Photo courtesy of FC Nurnberg
By FRANCO PANIZO
It has been almost a year since Timmy Chandler last played for the U.S. men's national team and although he has turned down a number of recent call-ups due to injuries or fatigue, the talented youngster insists he is still open to representing the United States in the near future.
Despite not suiting up for the U.S. team since last November's friendly win over Slovenia, and even with him rejecting cap-tying matches throughout the year, Chandler insists he is still interested in playing for the United States. The 22-year-old right back maintains that FC Nurnberg are currently his first priority, but he is not opposed to getting called into thenext USMNT camp, which will take place next month ahead of two cap-tying World Cup qualifiers against Guatemala and Antigua & Barbuda.
"I'm still happy to play for the U.S. national team but right now I want to commit 100 percent to Nurnberg and stay here with the team during this time," Chandler told SBI through a translator. "But in October and until the rest of the year there are enough games for the national team and if [U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann] still wants to invite me, there's still an opportunity I'll play."
Chandler admitted that he does stay in contact with Klinsmann on a regular basis and he also said the two talked in the days leading up to the U.S. team's September camp. Chandler did not go in detail about was discussed, nor if the conversation was about a call-up or just as a means to keep a line of communication open between the two.
Why then has he been so reluctant to play for the United States?
Chandler explains that part of the reason is due to his commitment to Nurnberg, the club that gave him his first chance as a professional, but he also does not shy away from his dislike of the heavy travel that typically comes with playing for the U.S. team.
"It's always a great experience to see other cities and play for the U.S. national team," said Chandler. "The only thing I don't like about it is the traveling."
"That is a part of it and I use the example of the (recent) Mexico game. For four days I would have had to travel to Mexico and back, right when the season started here, so yes that is part of it."
Regardless of his reasoning (Chandler cited the need for rest either before or in the aftermath of both instances), American fans are, by all accounts, unhappy with the fullback's apparent lack of commitment to the U.S. jersey. Chandler is equally not pleased with their discontentment, but he believes there is not much that can be done about that situation right now.
"Obviously, I'm not happy if they think like this," said Chandler. "But they're not in my head, they don't know how I feel about it, so there's not much I can do about it."
Chandler also downplayed the notion that he has spoken to or is waiting to hear from the German National team, though he stopped short of saying unequivocally that he would never play for Germany.
"There has still been no contact from the German federation," said Chandler. "I've always spoken openly about everything with Klinsmann. The only thing is that I want to concentrate on Nurnberg right now."
In terms of World Cup aspirations, Chandler does want to play in the 2014 competition in Brazil. It would be the latest career accomplishment for him should he get there, but Chandler knows it is not completely in his hands, even if he says he is still 'totally open to playing for the United States.'
"I am thinking about (the World Cup), but I just want to see how the next few weeks and months go along," said Chandler, "and if Klinsmann still wants to invite me, we'll see about that."
Aside from his international standing, Chandler is also in the midst of another season with Nurnberg. He reportedly received interest from VfB Stuttgart earlier this year, but opted to re-sign with Nurnberg this past spring on a deal that runs through 2015 to demonstrate his loyalty to them.
"I wanted to show that Nurnberg is one of the bigger teams of the Bundesliga and it was a decision of the heart," said Chandler. "I wanted to show Nurnberg that I'm thankful for what I've achieved in my time with the team so far."
The current season got off to a poor start for Nurnberg and Chandler, as they suffered a shocking 3-2 extra time loss to fourth division club Havelse in the first round of DFB Pokal. It was a wake-up call for Chandler and his club, and they responded by grabbing two key results.
Nurnberg began the Bundesliga campaign by first beating Hamburg SV, 1-0, and they proceeded to tie with defending champions Borussia Dortmund, 1-1.
"We started well with four points against good teams in Hamburg and Dortmund and we want to gain 40 points that will keep us in the league as soon as we can," said Chandler. "We will try to keep going the way we started (the league)."
Playing in the Bundesliga does not just give Chandler a chance to get consistent minutes for the club he thinks so fondly of. It also gives him a chance to talk to fellow German-Americans such as Jermaine Jones, Fabian Johnson and Danny Williams about how the U.S. team is doing.
"I still am in contact with all of them, texting on the phone, when we meet in league games," said Chandler. "That doesn't depend on me being invited to the national team or being there. We're in contact and yes we talk about the U.S. team as well when they do."
Chandler's relationships with his U.S. teammates, and his professed affection for playing for the United States suggests that Chandler is a player who plans on being a U.S. men's national team fixture for years to come. That still isn't likely to ease fears that Chandler is secretly holding out to play for Germany.
The only thing that will ease those fears and re-establish Chandler as a future U.S. star is if and when Chandler plays in a World Cup qualifier, which would tie him to the U.S. team permanently. His next chance, and perhaps his last chance, to do that will come in October.
It would be helpful if we knew whether or not three key questions were asked of Timmy during the interview. The article does not tell us.
1. Was Timmy asked directly whether Klinsmann invited him for Jamaica? If yes, then that means Timmy declined to answer and would make it seem that Klinsmann invited him.
2. Was Timmy asked directly whether he would accept an invitation in October for WCQs against Guatemala and Antigua & Barbuda? If yes and he declined to answer with a firm “yes” but instead with a wishy-washy he’s “not opposed” to an invite, then that likely means he’s not opposed because he will simply decline yet again for the umpteenth time–no big deal–as he waits for a telephone call from Jogi Low.
3. And was Timmy asked point blank whether his first choice would be to play for Germany and the USMNT second choice. This is the key question, and I can only assume that Chandler was asked and for a third time failed to answer a key question = “he stopped short of saying unequivocally that he would never play for Germany.”
Oktoberfest is actually Sept 22-Oct 7th in Munich, should have plenty of time to sober up and make it in time for the qualifier on the 12th…
Let me Google slash Wikipedia that for you… or you could just follow soccer news as it has been discussed just about everywhere over the last few months!
It is interesting that he is talking about it. I am one who tends to take people at face value, but temper that with what they actually do.
Chandler has said more than once he would like to play for the US, he has never said he would rather play for the US than for Germany. He also by all accounts has had no opportunity to play for the full German national team. He says he does not like the travel implicit in playing for the USA (and unlike most US players, it would not be a chance to visit family and old friends). So what he says is he would play, but is pretty much stopping short of saying he will bleed for the chance. The work ambivalent comes to mind.
What he has done is refused call-ups that would tie him to the US and some other call-ups that would (he says) interfere with his commitment to Nurnberg. Again the word ambivalent comes to mind.
Predicting what a 22 year-old will do is always an iffy thing; I guess we will know when we know.
you foolish American!!! Tim Chandler is German, barely speaks English.
What about Timmy Ream??
Oh right he is a disastrous CB who gets outmuscled every other week, never mind…
My guess… look at his coach. Realized that playing for the US meant a lot more travel than if Tim played for Germany. Didn’t really want the extra wear and tear and has encouraged him to wait for a Germany call (or at least lessen his time with the US team).
Some players end up feeling an inordinate amount of pressure from their teams and they don’t want to risk the big paycheck for international duty.
This guy is not a good human being, that much is obvious. We don’t need people with sub par morals playing for the USMNT. We’re above this behavior.
On an unrelated Nat topic – Is tomorrow’s game available on television? My local listing says beIn Sport – What is that? …little help please!
This is BS, Fabian Johnson’s English has always been decent. He didn’t need a translator even on his first day with the USMNT.
Danny Williams is a bit shaky, but he certainly doesn’t need a translator as well.
In fact, that may be the difference between Jones, Johnson, Williams, and Boyd versus Chandler. Chandler doesn’t speak English well, so it’s probably tougher for him to feel like he’s a part of the American team. The other guys may not be totally fluent, but they speak enough English to fit in.
There is an old coaching axiom for cocking or confused players, “you are needed but not necessary”. I think he should be offered another opportunity only if he comes begging on his knees.
Does he really prefer Germany though? I mean he’s never had to make a decision between countries. Just between his club and country. If anything his loyalty to his club should be endearing to Americans and once he’s cap tied and more established on the club level, who’s to say he won’t show the same loyalty to the US?
He’s done nothing wrong so far, we haven’t commited that much to him other than a few caps in friendlies, let’s just wait for him to make his final decision and until then I’ll take any and all players who want to play for the US. If they choose not to, that’s up to them, not us.
speaking of Terrance Boyd loving the us: soccernet.espn.go.com/feature/_/id/1152629/carlisle:-terrence-boyd%27s-painful-decision-to-play-for-the-u.s.?cc=5901
first off; thank you SBI! I don’t see ESPN, SI or anyone else getting interviews like this and asking the questions we all have!!
as for timmy2; ya i understand the travel is rough. At least you get to visit the Caribbean, California and nice parts of the US in middle of the cold fall and winters in Germany right?! not that bad.. Still your summers should be open.. But the fact is everyone has to do it, look at all the South American and Asian players that have to travel even further for international games, it should be something you do out of pride. If you are not proud and excited to get a US call up then turn it down! It sounds like he is compromising or his agent is telling him that he should settle for the US over Germany.. hopefully he accepts the call for the next round of games and changes his outlook on the US commitment.
I don’t blame him for keeping his options open. Germany is better and, with them, he’s got a chance at a World Cup. That being said, if he expects to be brought along to Brazil by the US without playing before say spring of next year, I hope he’ll be in for a shock. Our team may not be worthy of Germany, but we are not without our pride.
I’d be okay with him if he didn’t play friendlies but played in a consistent run of WC Qualifiers. We’ll see I guess.
I’ve always given Timmy the benefit of the doubt. Fans are always quick to judge. Some coaches are quick to punish a player for going away on international duty. Look what AZ did to Jozy, they held him as long as possible and screwed up his participation this Summer with the Nats.
Great news! Timmy Chandler simply makes us better. Maybe he is afraid of flying like Ernie Stewart used to be. Hopefully, he’ll be back with the team for the October qualifiers.
I hope he gets capped tied soon… Then blames all this on his translator.
“I kept saying I wanted to play for America, but he kept saying I was only open to playing for America! ”
The bigger issue is he has played in 8 games for the usa and isn’t cap tied. If a player has played in X number of games for a senior side, irregardless of whether they are fifa “A” games, he should be cap tied.
Can I get Timmy’s translator to explain this last post to me? Thanks!
I think most people are missing the point of the “travel excuse”. I doubt that he has a fear of flying or that he is some sort of “homebody”, though I could be mistaken. I suspect his comment regarding excessive travel is in the context of travel fatigue and potential for consequential injury. He stated that four days travel would have been necessary to play the friendly in Azteca. This is reasonable in my opinion (at least for a friendly). Of course one would argue that most other European based players do suck it up. Furthermore, he stated he enjoys seeing new cities, so I doubt he is a homebody.
For me his story is plausible, and I still give him the benefit of doubt. Some say he is being immature and that maybe true, though I doubt it. Put yourself in his shoes and think big picture. Perhaps he is showing maturity beyond his years as he weighs this decision (and the timing thereof) very carefully. I for one expect him to be a Nat by the beginning of the hexagonal. If not by then he will likely not be playing in Brazil.
I have been lurking here for three years and enjoy this site immensely. Thanks for hearing out my opinion.
Cheers
Just read it – really interesting. I’d highly recommend it. Thanks Patrick.
Interesting. Thanks for the info. I know Williams was tearing up during the National Anthem in his first outing. It’s impossible to predict how these folks with different national backgrounds will view their heritage. Everyone looks at it differently it seems.
don’t know if you’re expecting an answer to your first question, but for your second:
Some of us think that playing for your national team has more to do with representing your country than the chance of success in international tournaments.
Lol. I try to use my heart and brain together, at the same time.
I agree.
If he can’t help us during qualifying he should not be “able” to help us during the world cup.
IV – Your post is sound, but its basis is flawed.
Travel is an excuse for Tim Chandler to hold out hope to be called up for the Germany team. Altidore was truly fighting for his position on his club team, not whether he wanted to play for the US or not.
Tangent, if the US was in UEFA, would we be a Pot 2 or a Pot 3 seeded team for the qualification draws?
My guess. He is still waiting for a Germany call-up, and I don’t begrudge that. Him making comments about possibly playing in October is the same comments he made when he declined the Mexico call-up. He stated then that he would probably accept the next call-up in Spetember. It’s simple people he is stringing it out to see if Germany will call him up. But lets not be stupid here. If he does finally decide to play for the USMNT then all of us USMNT supporters will automatically put him into the starting line-up. You are kidding yourself if you say you won’t.
Yep
He can have that option, but he cannot be concerned that we as the USMNT fans are not happy with it.
Andrew – the USMNT is “MY” team too.
JpJ – I read your post as being snarky because Andrew isn’t a player on the USMNT.
Are you an American? If so, the USMNT is “Your” team too.
Get with the program.
Kevin – your first post was spot on. Chandler will be “exhausted” until early 2014. If Germany doesn’t cap him before then, he will indicate that he is more than ready to play for the US.
I can’t blame him for keeping his options open. If he gets called to play for Germany – he has a real chance of being a World Cup champion. But he shouldn’t complain that we fans are upset with him.
Chandler is our new Dave Regis!
+1000
After reading the story my opinion on this matter is that he will try to hold out as long as he can. So that when we qualify he can just swoop in and play in the World Cup without having had to go thru the grind of qualifying. I think klinnsman should call him up 1 last time in October and if he refuses we should no longer consider him. Just my two cents. Give him one more opportunity and if not we can say we tried but he didn’t want to play for us and we move on.
Perhaps Dolo it is not like he has been in Germany for the past decade.
yeah i know what you’re saying. its hard for me not to feel a little bad for him though: just as he gets his feet under him for a solid pro career, he’s thrown into the international game that he doesnt seem to be mentally ready for, and has to deal with a language barrier.
What he needs to do and how he fixes his “misrepresentation problems” is simple. Either accept (if he gets one) the call-up in October and commit fully to the US, or politely decline for good.
I’ve said before that I hoped we offered him an “Altidore deal,” you know, show up right before the qualifiers and we’ll try and play you, but we saw how that worked out.
But, I think the kid needs to get it through his thick, franken-skull that the USA does not qualify through UEFA and never will. We may schedule some friendlies in Europe to be nice but THE JOB inherently involves Americas travel. If he’s not up for that, hit the road. Of course, if he puts up with it, he gets a fairly sure starting spot and consistent World Cup qualification since 1990.
The irony to me of his stance is that it draws out the length of time the USA has to play meaningful games each round of qualifying. If he’d shown up maybe we could have sewn up this round in 3-4 games. Two trips at most. We might still get there with 2 wins against Jamaica, but by skipping he increases the likelihood that we go to the last two games needing some result, which necessitates serious callups as opposed to Camp Cupcake.
So, to me, it’s like, show up, do your job, and if we win like we should, we let you put up your feet til the hex, we won’t call you in for January camp, etc.
1) The entire country of Germany is smaller is square mileage than the state of Montana and Nurnberg is almost dead center. The most distance he ever has to travel is probably to Hamburg, and that trip is shorter than driving from San Francisco to Los Angeles.
2) That may be true, but having lived in Germany his whole life, odds are he hasn’t been on very many lengthy trips (see #1). He might not have even have realized how little he likes travel until he started playing for the USMNT
Are they still possibly excuses? Yes. Do I wish he would just really show commitment at the privelege of representing the US? Yes. But please don’t state your assumption as his reality.
You don’t sound like a die-hard fan that doesn’t understand the real world. What’s wrong with you?
haha history
please read Jeff Carlisle’s piece on Boyd that was published today. Boyd’s father (the american) abandoned his family when he was a baby, and hasn’t seen him since. He used an aunt as a go between to get his signature on his passport forms. Same with Sydney Leroux
I won’t worry about him doning a US jersey, but if he does, great. We could use him, but we don’t neeeeed him, especially if he’s not committed.
And I understand his reservations. I mean, come on, he was born and raised in Germany, a team that is still way better than the US.
Of course he’s holding out. He’s a promising young player. Why wouldn’t he? Why disparage his desire to play fast, exciting, efficient top-level football for Germany, the country of his birth? With Germany as a potential option, why should he desire a weekend trip to Guatemala, where he can get punched in the gut for 90 minutes with no call before flying back for a mid-week BLiga match?
In any event, if we are going to benefit from dual citizenship, we have to be willing to see a few Chandlers leave for every Boyd that stays.
Not sure what the controversey is… 3…2…1…
No matter how good he is I just don’t trust him. I bet his teammates will have a tough time doing so as well. Which make me wonder why Klinsi keeps pursuing him. We can win the World Cup without him. Yes, seriously.
not at all, no. This isnt a giuseppe rossi case here he didn’t grow up in the US, this guy was born and raised in Germany. Any logical rational person would understand his position, but now it’s gone too far, and he’s caught up in a bunch of half truths and misrepresentations that he can’t undo or take back
Chandler speaks English, though it’s a bit halting. If Zimmerman was referring to Chandler, he was just wrong.
However, there’s no question Chandler is far more comfortable in German, though, and I’m guessing he preferred to express himself in his native tongue for the interview.
It isn’t like he’s in a middle seat by the back lavatory, right?
I mean these guys go business class or better, right? I have to fly internationally for work, and I occasionally get bumped up. When you are in the “front of the bus” it isn’t really that big of a deal at all…this is an excuse.
I’m going to withhold judgment until after we know him better. If his reluctance has to do with the air travel, then I can honestly relate somewhat. But here’s the thing, if I had a chance to represent my country I love playing the sport I love, then I’m gonna find a way to deal with my fears of flying. Meditate, medicate, whatever. And I’ve done this for lesser opportunities, it can be done. It’s hard to deny that he doesn’t seem to have any commitment to the US team. I’m a forgiving person, so if he has a change of heart in October, then I’m all for bringing him in. But if he’s going to be anything less than 100% committed, I hope Klinnsman passes on him for good.
The fact that he’s not willing to fly across the pond shows me he doesn’t give a crap..dude F this guy, move on from him..he doesn’t contribute any type of cutting edge talent to make it worth while…this POS doesn’t realize how many players at his level that are americans would kill for the opportunity. invest in Chris Pontius rather than this Dbag who’s just F****ng Around w Us.
I’m keeping a candle lit until he’s officially cap tied for germany.