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Report: Julian Green to train with USMNT ahead of Mexico friendly

Jurgen Klinsmann Julian Green

By IVES GALARCEP

Julian Green’s first experience with the U.S. Men’s National Team appears to have gone well enough for there to be another.

The young Bayern Munich prospect will now be joining the USMNT ahead of the upcoming April 2 friendly against Mexico, SI.com reported on Tuesday. Green has been given permission by Bayern Munich to travel to Arizona for the friendly.

Green is still not eligible to play for the United States until he files a one-time Change of Association, but he can take part in training. Bayern Munich had to grant Green permission to join the USMNT  since the Mexico friendly is not on a FIFA fixture date.

What do you think of this development?

Share your thoughts below.

Comments

  1. This works for everyone:

    Bayern wants foot hold in America – with Green on USMNT they get that.

    Pep stated he would like to coach USMNT later in his career – This puts him on the map

    JG gets to play in probably multiple WC, where with Germany he would have been slected for 1 maybe 2.

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      • Or simple Murphy’s law. He wasn’t hit but German-Nigerian Balugun got injured a few minutes in his first match after declaring for Nigeria…vs Mexico.

  2. Klinsmann via twitter:
    “We are absolutely thrilled that Julian Green has chosen to be a part of the U.S. National Team Programs!”

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  3. Check out Taylor Twellman and Jurgen’s twitter account. Julian Green has opted to represent the US! Oh and you might want to check his Dad’s account as well.

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  4. I think this is great! Heck, I’m almost as excited as I was the first time Freddy Adu trotted out on to The RFK Pitch to the accompaniment of fanatical hysterics. Let’s hope it turns out a little better this time, anyway.

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  5. Taylor Twellmen is reporting that in the next 24-48 hrs, Green will declare for the USA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  6. He will be in a USMNT jersey in Brazil. Traveling to Arizona on a non-FIFA date just to train is very telling. He is getting acclimated with the team and showing them what he’s got. I would guarantee him a spot in Brazil without a doubt. This is like the rookie who gets a $5 million signing bonus on an American sports team. It might not seem fair but the potential is worth the gamble.

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  7. WC Roster will most likely have 12 Midfielders/Forwards… so name 12 on the team ahead of Green…

    1. Donovan
    2. Dempsey
    3. Bradley
    4. Jones
    5. Altidore
    6. Johanson
    7. Zusi
    8. Bedoya
    9. Beckerman
    10. Diskeruud
    11. F. Johnson
    12. D. Williams

    If all those guys are healthy I could see Williams being dropped for Green. I wouldn’t agree, but I cold see Bedoya dropped as well. Taking Green would also mean you most likely do not take whoever the in form MLS Striker is (Wondo, Johnson, Magee, whoever), and it means guys like Davis, Shea, Torres, Kljesten would absolutely be left home.

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    • Nice breakdown. Have to think Davis, Torres, Klejsten are all done/out of the picture at this point. Shea only due to lack of options is on the fringes- Green may be the final nail in his Brazil hopes- and that’s not such a bad thing in light of recent history. I see Williams and Beckerman as competing for the same spot- no way both go. I also think Green’s inclusion would finalize what may happen anyway- pushes F. Johnson to a full time defender/starting LB, second option at RB and displaces a defender. I see Dempsey as a CAM/F, Donovan as a Winger/CAM.

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    • is that list in order (I assume it is)…..F. Johnson is much much higher than 11th. I dont think WIlliams is in the discussion. Diskerud may be questionable as well (many will disagree but he is a bit redundant). The thing is that Green offers something that maybe the others dont.

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  8. The level of desperation here is embarrassing. Let’s develop our own players here so we don’t have to beg foreigners to play for us and sit around hanging on the decision of an 18 year old with 2 minutes of first-team experience in his life.

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    • who’s begging? it sounds like klinsmann has left the door open for him to play for his birth country–the home country of his father.

      if green decides his heart is with germany, i don’t mind, and then i wouldn’t want him anyway. but i’d love for him to play for us, especially if he fulfills his potential.

      and i don’t think any of the comments on here are any more embarrassing than your previous comments presuming to judge who’s ‘american’ enough to play for your team.

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      • The thing about Green is if you were going to add one player at the last minute to the USMNT what need would you address?

        I’d argue for a center half, either someone like Cannavaro at his best to organize and lead the back four or a destroyer like John Terry at his best.

        Unfortunately JA Brooks is not yet that guy if he ever will be.

        So the next best thing would be a speedy dangerous forward, someone who can stretch the defense, score and play on the wing or up front. That would allow Donovan to be Robbie Keane and Green to be Donovan and Jozy to be Zardes; or whatever. Forwards are a little easier to integrate into the team at the last minute. Herc and Buddle only came into the 2010 squad at the last minute.

        JK promising Green a WC spot makes little sense in terms of incentive for Green.

        If everything the experts and the fans are saying about this kid is true, then he will play these last 5-10 (?) games for Bayern and if it goes well he should get invites from both Germany and the US.

        If Green is the kind of person he seems to be than he will be confident that both teams will want him.

        So really, JK is better off just giving him the standard “play at the highest level, show me you want this, blah blah blah” sppech.” Of course with Green that little clichéd speech takes on a very different meaning.

        So it comes down to a very personal decision for Green, one I really think maybe even he doesn’t know how it will go right now.

    • The Texas Rangers didn’t balk at bringing in Yu Darvish because they did not develop him. Sometimes you gamble and bring in people who have undeniable potential. Yes, he had plenty of Japanese pro experience but that is still a big question mark just like Green’s experience at the professional level.

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      • MLB is a competition between national teams. Obviously club teams can and should sign foreign players. Is that what the USMNT is to you? Just a glorified club team? No wonder you want to “recruit” whoever you can find to play for us.

      • If you spend any time studying other national teams ( for example, Mexico, Holland, France, England, etc.), it won’t take you much to realize how much we Americans have to be proud of with the USMNT.

        As constituted today the current USMNT is a pretty reasonable microcosm of the American experience.
        The current roster of players is a fine example of a group of disparate individuals brought together for one purpose from a wide variety of origins and backgrounds. From what I have seen and read of these guys they are a very together and welcoming group. It is telling to me how fiercely Jermaine Jones, playing an entire half with a large hole in his leg in the snow bowl game for example, wants to play for the USMNT. Say what you want about JJ but he clearly loves playing for the US.

        At the risk of being naïve it seems that what they care about the most is banding together and doing the best they can for their country. From that standpoint, I am very proud of this USMNT.

    • You know everybody on here agrees we should invest heavily in our development programs right? Like not a single person is arguing we should disband our youth teams so everyone on the ussf payroll can scour the globe for dual nationals. It’s the falsest of false dilemmas.

      The question today is, with a world cup 3 months away, why ignore an american player who might improve our roster, even if only slightly?

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    • Mr.arm,

      “The level of desperation here is embarrassing”

      What is embarrassing is your desperation to characterize the Green efforts as anything other than JK doing his job.

      There are 80 some odd days before the World Cup and JK is trying to earn his 2 million dollar annual salary.

      The USMNT could stand some improvement.

      I would expect JK to turn over every rock and blade of grass before giving up on finding the best possible players for the World Cup.

      The current USMNT talent pool is third rate and is not so great that with 85 days to go, it cannot be improved on. After all as much as I rate Jozy and have little problem with him starting, this is a team that will probably has to start one of the statistically worst center forwards in the EPL,

      JK was hired to get the US to the Word Cup and then field the strongest possible team. JK’s credibility is on the line here; if he feels getting Green on the team makes it better and it happens and it does not work out then he will suffer the consequences, extension or not. People with extensions get fired all the time.

      So it’s on him and in my book, he’s gotten the results and has earned the right to choose the players he wants to have play for him.

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    • No need for fireworks or premature proclamations to a savior, just plain, simple due diligence… bringing in not foreigners, but the best players available that are citizens of this country. Like it or not slowleftarm, the kid is every bit as American as you are by any definition that matters- legally.

      There are no guarantees about what the kid can bring to this point, and thus far it seems, no guarantees have been given that he will make the team. Everything I’ve read quote wise from Green and Klinsman has been that he will be given the chance to COMPETE for a spot. Just so happens that he has little formidable competition on the wing and a pretty good shot at making the team.

      It may be “embarrassing” to you, but it is also the truth that anyone with a shred of knowledge of soccer is well aware of- Bayern Munich develops players better than any entity in the US. There is no shame in giving a player who is a citizen of this country with obvious potential a look… he is also getting a look at what is arguably the best, deepest club in the world by one of the best/most accomplished managers in the world. Do you think it serves what is a quickly improving development system in this country to guarantee its products roster spots, or that they compete based merit and are pushed to continue to up their game?

      Sorry slow, but… the world and/or international soccer doesn’t come close to meeting slowleftarm’s idealized version of black and white cultural purity. You have to know that its a fair bet the lines are only going to be more blurred in the future…. right?

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  9. I can’t think of too many US coaches before Klinsmann who could call up Bayern’s CEO and arrange for Green’s release for training. Karl-Heinz Rummenigge was a major German star, too. Klinsmann is making things happen in whatever way he can (connections). Nice to see.

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  10. I’ve seen a number of comments in which people speculate that Green’s addition to the team might tear it apart or disrupt the chemistry of the team. However, I think two things mitigate that problem:

    (1) JK has always stated that playing at the highest levels of competition is an incredibly important factor for player development. It doesn’t really get any better than Munich.

    (2) There isn’t anyone he’d replace that you could argue is otherwise an absolute lock to make the team.

    (3) JK has shown that he only wants guys who are committed to the team. Chandler has talent but his waivering may cost him a slot in Brazil. Donovan had to earn his way back to the first team in the Gold Cup after his sabbatical. Jozy had to prove he had the right attitude If you aren’t committed you might not get selected no matter your talent.

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  11. I think everyone is getting all excited without ever seeing him play. Im sure he’s good but so are others already in the fold. I’d rather invest in Juan or Aron at this point and only push for Green if Jozy has finally fallen off the radar screen.

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  12. I think he’s trying to force the DFB to reach out to him. Why else travel overseas to “train” with a team that isn’t near the level of the club team with which he already trains daily? If the USA were in his heart and he had his eyes on coming to Brazil, why not file for the switch as soon as JK showed interest.

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    • Maybe jk wanted green to see his competition up close. After a couple days training with davis, benny, and wondo, that world cup carrot might look a little brighter.

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      • Or maybe it was a done-deal in mid-February, Julian was going with the USMNT to Brazil and since then the only concern is when to announce it.
        And the deal was made between Bayern, the Bundesliga, and Julian Green on the one side and the United States Soccer people on the other.

        I believe that maybe is the most likely one.

  13. lol the comments on here made my day…….. look what England did with Theo Walcott in 2006……Pele was also a young lad……donovan ,Beasley in 2002

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      • im saying he got a chance to travel to at least get experience he didnt play cause he wasnt good enough to surpass the other guys. Which Julian might be good enough to surpass some guys

  14. Remember one thing with Julian Green. He may never get a shot with Germany. They always have an up and coming player. With the USMNT he can get one-four World cups. Yes our development is better but he will get more than one world cup with us versus maybe 0 with Germany.

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  15. Green is a good player now and will be in the future. Will he be better than other choices in a few years, only time will tell. I think it would be a mistake to gamble a WC roster spot on potential. If he is good enough now fine, but not for potential.

    This only gets to be a tougher decision of you believe Germany will want him and he would chose Germany. For this cycle that is not an issue. I would not chose Green for the WC roster unless he is good enough to make the roster now without that “potential” thing.

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    • Ronaldo (Brazil) was given a spot on the 94 WC roster.. he didn’t even play.
      Pareira and Zagalo figured it was a good investment in the future of the squad

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      • Someone the other day on here went to a Bayern II match and didn’t seem all that impressed with him. He seems to be on a bit of cold run at Bayern II. Perhaps all this attention and being pulled to play a friendly here and train there is starting to effect his development.

      • John, I paid attention to Daniel, made some cross-posts with him, some in German. He gave many “tells”. I am not convinced he is for real, that he went to the match, or that he lives in Germany.

        .

      • We do know he didn’t score and they did loose, and he hasn’t scored for a few matches now. I’m not trying to say he isn’t a great prospect but some people need to come back to earth alittle.

      • We won’t take 3-4 forwards. I doubt we take more than 2 (Jozy and Johannson) with Dempsey and Donovan listed as forwards.

  16. Let’s be realistic: if he’s good enough to play for Germany he will . If he still picks the US then I’d have to question the morat integrity of somebody that turns his back on the country that gave him so much.
    At that pint he’s just another hired mercenary.

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    • At this point, he’s a citizen of the United States of America. Born in Florida, and raised by two parents of differing nationalities who–you can surmise–both loved and raised him from their different cultural perspectives. As a frequent visitor to his home here in the United States–he is culturally both American and German.

      At this point, he’s just another human being with a difficult decision.

      And you’re a jack*ss.

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      • He may be an American citizen but he’s a German footballer. That’s where he became the player he is which would’ve never happen if he’d stayed in the US
        Germany didn’t spend all that time and money on him so he can go and pimp himself to the highest bidder.

      • I mean… that’s exactly why germany spent all that time and money on him. That’s what academies do. They exist to build up the value of players as much as possible from as early an age as possible.

      • While neither side can *guarantee* him a spot, we can come a lot closer to doing so. At 18 years old having barely played first team football, he gets inserted right into our top 4 forwards depth-wise. He’s a lot further from starting for Germany up top.

      • Tone it down a bit already. We are talking about a human being here who happens to have a difficult decision and unless you are a dual national you have no idea what it means to be connected to two nations (two cultures). I am a German-American and I feel deeply connected to both countries but I decided to make my life in this country after living in Germany until I was 16. I consider myself to be fully American and cheer for the USMNT especially when they play Germany. If he chooses to dedicate the rest of his life to the USMNT (a one time decision at age 18) I guarantee you his American identity will trump his German identity and that is despite the fact that he will continue to live in Germany for the foreseeable future. Try telling Boyd with a bald eagle and American Flag tattoo that he is not American or not American enough… or any of the other German-Americans, I triple-dog-dare you.

    • It may be more a matter of what works best for him *right now*. Because he’s definitely not going to Brazil w/ Germany. Going there with the US is a big fat carrot that he appears to be following…

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      • You are right Tom, Julian can not make the German National Team this year, but he definitely could make the team for 1028. And he knows it.

    • Boyd’s right for sure. Plus, how many Germericans are we going to cram into out national team? I don’t really see the point of this.

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      • slowleft. You said it all the other day when you said: “Personally, I can’t wait for him to choose Germany so we don’t have to hear about him every day.

        Okay, you don’t want him. But the reason you gave is just like the reason a pre-teen girl gives for what she doesn’t want. Did you stomp your foot when you wrote that?

        Geez, give it up already.

  17. Dang, as a big fan of Bayern and the Bundesliga and as a citizen of the USA wanting the United States to become relevant in world football, I am really excited about this.

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  18. I wouldn’t be so quick to give all, or even most, of the credit to Klinsi. I believe, as I stated here some weeks ago, the deal came from Bayern Munich and the Bundesliga. That it was mainly a marketing decision and made perfect sense. I also said Julian was the real deal.

    1. The Bundesliga is very proactive in pushing their brand, especially into the USA
    2. They signed a 5-yr. deal in which FOX will broadcast both Bundesliga I and II matches in the USA
    3. Bayern is opening an office in NYC 1.April

    What better marketing idea would it be for the Bundesliga to have a super-star young footballer playing both for the U.S. National Team and Bayern. I did say however, it it was to work it had to be in time for Brazil

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    • I think this may we why we’re not seeing the reluctance for a player to join a national team with lots of travel involved like we normally see with North America / Asian / African national teams. Bayern and the Bundesliga are very serious about increasing commercial revenue in NA and they must know that if everything works out they are going to sell an insane amount of J. Green Jerseys in the US.

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      • For sure Sean357, there are some here who realize what this means for the USMNT and soccer in the USA. But Lordy, just listen to the many dunderheads here.

  19. The skeptics on here say be realistic, be cautious, skip the hyperbole. But this is the USMNT and a World Cup year. What else do we got? Realism is for JK and his staff. For the rest of us, realism kicks in when you’re 2-0 down in the 96th minute. Until then, you dream. Dream that a player on the bench of the reigning Champions League winners and perennial world powers is considering joining our team. So who cares that he hasn’t seen a lot of action with the first team? Do you read the same “European-based player reports” every Monday on the websites that I do? Where are our players? I’ll take the bench on BM over the did-not-dress for Stoke any day. And–worst case scenario–what typically happens to the careers of the guys who almost but don’t quite make it to the first team at Real Madrid, Barca, or Bayern? Typically starters if not stars on teams just a pace off the best. And that’s still a heckuvalot better than almost anyone the USMNT presently boasts. So, let us dream. The dude just might join the USMNT. The dude might just become the new hero of every US soccer playing kid out there. The dude might just be great. And the USMNT might just make it out of the group of death because at this point, every new, better addition, every new, happy bit of good news helps. Soccer, as they say in Spain, is a game of “morbo”. All the intrigue, the hope, and the tragedy is as much fun as the occasional victory. And since the ultimate USMNT victory will probably await an occasion far in the future, for today we will dream…that Julian Green will save us.

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  20. If he goes to Brazil it’ll be likely at the expense of Mix or Boyd/EJ. Can’t see Beckerman not going. Don’t know who else JK would leave off, there will be some painful cuts come May/June.

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    • Yeah Mix is the player I had missing the cut when I wrote down my 23. I think because he’s probably best in that role under the striker but has Dempsey, Landon, Aron and probably even Bedoya ahead of him.

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    • It’s hard. I made my 23 as well. He could steal a spot on the front line or on the wing.

      I believe there are 6 spots up for grabs. 1 backup fullback. 1 backup CB, 2 CM’s, 1 Winger, and a Forward/ST.

      My final 6 were down to:
      RB/LB -Chandler or Parkhurst (Evans and Castillo are out)
      CB -Orosco, (Brooks, Onyewu are out) I’m not sold that we need a 4th centerback though as we have Goodson as a backup and Cameroon who could play there in a pinch.
      CM -Diskerud and Beckerman – I’m conflicted but if I eliminate the 4th CB I think I bring Edu over Beckerman as he has a little more flexibility. (Edu, Williams, Klejstan, Feilhaber are out)
      Wing -Green (Shea and Davis are out) our lack of wingers is scary
      Forward -EJ (Boyd, Wondo, Aguedelo, Gomez are out)

      I could certainly see an argument to take Boyd or another forward instead of a 4th CB. We have a lot of players who can play forward: AJ, Altidore, Dempsey, Landon, with EJ and Green you don’t really need another forward either.

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  21. This is easily distinguishable from Sampson’s move to add Regis in 1998, which came much later in the process and smacked of desperation as opposed to taking advantage of an opportunity. According to the posts above, Regis was also promised a starting spot, which would have been much more disruptive. Finally, as evidenced by the fact that Regis didn’t play in 2002, he did not bring anything approaching the talent that Green seems to have.

    In any event, Chris Wondolowski, Juan Agudelo, and Hercules Gomez are a little more nervous.

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  22. It’s pretty powerful when one of the greatest strikers in history comes to you and says I want you to play for us.

    Sometimes I think people forget who Jurgen Klinsmann is outside of America.

    He’s arguably the greatest striker in Germany’s history.
    He is on the FIFA 100 list of the 125 greatest players in history still alive.
    He won the 1990 World Cup.
    He won the 1996 Euro Championship.
    He was the 2006 German Football Manager of the Year.
    He’s won the UEFA UCL (was the Euro Cup) TWICE.
    He was the PWA (EPL) player of the year.

    He’s one of the greatest players in history. It’d be like Alan Shearer walking into an EPL clubhouse.

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  23. All you commenters with the hyperbole, saying Julian has done nothing, plays for the 4th division, etc.keep this in mind. Before the start of this season Bayern were going to loan Julian to Hamburg for the season, where he would have been a starter. But due to his great training with the first team Pep nixed the loan.

    I do believe Julian Green showed everyone (coaches and players) in Frankfort what he had. And I believe that may have been what made Clint Dempsey so very angry as he showed in Cyprus, and in the Toronto match the other day.

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    • haha yeah i’m sure that’s what Dempsey was thinking about, not that his team is down 2-0 at home and he’s getting fouled all over the field.

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      • From what I gather, Clint has had problems in the past, is quite moody and he believes he is still the best goal-scorer on the USMNT. Now, if, or rather when, he saw how good Julian Green can play, that Julian will step in and be much better than himself, of course it will affect Dempsey.

      • Except for the fact Landon been better then Dempsey by a good amount most of his career. Jozy was better then him last year. Aron probably shows more a direct threat at the moment anyway.

      • Dang but you are bull-headed John. This is Dempsey we are talking about, the team captain, who holds the record for most goals scored in the BPL. It is HIS head we are talking about.

        It is your opinion Landon and Jozy are better than Clint, but that is not Clint’s opinion. Clint plays with them, in his head he is better, in fact, the best on the USMNT.

        Now he has trained with Julian and has seen first hand, on the pitch, how good this kid is. It is quite a shock to him.

      • Dempsey had one goal in the last 6 months for club or country. He has alot more to worry about then Green and how good he may or may not be.

      • Hey guys, nonsense,
        regarding AM position, players like Green complement others on the pitch. Ideally a team would be comprised of as many of these types as possible, Landycakes, Deuce or maybe Zusi/Mix/Edu? also fit the bill in moments.
        Bradly can do it at times but has other responsibilities on the field.
        It all has got to work together.

  24. Jurgan Klinsmann is the master recruiter. Whether Green comes around or not, you have to be impressed at Klinsmann’s ability to recruit players that he wants.

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      • Ouch, that’s not really what he said though. Just that regardless of whether we get Green specifically, JK still has an impressive record of recruiting talent with genuine interest from other countries (Johannsson, Brooks, Diskerud, in particular). I’d agree with that. Green has the potential to be the biggest coup yet though if it comes to pass.

      • mix was with us under bradley, and brooks hasn’t actually committed either way (although it’s fairly certain).

        if green plays for us (and i think it’s looking more likely), then mark *may* have a point, but only if he’s willing to entertain the thought that bob bradley was also a master recruiter, having brought in jones, mix, williams, fabian, chandler, and others. 🙂

  25. Yeah he’s choosing the USA. Flying halfway across the world on a non-FIFA date just to train for a few days? Yeah you just don’t do that unless you really considering the country. I always had a strong feeling that he would chose USA because of his dad. Not saying his dad pressured him to do it but I’m sure there was some influence. Just look at his dad’s twitter. Well I only hope that he pans out. Cause man if he pans out boy he will change a lot of things for US soccer. Think about all the money he would make. The endorsement deals. Nike and Adidas would be fighting to sign him up. I’m sure the World Cup is what is tempting the young man. Argentina did it with Messi when he was about 18 because, a little known fact, could have played for Spain. Another thing that’s intriguing is could he get the switch in time for April. It took Aron about a month or so to do it. Would Green have enough time. We’ll see. But I’m like 80% sure he’s choosing the US. Still got to be weary though. Good luck to him. Hope to see him play more games with Bayern once their season is pretty much over.

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      • in the same way that Julian’s father is rooting for his kid to play for US, Selalem’s father is pressuring Gedion to play for Germany.

    • It may be that he’s flying halfway around the world because he wants to see whether he can handle the travel he would have to endure to play for the USMNT while competing in Europe.

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      • Not really a question of whether he has visited the country. He clearly has since his dad is in Florida. It’s more of the quick turn-around training trip to a place with much different weather that a guy like Chandler complained about. It’s not as easy as taking a short train trip to Frankfurt to train with the USMNT like he did the last time.

  26. What if…maybe, just maybe, he is better than all the other options? He trained with the European contingent in Frankfurt and will train with the North American contingent in AZ. If Green out-performs the other options, how does he not deserve a roster spot? If the team complains about his being added at the 11th hour that’s on them as he will have legitimately beat them out.

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    • Yeah anybody arguing this will cause chemistry issues are acting like we’ve fielded the same 23 guys all through qualification.

      He’s not taking dempsey or donovan’s spot on the plane, and our core guys won’t care one bit if green is selected over sacha or davis or shea.

      Put another way, there’ll no comparable argument when agudelo is considered for a spot, and he dressed for the same number of hex matches as green.

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      • Decent comparison with Agudelo re hex matches. Beas will probably get sub minutes only and he played almost every match I think. That’s how qualification goes. I sure hope Dempsey gets his game together.

    • What about Herc? Maybe we wouldn’t have advanced to the Hex w/o Herc’s free kick goal. The guy was starting for us in the Snow Bowl in Colorado running the channels and putting in the work. Why are people worried about potential “chemistry” issues w/ Green but not for Herc? The only reason I could see is that Herc has had injury problems.

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  27. “Yes, I think so,” he said. “If I can play a World Cup at 18 years old, it would be great, amazing.”

    He sounds pretty tempted to me.

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  28. Wow, I didn’t expect this. I believed Julian was coming in time for the send-off friendlies but not for the 02 April one.

    It looks like it is getting mighty close to the time when I get to tell you all: “I told you so!”

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  29. That’s cool. Maybe wishful thinking, but I get the feeling he’s going to apply for the switch before Mexico if it’s not too late to play in that match already. Jurgen said in his podcast interview last week that the door’s open for Green to make the WC roster, but he’s got to decide who he wants to play for. Green says here that that would be amazing, but needs to work for it. Assuming he’s not going to be starting for Bayern’s first team by May 12th, that MEX friendly seems like the only real chance he’s going to have to show what he can do against pro competition.

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    • We will not see him in the friendly, the switch could not be completed in time. This is training, essentially for JK’s eyes only.

      It will be on the basis of a few days training that JK will decide if he will be invited to the May camp and if Green will decide (or not) upon filing a one-time change with FIFA.

      If Green really wants to play for the US he probably would need to file sooner rather than later for the switch.

      I do have a serious question: If Green files for the one-time switch but does not play for the US in a game that would cap tie him, could he reverse and play for Germany? In other words is the act of filing for the switch rather than actually playing in a game irreversible for the player?

      Reply
      • The 1-time switch would tie him, he doesn’t have to be capped. Once he files the switch and it’s granted, he can’t switch back, so it’s a de facto cap-tie.

      • Officially, filing the one time switch is the equivalent of a cap tie.

        If you file the switch and never play a game, you’re still tied to them.

      • Good question, did some quick searching. From the FIFA statues:

        “If a Player has more than one nationality, or if a Player acquires a new
        nationality, or if a Player is eligible to play for several representative teams due to nationality, he may, only once, request to change the Association for which he is eligible to play international matches to the Association of another country of which he holds nationality:”

        So yes, if you have to file a one-time switch to represent a country and the switch is approved, it is a cap-tying move. For example, Teal Bunbury filed his one-time switch from Canada, and so far has only appeared in friendlies for the USMNT (nothing that would be officially cap-tying). Yet, since he filed his one-time switch, he’s permanently in the US pool.

  30. He still doesn’t solve our problem. Namely that we can’t develop players that can compete with a 4th division Bundesliga kid.

    Reply
    • If you want to wait and see before to assess Green’s talents — that’s fine. But save us the hyperbole of the last two posts.

      Reply
      • My hyperbole? Look at the facts. He’s still not getting minutes for Bayern and yet people here call him a special talent without watching him play a single minute of football.
        Yeah. I’m the one with the hyperbole problem.

      • Um, that’s because it’s very reasonable to trust the best coach in the world–Pep Guardiola–and the Sporting Director of the top club in the world when they say an 18 year old has a future in the first team.

        Your attempt to disparage him was laughable. “4th division kid?”

        He played (he trains with the first team now) in the 4th division because that’s where Bayern Munich’s youth team plays.

        No more was Gerard Delefeu or Sergi Roberto or Thiago a second dvision player when they played for Barca B in the segunda division in Spain.

      • Right? Bayern isn’t a selling club and we’re nowhere near a transfer window, so it’s also unlikely they’re hyping to run up the price.

      • Spot on.

        Circumstance points to one thing–they value the kid like crazy.

        And why not? From all reports he has held his own in first team scrimmages–even scored a bunch of goals in first team friendlies.

        18 year olds breaking into top team lineups from the get go is reserved for players like Lionel Messi or Cesc Fabregas.

        The fact that Pep Guardiola of all people rates him is incredible.

    • Don’t agree with that, Joe Gyau had 15 appearances in the German 2nd division, so in that sense he’s more accomplished than Gyau who’s exploits have come in the German 4th division. That said, how many countries have 18 year olds making the Bayern Munich bench?

      Reply
    • he’s not a “4th division Bundesliga” kid; he’s a promising player that bayern munich wants to keep around.

      essentially, you’re blaming american academies for not being as good as bayern munich’s academy. well, yeah.

      Reply
    • Highly regarded by Pep Guardiola seems to be a good endorsement. Able to make the Bayern Munich bench seems okay to me. Bayern isn’t your average Bundesliga club but a top 5 in the world club. I’m sure other Bundesliga teams would love to have him on their roster.

      Reply
      • that’s the point; they were planning on loaning him out (hamburg?), but decided to keep him with their first team when he started impressing.

      • The whole point of bayern II and barca II existing is so that they don’t have to loan out their prospects.

        A loan puts a player into a new system that might not align with the first team’s.

      • John, didn’t you see what I said many times. Before this season started Bayern were planning to loan Julian to Hamburg, WHERE HE WOULD HAVE BEEN A STARTER. However, Julian trained with the first team so good, had 3 hat-tricks in pre-season friendlies, that Pep nixed the loan deal.

        Why u so upset and not wanting to have the USMNT improve?

      • John, they were planning on loaning him out, but Pep said no.

        Why are you so against seeing the USMNT improve?

      • Really? If you were a betting man, this wouldn’t tip the percentages toward green liking his chances of beating out shea/davis and filing a switch?

        The odds might still be worse than a coin toss, but surely they’re better now than they were before this information came out.

  31. Sign him up Jurgen! Has anyone heard anything about Shawn Parker? As a German-American I love the invasion of fellow German-Americans (perhaps I shouldn’t use the word invasion and German in the same sentence).

    Reply
  32. Now I’m just imagining Green coming on in the 80th minute against Germany and scoring the goal to put us through to the knockout round.

    Reply
  33. stars are aligning……….

    Still going to be a monumental task as there is a lot of paperwork to be done. I remember being super pissed off that David Regis was included in 98′ and apparently PROMISED? a starting XI spot by Sampson. Sure it didn’t bode well for the team as a whole but I feel as if there were a lot of other problems going on as well.

    This one I feel is different. Who cares he if he’s only logged a few 1st team minutes, he is obviously a special talent and that is the bottom-line. He is by far much more versatile and dangerous than many people in the mix right now and thats a fact.

    I am honestly worried about Brasil 2014 and how many of our key players form leading up to the tournament. Still a lot of time I know but I hope this generation of quality players can make it to this summer without a serious setback.

    Reply
    • Is he really a special talent? Bayern pretty much locked up the league and he’s still not getting any minutes with them. Not even trash minutes in the games Bayern is leading by multiple goals at the half.
      I’ll hold my opinion at least until I watch him play a couple of games.

      Reply
      • like you said; “pretty much” locked up, just a matter of time and even though I am not on the Bayern coaching staff, I would guess his minutes will start here shortly at some point.

        As for the special talent; true I have yet to see him, except the CL trash minutes, what I do highly respect is the opinion of JK and Pep. Whether you choose to do the same or not is entirely up to you……..

        but like you I also want to watch him get some solid minutes

      • Of course he needs some PT for us, but how many other players are even sniffing Bayern’s first team, let alone “pretty much” locked up there?!

      • That’s a reasonable point to make and certainly the safest approach would be to say there isn’t enough evidence to lock him into the team.

        One may cite Bruce Arena in a similar situation with Giuseppe Rossi when Joe was at Man U. Bruce went on record saying something to the effect that ‘we are not going to chase after guys who can’t get first team minutes.’ (He may have said this since the chances of getting Rossi were much lower.) USA had their best WC since in 50 years, and Rossi went on to challenge for a starting spot with the World Champions years later. Seemed to work out for both sides.

    • Yeah, everyone crowing about how Green is going to kill chemistry and is “stealing a spot” need to calm down. He’s not walking into the starting eleven, he’s going to be on the fringe and might not even make the bench for most games. He’s not starting over Donovan or Dempsey.

      If the team is so mentally fragile that not having Brek Shea in the locker room is going to break their WC, then they aren’t going far anyway.

      Reply
      • Agreeance MJ. I think Klinsi’s putting on the full press for Green b/c of a dip in the form of Dempsey and a goal drought by AJ.

        Let me be clear, i’m not saying Dempsey’s form is THAT bad or that JA’s goal drought is something to lose sleep over..i’m just trying to view this from Klinsi’s spot.

      • If he is better than another guy, he isn’t stealing a spot. JK isn’t pursuing him to sit on the bench, either. Should he commit, I bet he plays significant and important minutes in the World Cup. But I agree on the other points. Chemistry is important, but you don’t have to be best friends with the other guys, just don’t sleep with their wives.

    • Yeah. Regis was definitely not the problem at the 1998 cup. That would have been Harkes sleeping with Wynalda’s wife, getting kicked off the team and ruining whatever chemistry we had. Regis was slotted in ahead of Jeff Agoos (enough said) and was one of the best players for us in 1998.

      Reply
      • everyone has their opinions about 98. I mean, regis, might have been one of the better players, but still messed with the chemistry of the team, which was also undermined by players going around discussing carnal knowledge, which really was probably not even within their right to do so. that was a real mess!!!

        regis was on the team in 2002 as well, but he was passed over, for superior hungrier players.

      • Valid points. Indeed, Regis did not play at all in 2002, which is kind of an indication of how much MLS had progressed and how well other players had developed. And Agoos, who was supplanted by Regis in 1998, did play in 2002, bolloxing up the defense and almost costing us the win in the Portugal game. Sorry to dwell on Agoos, he is just a distant bad memory.

      • People forget, but Agoos had maybe a 15 month stretch leading up to ’02 where he was boss. If I recall his form started dipping in the last 4-5 months before Portugal.

      • Dave is right. The Agoos-Pope first choice central defensive partnership was rarely questioned in 2001 when Agoos was excellent.

      • yea the infidelity was a massive issue but I can’t imagined the way Regis was rushed in so last minute was good at all for that circus

      • Don’t forget Preki was part of that combustible mix. You can imagine how much respect Preki had for Sampson when he was told he had to play on both sides of the ball.

    • Yeah, the problem wasn’t Regis, the problem was Harkes and Wynalda not getting along, with good reason on Wynalda’s part.

      Reply
  34. Interesting. I won’t get too excited until I see a photo of Julian filing the one-time switch, but Jurgen seems to have the young prospect seriosuly considering the US. I don’t know why you would take time off for a non-FIFA date to fly half way around the world to AZ to train ahead of a friendly if you weren’t kind of serious.

    Reply
  35. Kid’s saying all the right things at this point.

    “But the chance is there,” Green said with a smile. “I have to play well, and we will see.”

    Does anyone else view this as a veiled admission that JK promised him a spot if he declared?

    Reply
      • As much as I love “The Brekken” I have to say you are right. But more important than just beefing up the roster, I think this is a good signal going forward if we start getting some of these caliber dual nationals to come stateside.

      • JK would be walking a slippery slope then, with all the guys who helped us through qualifying.

        I’m not taking a stance – I’m just wondering if that’s what the “smile” was all about.

      • But, at the end of day, Jurgen has to go with the best he’s got. All that hard work and commitment talk only matters to bubble players. I have only seen one Green goal on youtube, but it sounds like he brings the goods. There is always one surprise young player on the roster, will this be him?

      • What makes Green the bests he’s got ? Let’s not read too much into Jurgen calling in Green. We haven’t seen him play that much and the fact is Jurgen calls in lots of player that can’t make the squad just to keep them motivated like Brek and Boyd

      • I think the fact that Jurgen is on contract through the next WC cycle changes the equation a bit. If it was solely about the best player/locker room for 2014, maybe (who knows, really) Shea or someone else would be better.

        But given the fact that Green has superstar potential, he would be huge for the next WC round, and Jurgan would hedge his bets on the future.

      • i think it changes a hell of a lot. with klinsmann’s extension, ussf has implicitly said they’re not expecting much from brasil 2014. so if klinsmann ‘wastes’ a spot locking green in, and we bomb out, would it really matter to them?

      • I have no idea how you draw that conclusion the extension. I could just as easily say that it means they expect he will overperform this summer, and they want to lock him up and drive away potential suitors.

      • No chance Jurgen is only doing this to push other players. He wouldn’t call Green in if he didn’t have a legitimate shot at the 23-man roster.

      • Agree with this in a sense– and would add that if JK selects Green for Brazil, that is way more meaningful statement to me than anything he has shown or could show prior to June, because it means he will have demonstrated to the other 22 guys on the flight that he has *holy cr*p” ability and can contribute immediately. Everybody in the group will know and feel for the guy(s) who just missed the cut, who will all have contributed to the cause already. If Green is not spectacular in these camps, it would be a bad move for the team a unfair spot for the player.

      • And yet, there is precedent. David Regis was rushed into the lineup in time for the 1998 World Cup after getting citizenship at the last minute. So, these things do happen if the player in question strengthens your pool.

      • The Regis situation was a huge debacle in the locker room and was one of the factors that led to that disastrous world cup.

      • Also, no.

        It’s been publicly admitted by many involved that the situation between Wynalda and Harkes was so egregious that it single-handedly destroyed the team at the World Cup.

      • Totally agree with Jack. The Regis situation didn’t have much of an impact on the locker room because it was already a shambles after what Harkes did. Goose was pissed off because he lost his job, but that’s how it goes.

      • And it did’t help that sampson changed to a crazy 3-6-1 formation months before the tournament after having played nothing but 4-4-2…

      • That and Samson wanted Harkes to play defense rather than midfield and Harkes refuses to switch positions. And then Samson also decided he would use a new 3-6-1 formation w/ Wynalda, who was injured earlier in the MLS season, as the lone striker.

      • No. It isn’t. The article you link to was written shortly before the 98 Cup. The revelations of Harkes behavior were not made public for several years, out of respect to Wynalda. When Wynalda was ready for those facts to be publicly disclosed, they were. And they are facts. Harkes betrayed his teammate, his team and his country for sex. Fact.

      • Bill T.

        I should have made clear that what I meant as unfair was the idea that Regis’ sudden appearance blew up the team as David K. suggests.

        Clearly Harke’s sudden absence and Sampson’s puzzling tactical changes had more to do with that.

        And you have to wonder just how in the dark the rest of the team, really was about the Harkes Wynalda affair. ..

      • I would bet that the “smile” was just Julian’s reaction to talking and thinking about an exciting, new prospect in his newly minted career.

        The prospect of playing a World Cup – if he trains hard enough and plays well enough, would make anyone new to the competition smile. Add to it that Julian knows he is being actively recruited, which is a great, confidence boosting experience.

      • Yea, I think it could go either way – I wouldn’t read too much into it (especially only reading about it). He seems fairly softspoken, so a question like that may be uncomfortable, causing a nervous smile. Or, like you say, just excited about the prospect.

      • Ronaldo for Brazil at age 18 was in the roster for Brazil for the USA 1994 world cup and he did not play a single game of the qualifiers. This is JK preparing for the future.

      • as others have said, at that point ronaldo was already a great success (and title winner), at least domestically. regardless of the merit of each, comparing his situation to klinsmann taking a flier on green is a little off.

      • galaxy2,

        Just to add to what Mr. dollars said, when the USMNT is like the 1994 Brazil squad i.e. when your #23 guy is as good or maybe even better than your #1 forward then yeah the US can afford to bring along guys to “audit” the World Cup.

        Right now the USMNT is not that talented and need to certain that #1-23 can all play at the necessary level if called.

      • Well you could argue we don’t actually have 23 guys who can play at the necessary level if called.

        So bringing one ineffective guy over some other ineffective guy wouldn’t be that costly.

      • Everyone seems to be under the impression that only 11 guys will play at the World Cup. I will remind folks that in 2010 we had 19 of our 23 players see the field. Only two goals (Hahnamann and Guzan) and two defenders (Cameron and Goodson) failed to get in a game.
        So unless Green is a guy you want coming off the bench with ten minutes to play when we’re down a goal in the round of 16, than don’t bother brining him.

      • Exactly. And yes, that would be the scenario that would see Green play. Of course, earning this role – aka the “Terrence Boyd role” would probably involve displacing…. Terrence Boyd.

        Plenty of people seem willing to make this call based on very limited observation of Boyd and zero observation whatsoever of Green.

        I’m already excited for 2018. The Ben Lederman discussions are going to be great.

    • from the article:

      ‘Green said Klinsmann had mentioned the possibility of playing for the U.S. at the World Cup, but the coach has not guaranteed him a spot on the World Cup team if he chooses to wear the Stars & Stripes.

      “But the chance is there,” Green said with a smile. “I have to play well, and we will see.”’

      that’s him pretty clearly saying that, no, he was not promised a spot, but that he might possibly be called if he plays well.

      Reply
      • Let’s not forget, Nate Dollars, that the judge of how well Green plays will be Jurgrn Klinsmann and his verdict is final. And we all know how Klinsmann judges certain players, don’t we? I agree with HoboMike, that the quote could be interpreted as meaning that Green, at the very least, has been tacitly informed that he would get a ticket to Brazil if he files the papers for a one-time switch. Especially in the context of the last four paragraphs of the Grant Wahl article. The key words being …Klinsmann had mentioned the possibility of playing for the U.S. at the World Cup…

        ———————————————————————————
        When asked if there was a possibility that he could choose to play for the U.S. at this year’s World Cup — and be tied to the U.S. for good — Green nodded his head.

        “Yes, I think so,” he said. “If I can play a World Cup at 18 years old, it would be great, amazing. But I have to train hard.”

        Green said Klinsmann had mentioned the possibility of playing for the U.S. at the World Cup, but the coach has not guaranteed him a spot on the World Cup team if he chooses to wear the Stars & Stripes.

        “But the chance is there,” Green said with a smile. “I have to play well, and we will see.”
        ——————————————————————————-

        My gut feeling at this point, after Green agreeing to attend the Mexico camp, is that it is a done deal and that he will file the papers and be named to the roster in May and he is going to be on the plane to Brazil.

      • “And we all know how Klinsmann judges certain players, don’t we?”

        i can honestly say i have no f*cking clue how klinsmann judges players. 🙂

      • Agree with Biff. May not be 100% yet, but I would bet that JK has offered the guy a guaranteed spot on the team in Brasil.

      • This is so much simpler than everyone is making it. Jurgen said the exact same thing to Green that we’ve heard. “work hard, you have lots of potential and you have a shot at making the world cup squad”. He wouldn’t want to specifically promise the kid anything but, he made it clear that if Green does his part, make the switch, get some playing time, prove himself in camp, then he will make it on that plane.

      • I don’t think he guaranteed the spot per se. But by bringing him into camps he’s letting green see that a spot wouldn’t be that hard to earn.

        Projecting a few mexico call ups, green will have seen all these guys up close:
        sacha, shea, bedoya, agudelo, boyd, benny, davis, zusi, wondo, eddie.

        My guess is JK believes green will like his chances and make the switch.

      • Right. All he had to do was say,”Julian, if you think you can prove you’re better than these guys (points to team that lost to Ukraine) then you can be at the World Cup.”

    • Guarantee he has and so would I. He could bust and never crack Germany’s first xi and he knows that, getting this opportunity to go to a world cup and at his age is huge

      Reply
    • Kilnsman openly promised him the chance to compete for a spot. Looking at the level/limited options for speed burning, skilled, run at and past you pure wingers, I’m sure he likes his chances.

      Reply
    • How long would the theoretical “one time switch” take to process. I would like to know when the deadline would be for this desiscion.

      Reply
      • Via @briansciaretta: It varies and no two take the same amount of time to process. Aron Johannsson’s switch to the #usmnt took 14 days (filed Jul 30. Approved Aug 13) but that was exceptionally fast for FIFA.

  36. Why isn’t Bayern playing him more they’ve practically already won the title are they going for a record gap or something?

    Reply
    • Title isn’t won yet. I think Bayern needs to win its next two games and they mathematically have the title.

      I would only expect Green to start getting minutes once the title is assured and BM needs to focus on the later rounds of Champions League.

      Reply
    • Exactly, I keep thinking, what is in this for Bayern? The thing that makes the most sense to me is that allowing this can only increase his value and maybe they’re doing this to polish him up to sell? I can’t see anything else in it for them

      Reply
      • Or that he wants to go, and they are a enormous club with virtually endless resources, so they can afford to let him go and keep him happy.

      • Julian is not leaving Bayern. He will soon be a starter for them and will stay at Bayern for a long time. He can play for the club team Bayern and still play for the USMNT

    • Hello, it’s me again.

      I predict Julian will play in the 3 send-off friendlies, start in at least 2 of them, and lead the team in goal+assists combined. I further predict that in the first 3 games in Brazil he will start all 3 of them and again have more goals+assists combined than anyone on the team.

      Anyone care to make a wager, you know, bet against me on what I just predicted? Not for money of course, but we can work out what the bet would be for. Just say when.

      Reply
      • I like your style. . .

        It seems no one is taking your wager seriously though. I’d have to vote against you, but I hope you’re right.

      • thanks skyman, i like your style too. It is not you I want to make abet with, it is all the dunderheads here saying Julian doesn’t even deserve to go to Brazil.

        I will make the bet interesting, something like the loser having to post here every day for a week that they don’t know anything about football, you know, something along those lines.

        Come on slowleft, John, Karletto, Ali Dis, JayAre, Anthony, Brett, Bongwater, etc. Where your you boys?

        Step up to the plate!

      • JayAre. you stated: “..we all know this guy (Julian Green) isn’t making the roster.” Tell you what JayAre, I will make a bet with you where you don’t have to stand by what you said. I will let your position in the bet be that he will make the team but not score a single goal or an assist in the 3 friendlies or in the first 3 matches in Brazil. Of course I will, from my side, make it hard for me.

        Come on JayAre, I am calling you out! Just say when.

      • Don’t put me in there. I just said I don’t know if he’s good (and neither do you yet). Guy is Boyd two years ago on paper, and nobody here has seen him play even a full game or can describe his qualities. I don’t know how you make a statement that you “know football” when you make evaluations before watching a guy “play football”.

        I’m not making any bets that validate garbage analysis — I thought it best to retire the hype machine after it spit out Freddy Adu. Not to mention the fact that whenever we finally get to see Green, I hope he’s friggin Pele.

        I make exactly one bet on the World Cup. USA to win. Every time. One day I will cash and it will be awesome. If Green can help, God bless him.

        Bongwater might take your action, though…

      • Ali Dia, you are very wrong when you say: “and neither do you”. I certainly do know how good the kid is. Also, I don’t remember my ever saying specifically that I know football. Although I do understand that it certainly could be inferred.

        Thanks for wishing Green does a good job for the USMNT. I have taken you of my list of who I want to bet with. So far, only Bryan has given me some action.

      • So selfish Expat!! Why don’t you show us your secret footage of this guy?… I’ve started to believe it exists. Or maybe we should start considering the possibility that you actually are Julian Green…

        I do admire your aggressive throwown bets. You know something. Or you are insane. Irrelevant, really. I like the positivity.

      • Ill take your bet: just wear yellow during the whole world cup if you lose. I really like your enthusiasm for young J Green, hopefully he does prove to be a great player for USA. But I don’t hink he will lead the team in goals and assists, in friendlys or WC. He may start in freindlys but that’s about it. Unless he just totally impresses the coach, team and country in the first friendly he may not start in the others. Hopefully in the future he will impress. Extremely young, inexperienced in USMNT, competition does exist( ed Johnson, wondolowski, t boyd, agudelo,) even if he is really good….he might alter existing chemistry in the naiona squad. At the same time one thing going for him is just that …could he prove to light the US spirit. the usa has just not shown much rhythm or chemistry lately. But then again, can he bench altidore?

    • Bildzeitung gave it away on 15. Feb, the day after A. Herzog, asst. coach for Klinsi, met with Julian Green at Bayern’s training grounds. Their title: ” Klinsi nimmt Bayern-Bubi mit zur ww (Welt Weltmeister). Klinsmann takes the Bayern’ young player with him to the World Cup.

      Bildzeitung even met with Julian Green and quoted him: Für mich ist das eine Ehre und eine unglaubliche Chance. Ich kann für die USA spielen und viellicht sogar mit zur Brasilien fahren. Besser geht es doch kaum. It is for me an Honor and an unbelievable chance. I can play for the USA National Team and maybe even go with them to Brazil. It doesn’t get any better than that.

      Reply

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