players welcomed Green with open arms in training prior to the Mexico friendly in April, we don't know how the average American prospect feels about the inclusion of double nationals.

It is likely that the effects of double nationals is minimal, although far less than insignificant. Already we have Jermaine Jones, Fabian Johnson, Aron Johannsson and Terrence Boyd as likely call-ups for the final 23 to participate in Brazil 2014. That's one fifth of the team. If players like John Brooks, Daniel Williams and Julian Green are also added, this could make it up to a third of the team.

In the end, national team business is about competition. About getting the best possible available players ready for competition. It is not too dissimilar from how club teams behave in transfer cycles. It is a reality of the sport.

Right now, Zelalem is a prospect. It is still up to him if he wants to join the US. He will not go to the World Cup but could be in for the Olympics. He would also enter what's fast becoming a more impressive group of players that could compete in the Russia 2018 World Cup. The soccer planet continues to turn, and Zelalem is a welcome part of the process.

Julian Green chooses USA

Photo credit: US Soccer

The latest coup for the US National Team in the German Connection is Julian Green. The highly-regarded Bayern Munich player has been a target of Klinsmann and US Soccer since last fall when he burst onto the scene scoring 15 goals in 19 games for Bayern Munich II and playing for Germany in the youth levels. 

Green made an appearance in the dying minutes of a UEFA Champions League match versus CSKA Moscow November 2013. And although he has yet to play again for the German giants, it is clear that he will soon a given his exploits.

What's the real significane of Green's choice to represent the United States? He won't be another Giuseppe Rossi or Neven Subotic. He won't grace another country's jersey, just America's. And if he's a breakout player he will be America's breakout player.

It's true that we don't know his true worth yet but Klinsmann is pretty clear about the youngster's talent. The thought of an unproven player at the World Cup might seem hard to swallow for some but let's remember that Bruce Arena was close to bringing Rossi to 2006. 

Klinsmann has excelled in repatriating and plain capturing players with dual nationality for US Soccer. Aron Johannsson, Fabian Johnson, Mix Diskerud and Joe Corona are all integral players for the team. Julian Green can add to that.

We are frankly all very excited about this turn of events. And we won't need to wait that long to see him in a US jersey. If his paperwork goes through, young Green will be available to play versus Mexico in April.

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.

One US player who will not win the World Cup

It's Jersey-born, Italian-American Giuseppe Rossi. The US media (ESPN) had written a piece about America's "Best hope at the World Cup." Little did they know that head coach Lippi would drop the American from the final 23 players. The ESPN piece was written weeks ago and Rossi had been included in the preliminary 28-man squad.

Rossi (23, plays for Villareal) is a name familiar with die-hard US soccer fans, especially after last summer's 3-1 pounding by Italy at the Confederations Cup. There was much outrage at his flagrant celebration after scoring two goals on his home country. He had decided to turn down being in Bruce Arena's preliminary squad for World Cup 2006. We must admit that he would probably start alongside Altidore for the US. Rossi instead decided to play for Italy and did so at every youth level before graduating to the senior team. There, he scored three goals last year.

Perhaps Lippi thought that Rossi hadn't contributed much to Italy lately. Perhaps Fabio Quagliarella was a better option in Lippi's scheme. As much as US fans can gloat about "karma," we have to admit that it would have been nice to have an American win the Cup, even if playing for another country. It's also sad for him given the recent death of his father. In any case, there is still another player with an outside chance at going deep into the tournament: Neven Subotic. Subotic opted to play for Serbia even though the US approached him repeatedly. Before your anger grows towards "defectors," remember that Jose Francisco Torres chose USA over Mexico. He showed glimpses of growth as a player against Turkey and is in strong contention to start next to Michael Bradley in the midfield.

Major switch: the new FIFA national team rule

It's simple. Any player of any age that has not played an official FIFA tournament game for their country (of residence, citizenship, parentage) can switch to a different national team as long as all the paperwork checks. It used to be a cutoff at the age 21. Such was the predicament with players like Neven Subotic, Jose Francisco Torres, Giusseppe Rossi, Arturo Alvarez, and even Freddy Adu. As we all know, Adu and Torres chose the US whilst Rossi, Subotic and Alvarez switched allegiances. The last, Alvarez, formerly a U-17 for the US, dressed and started for El Salvador on September 5th at Sandy, Utah, for the qualifier.

Some fans are still disgruntled by Rossi and Subotic's departures and I can't say I blame them. Both are exceptionally gifted and would have added certain value to the US squad. Until recently, however, only a few chose to stick with the US, Adu and Torres being prime examples. And all of this was mostly, although not entirely, due to the ascent of the US national team in international football. A great (at that point) standing in Concacaf and an appearance at the Confederations Cup. This last one, with the great heights gained by winning two crucial matches and losing to eternal favorites Brazil, surely raised a few eyebrows. Namely, Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo.

Under the new Fifa rule, Jones (27) is elligible to play for the US because his father is American and he clings to that status. He played for Germany U-21 and the senior team in 3 friendlies. He made his desire public before the Confederations Cup. Jones is a very talented player (Shalke 04) that has played in the Bundesliga for his entire career. He is a defensive midfielder and certainly within the pecking order if Bradley and Clark continue to struggle and even if Edu comes back into the picture. Jones is recovering from an injury and won't be able to suit up for the USA until at least November.

Then there is Edgar Castillo. The New Mexico-born, Mexican-American is a natural left back (the biggest weakness with the national team). He plays his trade south of the border with Tigers UANL and played previously for Santos and Club America. Castillo played for the Mexican national team on more than one occasion, but never for an official tournament. His decision to play for America over Mexico came at a curious point in time when the US had just played its first Fifa tournament final and when Mexico was ailing from poor form (which they have recovered from). Right now there are no vacancies within the deep Mexican squad. The US, however, needs help at left back.

Unlike Jermaine Jones, Edgar Castillo is not injured, has had his paperwork approved by Fifa, and is in great form in a competitive tournament. Many out there, myself included, are hoping he's called up for the remaining qualifiers. It's not inconceivable to see him suit up against Honduras and/or Costa Rica given the struggles by Bornstein, Bocanegra and Beasley at the left back spot. Castillo is great going forward and can score goals. He's not a Roberto Carlos at this position nor should he be elevated as such. He's a great option in a field that is weak and shallow for the US. It's a spot that may very well be his to lose come South Africa next year (assuming we qualify). He has yet to play for us, though, so any conjecture on the matter will have to wait until then. In any case, there's nothing better than excellent competition for a spot to elevate every player's game.

Neven Subotic and the US National Team

There has been much speculation regarding one Neven Subotic--an outstanding defender of Serbian roots, American citizenship and German residency--and which country he might represent in the near future as Africa 2010 slowly creeps up on us. I have alluded to this particular situation on previous entries and I still believe he would be a great asset to the United States. Just recently it was mistakenly reported that Subotic had opted to play for Serbia instead of the US or Bosnia (also eligible). This, however, was quickly retracted when Sunil Gulati, the US Soccer Federation Prez himself, issued a communique saying that USSF had spoken with Subotic's representatives and claimed such claims to be "untrue." Earlier attempts by Germany to claim him were thwarted by FIFA due to a technicality involving his status with US youth squads.
So why all the fuss? Some facts: Subotic was born in Yugoslavia, spent his childhood in Germany and his teenage years in the USA since 1999 (Utah, Florida). He attended (and represented) the University of South Florida, played for the US U-17 and was eligible although not selected for U-20. He has spent the past couple of seasons in the German Bundesliga, playing for FSV Mainz (4 goals in 34 games) and most recently for powerhouse Borussia Dortmund (5 goals in 13 games). Clearly, the US backline can use a man of his stature and nose for goal. But here's my take on this debate and I'd like to pick Subotic's brain for just a second. . .
Serbia, former Yugoslavia is clearly no Germany in world footballing terms, but then again the US isn't Yugoslavia in footballing terms either. Yugoslavia reached the semifinals in the 1930 amd 1962 World Cups and runers-up in the 1960 and 1968 UEFA Euros. Let's not forget that Croatia was also once part of the Communist Yugoslavia and their 3rd place finish in France 98 is noteworthy. Many attributed most of the former Yugoslavia deep player pool to playters such as Davor Suker (Croatia) and Savo Milosevic (born in Bosnia, played for Yugoslavia/Serbia). Confusing, heh? And it should be, because Subotic also has the posibility to represent Bosnia, although his Serb parents strongly suggest Serbia as his team.
All in all, I think it comes to this: right now both the US and Serbia have chances of advancing to World Cup 2010. The US may have it easier against foes from CONCACAF whilst Serbia is paired up with none other than mighty France and on-again off-again Romania plus the feisty Austrians. I venture to suggest that Subotic will pick a team that has already qualified or is on the verge of qualifying for FIFA's biggest date, if he follows his football greed... if he follows his heart is another matter altogether. Clearly, the man will be a starter no matter whom he plays for. As for us USA fans let's cross our fingers and hope that France and Romania get the better of Serbia (Serbia has yet to snatch points from either one). We lost Rossi to Italy even though the boy was born in Jersey and now he's scoring regularly for Villareal and will feature alongside Luca Toni in the full national squad. Hopefully this will not be the case with Subotic.
Here he is in action:

Jose Francisco Torres and the new American wave

Yes, that's right. Pachuca's Jose Francisco Torres has elected to play for the United States instead of Mexico and will (might) feature in the upcoming qualifying games at RFK and then Port of Spain. This occurs after being insistently courted by both the US and Mexico for some time now.
Some facts: Torres was born in Texas but has Mexican descent. He decided to skip high school when a good opportunity to train and possibly play for a major Mexican league team (Pachuca) appeared. The 20-year-old has played 20 games for Pachuca scoring once. He also scored during the now defunct Concacaf Champion's Cup against none other than DC United.
So why's this important? Well, it comes on the heels of American-born Giusseppe Rossi's choice to play for Italy instead of the US. That's right, the same Rossi that has been lighting it up with Jozy Altidore's Villarreal as well as the Italians at the Olympics. Another target the US is after and may lose to Germany is Yugoslav-born but somehow American, Neven Subotic. This kid currently features for none other than Borussia Dortmund of the German Bundesliga, having played 4 games and scored 3 goals. Let's keep in mind that he also played in the US U-17 and U-20 teams and the University of South Florida. He's eligible to play for Bosnia (birth), Serbia (ethnicity), Germany (residency) and the US (citizenship). What a mess, right? Point is he hasn't made up his mind yet. Maybe Torres' choice (or dissention if you're Mexican and angry about it) will have some impact in Subotic's decision. The US is riddeled with Americanized players: Preki, Dooley, Adu, David Regis, Tab Ramos, Feilhaber, to name a few historic or still playing. Let's keep in mind that some of the current players are not American in direct descent. These include Onyewu, Reyna, Altidore, Kljestan, Orozco, to name a few. But then again, why are they not fully American if they weren't born here. This whole thing can be a bit silly at times.
What do I think? Well, in an age of nationalized-to-be-with-a-national-team mentality, I think it's perfectly fine to snag up as many players for the national team pool as you can. In the end it's all about the money and, to a lesser extent, the prestige in the world scene. Very few countries remain purists these days, and that includes Spain (Marcos Senna), Portugal (Deco), Italy (Camoranessi), Mexico (Vuoso), France (Trezeguet), Germany (Klose). There's no salary caps with national teams so why not have an all-star side? Of the countries I just mentioned and except for Klose, all those players are ether Brazilian or Argentinian originally. When it comes to soccer, the world is mostly Argentinian and the rest is Brazilian... but that's another blog.