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Johannsson cleared to play for USMNT vs. Bosnia

AronJohannssonUSMNT1 (ISIPhotos)

Photo by ISIPhotos.com

By DAN KARELL

On Tuesday, the U.S. Men’s National Team received the news they were hoping for.

U.S. Soccer announced that FIFA has approved Aron Johannsson’s one-time switch to become a member of the USMNT setup, clearing the way for Johannsson to make his debut in Wednesday’s friendly match in Sarajevo vs. Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Johannsson announced on July 29 that he wanted to pledge his future to the USMNT over Iceland, the nation where he grew up after spending the first two years of his life in Alabama. On Monday, the AZ Alkmaar forward was included in the USMNT roster, and now he’s officially eligible to play for the squad going forward.

What do you make of this news? Excited to see Johannsson suit up for the USMNT tomorrow? What are your expectations of him? Do you see him starting or coming off the bench?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. Look Klinsmann asked Johannsonn to go with his heart. The US has always been a melting pot. Even if he knows nothing of the US don’t you think he is going to be finding out all about the US now. Not only that it is good for US soccer. He is not guaranteed a position. He will have to fight for a spot and that will push the other US players. We don’t know him yet but as he becomes part of the group and the fight for qualification we will. Go USA!

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  2. Ives, please change the comments back so that oldest come first. The comments have been a major positive for this website, but are incredibly hard to follow on a phone when listed latest first.

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  3. Playing for Iceland this kid would never see a World Cup, unless Iceland hosted, which is absurd. Now he has a chance to play in potentially 3, IMO. That’s a no-brainer for me. He’s good, he’s young & as soon as he scores for the USMNT or does well in the Eredivisie all the naysayers will silence the rumblings about how long he actually lived here. Who cares? He’s ours now and there is no turning back. Get over it

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    • Iceland is actually in excellent position to qualify for 2014 (albeit not in as good a position as us). However, that said, I am super pumped to have Johannson in our camp and I have to get in a Roll Tide! however tangential the connection may be.

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  4. Not sure about his previous comments re other “dual nationals”, but from what I’ve seen, I think Slowleftarm has a bit of a point about AJ. Calling it opportunistic sounds a bit harsh, but… it is a thinner connection than any we’ve seen since Jones.

    That said, these guys are citizens. They do CHOOSE to play for us among other nations, and I’m not sure what their nationality – whether dual, triple (Corona), or otherwise – will have to do with team chemistry.

    It’s not like nationality causes one player to sleep with their teammate’s wife…

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    • Yeah, but there’s nothing thin about Jones. His father is a US citizen and he lived in the US (Chicago) until his parents got divorced which, from what I read, was 10yrs old.

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    • No, Slowleftarm doesn’t have a bit of a point. As SanFran notes, he has no legitimate argument at all. This is evident if you look into his comments, and in fact is also demonstrated by your second paragraph here.

      Beyond ability, of course, the one and only question that is relevant is a player’s status as a citizen. If a player is a citizen of a country, then (assuming he’s not a dual citizen who has already committed elsewhere) he gets to play for that country.

      Absolute end of story. A person who thinks something else is relevant is misguided, or someone who needs to go find another sport to follow, or perhaps limit his interest in soccer to the club side of things.

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  5. Dual nationals with the USA. A dual national with the USA and some other country is eligible for selection to the USMNT as much as USA citizen is eligible. Get over it and get behind the USMNT. Dual nationality squad:

    Tim Howard: USA/Hungary
    Carlos Bocanegra: USA/Mexico
    Edgar Castillo: USA/Mexico
    Jonathan Spector: USA/Germany
    Stuart Holden: USA/Scotland
    Freddy Adu: USA/Ghana
    Jermaine Jones: USA/Germany
    Sasha Kljestan: USA/Bosnia
    Oguchi Onyewu: USA/Belgium
    Maurice Edu: USA/Nigeria
    Landon Donovan: USA/Canada
    Jozy Altidore: USA/Haiti

    I probably missed some others. The United States is known, for good reason, as a nation of immigrants. That reality is reflected in the makeup of our national team. Those who complain about dual nationals have nothing to stand on. Stop trolling dual national haters.

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    • Some Other current Players who qualified for other nations Include:
      Eric Lichaj: US/Poland
      Juan Agudelo: US/Columbia
      Terrance Boyd: US/Germany
      Danny Williams: US/Germany
      Fabian Johnson: US/Germany
      Alfredo Morales: US/Germany/Peru
      Jose Torres: US/Mexico
      John Anthony Brooks: US/Germany
      Mixx Diskerud: US/Norway
      Herc Gomez: US/Mexico
      Chris Wondo: US/Poland
      Omar Gonzalez: US/Mexico

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  6. So if we convince 11 guys with little connection to the US to play for the USMNT and we reach the QFs in Brazil is that something we should celebrate?

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      • Yes because the klan is known for its hatred of blonde haired blue eyed guys. Your ability to act like a grown up when people have views you don’t like is far more “klan-like” than any of my statements.

      • Act like a grown up? You have no idea what acting like a grown up means.

        You think you get to define and choose who plays for this nation and have your own criteria? No. You don’t. There are set criteria. Your opinions are CLEARLY rooted in xenophobia towards those you don’t “approve” or accept of as American–despite them meeting the requirements.

        You have no legitimate argument. You’re nothing more than a bigot clothing yourself in depraved tolerant pockets of society that allow people like you to voice your beliefs and then claim persecution.

        And for your extremely uninformed opinion, the Ku Klux Klan hates a wide-range of things–not solely skin color, but were deeply rooted in xenophobia, religious persecution of non christians and whatever else they felt like at the time.

        Seriously? Act like a grown up?

      • Yes grow up, because your childish foot-stomping is embarassing. And your attempts to shut down debate by calling me a bigot and calling for me to be banned is an unbecoming habit. You should really stop it.

      • “So if we convince 11 guys with little connection..”

        This is so hilariously misinformed. Thanks for the laugh.

      • Actually, you need to stop. You’ve posted this on article after article, and now its tiresome and irritating. You have made your point, but most people don’t agree. So please stop, because now it’s becoming trolling.

      • Even though i disagree with Slow’s underlying position, I keep stumbling upon SanFran’s idiotic comments on this topic and consistent lack of logic. KKK meeting… Really, that’s your lead-off argument?

      • I do not agree with Slowleftarm, but to say that your statements are hyperbolic and off-base is kind to say the least. You just did a major disservice to yourself.

      • I e been watching these comments for days now and I think it’s dangerous to throw around terms like bigot and xenophobe. Will I disagree with slowleftarm I don’t think his comments are racist. After all he’s not calling out jozy altidore, Eddie Johnson, Alejandro bedoya or Sean Johnson. What he’s saying is that players that don’t have a connection with this country are using it to further their own interests. I say if it makes us better I’m all for it however calli g the guy a bigot is not called for.

      • No connection, like being fucking born here. He also came back here for some schooling later in life. It wasn’t his decision at 3 to move to Iceland with his parents.

      • I’m sorry, but unless you’re FULL blooded Native American, your point is moot. This is a country built on the backs of immigrants, which I’m sure, your blood lines are. He was born here, end of story.

      • The Klan hates anyone who is different. They hate plenty of blonde haired blue eyed folk. When Al Smith, a Catholic ran for president, The school board of Daytona Beach, Fla., sent a note home with every student. It read simply: “We must prevent the election of Alfred E. Smith to the Presidency. If he is elected President, you will not be allowed to have or read a Bible.” Fliers informed voters that if Smith took the White House, all Protestant marriages would be annulled, their offspring rendered illegitimate on the spot.

    • People will forget who played but remember we made it to the qf. It would be nice if those players were developed in the U.S., but the reality is we don’t produce enough quality players to field a competitive national team. Maybe in 20 years when MLS becomes a decent league.

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      • We do produce enough player to be competitive. If we don’t have those player that learned football overseas then our style adjusts but we would very competitive and feared.

      • Well, we are as competitive as our players will allow us to be. That’s the point of international football. It isn’t the club game where you can go out and try to bring in better players. But that’s also part of its charm.

      • I love arguments more than the next guy (as my legal education indicates). However, this record is becoming stale. FIFA regulations are black and white when it comes to playing for national teams. If a country defines you as a citizen, you are eligible to play for the team. He is American as defined by the 14th Amendment “Jus Soli”, therefore eligible. End of!

        Arguing little connection/America-ness is a dangerous. It could lead to residency, cultural, ethnic or racial exclusions. I had a friend in college tell he did not see Asians as are really Americans even if they were (unbelievable). I told him tell that to the Chinese who helped build the transcontinental railroad.

      • Maybe on paper but I think guys who actually lived here for a meaningful period of time deserve the spot more.

      • The crux is your belief that “meaningful period of time” is somehow more important than place of birth, when the US has already decided that the “meaningful period of time” can be ZERO, as long as place of birth is the US of A.

      • The US Constitution recognizes birthright citizenship. We are now close to unique in the world in this respect. Everyone who is born here is a US citizen, regardless of circumstances. That has always been the law and I believe it always should be the law.

      • Except the US defines Nationality broader than citizenship. Nationality extends to territories in the pacific etc.

        All U.S. citizens are also U.S. nation, but all Nationals are citizens. So he would still be eligible. He plays either way!

      • er…no “bro” I don’t! Nationals are broader or more inclusive than Citizens. Samoans are nationals, but not citizens.

        8 USC § 1408 – Nationals but not citizens of the United States at birth

        “Unless otherwise provided in section 1401 of this title, the following shall be nationals, but not citizens, of the United States at birth:
        (1) A person born in an outlying possession of the United States on or after the date of formal acquisition of such possession;”

        http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/8/1408

      • woah woah bro, i’m not talking about a legal definition of nationality. I’m talking ’bout the feeling of belonging that people attach to a certain nation. Just like the Basque who don’t have a country of their own, belong to the Basque nation. A good book on the subject is imagined communities by benedict anderson

      • You can’t even reply in the right place! You sill how silly you look when you make comments like that.

      • Disagree.
        There are international rules about who can and cannot play on any given team. If a player fits the rules, then he is eligible. Otherwise, we get vague and emotional standards iike “lived here for a meaningful period of time.” How much time is meaningful? Whose time is more meaningful?
        AJ was born here. He came back and lived here as a teen. He will be a good addition to the USMNT. Sounds meaningful to me.

      • He chose to come to the IMG academy in Bradenton as a teen instead of staying in Iceland with his peers. Family visited the states every year apparently. His US connection (especially soccer-wise) is far less dubious than say, a Danny Williams.

    • I agree with you leftarm, I have nothing against nationalized players playing for the US. A guy like Pablo Mastroeni, who came here as a young kid and has lived here, pretty much, his whole life is a-okay with me. A guy like Sinha, who came to Mexico from Brazil in his 20s and has since learned the language, married a mexican woman, has been explicit for his love of Mexico, I don’t think there is a problem with that. But a guy like A Johannson, who was born here to foreign exchange students, moved when he was still a toddler, and then spent a summer here in his teens, all the while playing with Iceland FA youth teams… Yeah, I’m not jumping the train on that one.

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      • Exactly, you’ll likely never work that hard be that talented. Keep analyzing people from your armchair. Personally I’m glad and proud that my country can draw talented individuals that want to change their allegiance. Look at people like Albert Einstein , or a sports example Hakeem Olajuwon.

      • I never said I was going to be the next Pele. I am talented and work hard in other ways. And I won’t betray my nation just because I can get paid more in another country. Hey look, Albert Eistein decided to become American and live here. Sounds like he was more American than Mercenary Johannson.

      • Wait, so whatever your profession may be. If an English company came in and offered you 10x more than the American company you work for you wouldn’t go?

      • Actual question for you:
        Say your job required you to move abroad. You and your wife have a 2 year old child…..do you leave your child for 16 years with your family in the states or do you take your child with you?
        If you take your child with you…and visit the states every or so….Is your child American Enough to represent the US?
        By slowleftarm and your argument he/she isn’t worthy to represent the USNT since they haven’t lived here or developed here.
        If you can’t see the flaw in your argument now….than it’s not worth discussing any further.

      • Don’t put words in my mouth bro, because thats not at all what I said. Aron’s parents are not American. They are Icelandic. Aron grew up in Iceland. And spent maybe 3 years of his life here, mostly as a baby. It’s as if you went to angola for your work. Had your baby and lived there for two years and then moved back to US. Should your baby represent Angola? Maybe he can legally do it. But is he really Angolan? Is he part of the culture? Can he even speak portuguese?!?! If YOU can’t see that, than it’s not worth discussing any further.

      • If I can add my two cents. I’m a US-born national living abroad with two children, one of whom is a promising soccer player. Technically, he is qualified to play for the US, if it ever came to that. Do I consider him American? Not really. Doesn’t live there outside of the yearly visit for a few weeks. If he were play for the U.S. it would all be within the rules, but still somehow not right….

      • and that’s with you being a US citizen. Now just imagine Aron with both parents from Iceland, having lived in Iceland for the majority of his life! Can’t be blamed if I think he has his career in mind in choosing to represent the US

      • Except Angola does not follow Jus Soli or citizenship by birth and the US does. If they did, then the kid should go where his heart lies.

      • Im not saying aron doesn’t have the right to play for our team, but i don’t think he should. That’s because i dont think his heart lies in the US. I think he wants to play in a world cup and i haven’t seen anything that has changed my mind.

      • How can you know what is in the heart of someone you’ve never met nor has had an opportunity to show his commitment to the team/nation?
        His having filed his 1 time switch without having even attended a camp to me shows considerable commitment.
        He will have to prove to the coaches that he belongs on the “A” Squad, same as any other player within the Pool. And as a US Citizen it is within his rights to represent the country if he proves to be be good enough. At this point that is all he’s been given….An oportunity to prove himself.

    • slowleftarm,

      he was born in the USA. He also went to high school for a year in the USA. He also played in a youth academy in the USA.

      what’s this nonsense about no connection??

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      • If there is any team in the world that is fit to be made up by multiple cultures and nations, it is USA since we are a nation built by immigrants.

      • Well the point Tom was making that our country is a country of immigrants. I didn’t disagree with that and pointed out that Aron has not chosen to immigrate. I didn’t say he couldn’t play. You gotta pay closer attention to what people write before you make comments or you just look plain ol’ silly.

      • And how do you know that he doesn’t plan to live in the US? Currently he lives where he plies his trade….but that doesn’t exclude the possibility that he wont live in the US in the off season, or after his career in Europe ends.
        You seem prepaired to pass judgement on someone without giving them an oportunity.

      • +1 also if you don’t think he’s bought a house or has plans to do so in America, you’re crazy. Therefore, he’s immigrating.

  7. I haven’t seen him play but in his highlights online. Can someone more knowledgable explain his skill set, strengths,weaknesses, potential ceiling,etc… What’s the buzz on this guy in Europe? Who would you compare his game to?

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    • He’s regarded as one of the very good to great young strikers in Europe. He walked right into an Eredivise team and started next to Jozy–scoring even more frequently than Jozy was.

      Look for him on an EPL/Liga/Bund team or Kevin Bacon stunt double in a couple years.

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      • What are you talking about? Dude has played a grand total of 7 games for AZ and you’re crowning him the next great striker in world football. Get a grip.

      • Wow, your absurd political comments had masked the fact you know absolutely nothing about football. I guess now I know better.

      • I think you are stretching a bit re: playing with Juzy, he was his replacement and only played together a total of less than 15 minutes.

        His stock is in the rise but I wouldn’t say he is a great young striker in Europe…yet.

        He has a knack for scoring even when he was playing as a sub for Jozy.

    • Tidy and efficient. Never seems to have a wayward touch. Positioning seems good, many of his goals have come from rebounds. Question marks would probably be physical attributes, but its tough to tell. AZ are really high on him and his production so far has been outstanding

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    • Nice touch. Pretty good speed. Good vision and ability to connect with teammates. Passes well and makes good runs. Somewhat slight, can be pushed around a little. Playing on and off as a focal point target striker for AZ as JA did, but AJ may be best as second striker. Still hasn’t totally gelled with AZ, but their team is a lot weaker this year. He is very smooth, and has lots of upside potential.

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  8. My understanding is that, if a player has been approved to make a one time switch, it cap ties him and he can no longer switch back. Does anyone know if this is accurate?

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    • He is in fact now a US player. Done, he cannot switch again. Technically he isn’t “cap tied”. That is just semantics though. The result is exactly the same though. He can only play for us, from now on.

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  9. I am wondering about the effect on team chemistry with so many new dual nationals coming on board the USMNT, which basically means guys who have been carrying the load now for over a year in World Cup qualifying and sweating blood for the cause and doing a very good job for the shirt–well, at least a couple of those guys will not be rewarded with a ticket next summer for the WC 2014 in Brazil because of the new guys. Would it make sense to now put a hold on any more new dual nationals until after WC 2014? Or do we just keep rolling along and say the more the merrier? Just askin’.

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    • It’s like you intentionally ignore everything Klinsmann says, create straw mans and act like you’re knocking them down.

      Since day one, Klinsmann has said that the best player will play. Not good enough? Push yourself harder. What is this cliche nonsense of the guys that put in so much work?

      And chemistry? Jozy was advocating for AJ publicly before his switch even went through. Sounds like chemistry will be just fine since they’d play right next to each other.

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      • The key players, who made the difference in the WCQ games, will go to Brazil. However, some of the fringe players (e.g., Wondo, Gooch, Tim Ream) might be left behind, but they were on the bubble anyway. Brooks has the talent to develop into a world class CB and Johannsson also has high upside. Both are great additions.

    • Take “dual nationals” out of your words and replace with “new players”. JK is bringing new players into the mix. It just happens they are dual nationals. The same concerns of chemistry are present whether the new players hold single or dual citizenship. There is no entitlement. New players are brought on every World Cup cycle late in the process. See Herculez Gomez; See Edson Buddle. See Pablo Mastroeni. Being a single or dual national does not give you an advantage. The bottom line is that competition is never a bad thing. Bringing in and introducing new players is exactly that — competition. Professionals should be used to that. They should understand competition makes one better. That’s why I don’t see Johannsson disrupting chemistry one bit.

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    • Oooh careful Biff, any criticism of Germericans will get people up in arms. Now that we’ve expanded dual nationals beyond the Germericans, I suppose we’ll have to create a new word to describe them. Any suggestions?

      Of course your point is valid. Guy who actually deserve to be on the plane to Brazil will be at home because of Klinsmann’s infatuation with these guys. And sure, I guess you can say they don’t deserve to be on the plane if someone else is better. And that’s true. Except that these guys don’t belong in the player pool because they have little connection, if any, to the US or American soccer.

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    • That is a good question, I guess all the players would want the team to get better as long as it doesn’t affect them 🙂

      But the botton line is, if the player is better than what we have should we hold it against the new player for being that good?

      My answer is NO. but I would have an issue if a players wants to switch 2 months before the WC. Parker! are you reading this? don’t wait too long.

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  10. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhh aaaaaaaa, Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh, aaaaaaaa… He comes from the land of the ice and snow, From the midnight sun where the hot springs flow. The hammer of the gods will drive our team to new lands, To fight the horde, singing and crying: Valhalla, I am scoring! On we play with threshing feet, Our only goal will be the World Cup. Waaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh aaaaaaaa….

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  11. This is great news!
    I also would like to see Jozy at the FS and Johannsson as the SS.
    JK comments indicate that AJ may get some playing time if the game is going “well”

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    • Johnson is just a simplified, Americanized, Ellis Island version of Johannson or Johannsen. So in the end, isn’t he more American than us all?

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      • If Johnson is Americanized/Ellis Island version of Johannson a lot of people in Great Britain, Canada, and Australia are going be confused and suprised

      • considering that the Angles and Saxons invaded England (from Denmark- a Scandanavian country) and controlled large swaths of it, it shouldn’t be that surprising. Of course the Vikings attacked the Anglo-Saxons bringing additional Scandanavian influence into England. Then again, Juanes and Ivanovitch or just other forms of Johnson too; I mean how rare can the name be in the Christian world when it means the son of John.

    • They deserve to be pissed, just like all the US fan boys were upset when Rossi said scr3w you to his nation of birth to play for Italy. At least in his case, his folks where Eye-talian.

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      • Agree that they should be pissed, but that he is exercising an option that all of us with dual citizenships/nationalities have.

        Btw, as a side note, you know most countries do not grant you citizenship just because you were born there. Virtually all European, Asian and African countries will not grant you citizenship just because you were born there.

      • France, Germany, the UK and several others in Europe grant citizenship by birth on soil if one of your parents is a permanent resident.

        It’s pretty close to you just need to be born there.

      • Actually it isn’t because in Johansson’s case, his parents were just studying here so he wouldn’t have become a citizen.

        The US is virtually unique in bestowing citizenship based solely on being born here. And, of course, there are good and valid reasons for that, going back to reconstruction.

      • 22% of the nations on this world bestows citizenship based on being born on the soil.

        12 of those 42 nations have a slightly added requirement that a parent be a permanent resident–not even a citizen but simply somebody working or studying long term.

      • However, an overwhelming majority of those countries who have “Jus Soil” are in the Americas. Virtually all the other 10 or so countries who give citizenship by birth require at least 1 parent to be a Citizen or permanent/legal resident.

      • That being said, I can’t wait to see to our forward line for the next 6 years or so: AJ, Jozy, Boyd …wow! They are between 21-23. Don’t forget you have guys like Gatt, Corana Aguadelo on the wings.

      • Yeah, that’s factually accurate but your analysis is completely wrong. It’s not close at all. To get residential status, you pretty much have to prove bloodlines in that country or bloodlines to someone who was allowed to immigrate decades ago. Germany has 2nd and 3rd generation folks with undocumented status because of their opposition to birthright citizenship.

      • It has been a staple of English common law since the late 17th century and is not as uncommon as you think.

      • Sure, fans absolutely have the right to be pissed. That doesn’t change the fact that the FA was entirely unprofessional in their public statement. Saying that they hope the fans and the media put pressure on him to change his mind? That was a bit too “five year old throwing a tantrum” for me. Saying there was no logic to his decision? Patently false. It was a poor statement for them to come out with. I cut them a little slack because it sounds like it was their first experience losing a dual national, but not much.

      • I agree with the Iceland FA. The only logic to his decision is that he wants to play a world cup. If he could do so with Iceland, it would be a safe bet to think that he would choose them.

  12. I’d like to see him go 90 with Altidore & Boyd each getting a chance to play a half with him. I also want to see the Bradley/Diskerud combo but that is for another page…

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      • So I guess we are back to trashing EJ again? Nobody has said the guy is a world beater but he has done his job for the Nats this past year…

      • I agree. People put down EJ, but he has been been solid for the USMNT, revived his career on the club and international level, and has speed that we can still utilize. Why do people feel the need to put down an American that has fought his way back from obscurity to being a contributor?

        I’d take Aron or even Boyd over him, but let’s not berate EJ for bouncing back to be a solid option for Jurgen.

      • I have been talking trash about EJ now for about ten years straight, but that all stopped this year. He definitely deserves more respect these days. He seems much more aggressive pressuring the ball now, and makes better runs, and hey, is scoring important goals.

      • agreed, these guys will need to earn their spots. Both JAB and AJ should come in as subs, althought with the Orosco injury maybe JAB is forced into duty. Lord knows I don’t want to see Ream get pushed out of the way anymore.

    • Think so? I would be surprised if he got the start after just joining the team. Hope he plays at least 30 though

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      • Jurgen’s quote was “If all goes well in the game, hopefully we can get his debut tomorrow”. Sounds like he isn’t starting.

    • EJ will start. You don’t fly him from Seattle to Bosnia only to have him come off the bench for the last 20 mins of a match.

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      • You fly him over thinking Johannsson doesn’t get cleared in time and Johnson starts. Johannsson is cleared earlier than they thought and then Johnson doesn’t start.

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