It isn’t often that a 19-year-old defender makes a big splaish in a league like the German Bundesliga. It is even more rare when that player is eligible to play for the U.S. national team.
That is exactly where Neven Subotic finds himself after getting off to a very good start with his new club, Borussia Dortmund. With three goals early in the season, Subotic is turning heads and leaving fans from the United States to Germany wondering which national team he will play for.
The German Federation has let it be known that, even though Subotic is currently not eligible to play for Germany, it has its eye on Subotic.
‘We assume he can play for us, because he has not played an A-international for the United States," Harald Stenger, media director for the German federation told the newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung.
To Subotic’s credit, he is choosing to side-step any comments on where he would prefer to play, choosing instead to focus on his club career at the age of 19.
"I read the coach of the national team has expressed a positive interest in me, but I don’t have much to say on the subject," Subotic told the German agency SID.
"I am not even sure myself where I stand in terms of eligibility."
Subotic will make his UEFA Cup debut today when Borussia Dortmund takes on Udinese.
For a closer look at Subotic and his situation, you can read this recent piece from ESPN.com.
What’s my take? From what I have heard, and after listening to the various interviews, I get the distinct impression that Subotic is making a strong push to play for Germany and is pursuing all legal means to make that happen. While it is possible that Subotic would prefer to play for Germany, what is not known is which country Subotic would play for if Germany is not an option.
It’s time for a poll:
What do you think Subotic will do? Will he jump at the chance to play for Germany? Could you see him playing for the United States if FIFA doesn’t allow him to play for Germany?
Share your thoughts on Subotic’s situation below.
He is as good as gone… Look what Germany did with Mario Gomez and got him citizenship with no problem.
mig – what?? theres a Cooper drinking game?? and all you have to say is Cooper?? well hot D4mn good thing i dont have to work tomorrow 😀
Brian – “The US should legally fight Germany from trying to illegally pick off one of its players” oooooo irony…
US only brings up players born in the US… right??
mpatt75 – what criticism of BB??
DeLarge – i agree hiring Klinsman would have brought a different pedigree to games, but he also goes into those games knowing that he’s the best the US can get… where as BB has had a bulls-eye on his back since taking the job…. he’s gotten us the results and incorporated some youth turning them into vets… and we’ll see more as the year goes on… those of you who are so bent on youth quality not getting a shot simply need to wait…. Jozy and adu will join soon enough… Kljestan has been getting some looks…
i dont see Ching nor EJ in the lineup come 2010… while ching is a work horse, neither are productive…. Jozy, Adu or LD will be maning the top 2 spots… fact
BRETT! You said “Cooper”! Drink!
Yeah, the Panama/dysentery remark was rather stupider than usual.
Also, Shmenge, you think Serbia may not make it to the Euros or World Cup? Really? I think it’s safe to say that they’ll be there sooner rather than later.
Lastly, Subotic is 19. Defenders have careers that stretch well into their 30s, so it’s not like the kid is in a race to see World Cup action. I think the kid is playing the “nation game” fairly well right now. We’ll see how ambitiously Germany tries to get him eligible.
well…
i just hope on our road to winning the World Cup we knockout both Italy and Germany.
^.^
one can dream..
Bradley needs to go all-out and call this dude up to the MNT. Imagine Subotic, Onyewu, Boca and Bakary Soumare on our defensive end! Sounds like a good wall to me…
I guess Subotic is not enthusiastic about the “empty bucket” and “three and out”, while sitting on the bench watching Gooch and Boca. Obviously he is selfish. 😉
The US should legally fight Germany from trying to illegally pick off one of its players. Neven is still on the books as a US player and the rules as they are written do not allow Neven from playing for Germany.
If Neven switches to Serbia or Bosnia, fine. But the US shouldn’t let Germany cheat them or bully them around.
I am over speculating over these guys.
Honestly, I prefer someone who doesn’t pledge their allegiance to us to go play elsewhere. You don’t play for the shirt, you play for the country. If you don’t know where you stand right now, you don’t deserve to play for anyone.
To me, it’s not about making the team better. It’s about representing the country you love. Look at how giddy the USA Basketball team was when they won the gold. Those are the types I want. I would rather fail with real countrymen than succeed with ones who don’t know where they stand.
BTW, who would you rather play with – Klose, Podolski, etc. or Eddie Johnson, Bring Ching, etc.?
I am sad to think that if Gulati stuck to his guns and hired Klinsmann, then something like this would be less of an issue. Hiring Bob Bradley and then playing conservo-ball makes us look like the minnnmows we are.
Cooper and Subotic would greatly help our team — but so long as Bob Bradley is coach I just do not see either of them playing for us. That sucks. I have visions of EJ running around with bad touches and pass-backs in South Africa.
Clearly, playing for Germany would make him more money, would be easier personally (given he lives and plays in Germany), and would be more fulfilling professionally (since playing in UEFA is better than playing in CONCACAF). The only worry is playing time, but I expect that, as a high level young athlete, he believes that he will improve enough to get playing time either way. So I don’t see any reason he would turn down Germany if he became eligible.
I haven’t seen him play, but if he is good enough to displace Bocanegra as center back, Boca could easily move to right or left fullback for us. I’d much rather play Boca in either of those spots than Pearce or Dolo, for example.
What are the chances we will not get him because of the criticism of Bob Bradley? Would this have any impact at all? I have no clue.
I have a feeling it could, as he would look into all aspects of the nation teams he is looking at.
Angel- BB has over 62 players capped in his tenure…. i know we are playing less quality teams ATM, but this is no time to venture out with a bunch of untested intl’ players… quite simply put, BB did well to get the 9 points (regardless of how conservative he was) and now has the ability to dabble into the player pool to try new faces…. sometimes it seems people are too rash when it comes to national teams :-/
saying that, im sure cooper would have and still would do fine against CONCACAF teams and others as well… i would love to see cooper don the US jersey again… hopefully he gets the call up
Who cares. If is isn’t for us, he is against us. The us being the USA.
hello clearly fails to comprehend sarcasm O.o…. try rereading my post gimp…
I agree with Brett. Personally, I think it’s Subotic’s decision and it should be respected – the U.S. has been on both sides of the “which country?” game.
As an FC Dallas fan, I’m wondering these days if Bradley gave Kenny Cooper a few caps with the senior team just to keep him from playing for England. Coop is better than both Ching and EJ, Bob. Everyone can see it.
Tom
I think the way you do, why should he play for the USA, believe me I would like to have a player like him playing for the USA but can we offer him, Come on B.B have left other player in the loop cause he still feel comfi with the player that he has already. He is playing safe and not trying to go and try new player, Sample (Cooper) So if Subotic plans to play for Serbia good for him. Remember we have a Coach that is not playing Risky.
I don’t believe for one second that he does not know where he stands in terms of eligibility. The kid knows precisely where he stands.
And if Germany finds a way to bring him into the program, that is where he will go. After all, I’m sure he wants to be in a position to compete for the World Cup. If Germany doesn’t or can’t find a way to bring him in, then I suspect he will play for the US.
NM
did you guys see ralph wigham on the new adidas comercial? “unpossible is nothing…”
mike mike and brett are definetly virgins. ives changed the theread
If he is truly quality then playing for the Germans will not be a problem. However, as in finance less potential risk, less potential reward. Possibly, he could reach 100 caps for the US and only ever win a Gold Cup. With Germany the sky’s the limit. What is the phrase, “football is a sport played between two teams, Germany being the winner.”
My feeling is that that the U.S. needs to try to cap players eligible for multiple national teams as soon as possible, and seal them up earlier. If Subtic were given a call up a year and a half ago, this would not be an issue.
Seems that Germany has no problem getting players from Poland and Brasil into their side. No question Neven is a rising star in the Bundesliga and I don’t think Germany is that deep, Neven would have a good shot at a WC 2010 starting spot.
Plus, think of the stink when Bradley keeps Subotic on the bench, because “team captain” Bocanegra is ahead of him in the England-style pecking order. Not dissing Carlos, just saying. Ai yi yi.
Check out his pole-vaulting German girlfriend Lisa Ryzih — that’s reason enough to stay with the Krauts.
if you were his agent, and you encouraged him to play for the USA, you should be fired for doing a poor job. If he declares for Germany, and he continues to improve, he could easily start for them in a few years — GREATLY increasing his marketability across Europe, thus raising his pay packet. Which is what an agent should be doing.
“It’s gonna be Germany, or as a last resort — Serbia. I’m almost sure he’d rather have three-hour flights around Europe than ten-hour jaunts to Panama so he can catch dysentery. ”
Clearly someone has not been to Panama.
US “soccer” fans kill me, they so want to be a part of Europe. It ain’t happening folks, move on.
It’s either Germany or the U.S. for guaranteed World Cup appearances, marketing, etc.
Serbia many not make it to a World Cup or Euro again for many, many years. Bosnia never will.
His Germany career would be a lot shorter than his U.S. career, and more filled with bench time. He could probably lock down a spot in the center of the U.S. defense for 15 years.
mikemike…
it’s
“that’s unpossible!”
which is probably what you meant.
I have a t-shirt of that phrase with his picture.
Ralph rules.
“We all know he wouldn’t be starting for a while as long as boca and onyewu stay constistent and healthy”
umm, no. He’d replace Bocanegra almsot immediately.
Abschied nehmen Neven Subotic.
tom- the only reason gooch and boca have the middle guarenteed is b/c our other options are either injured or not as good.. subotic is playing well and in a better league then both of them… not to mention scoring goals as a defender, which means he’d fit in well and possible contend as leading goal scorer for the US…. id be almost certain that germany wouldnt be starting him so long as they have consistant back line…
This whole episode is going to depress the @*#! out of me…
well, if the kid doesn’t want to play for the US (where he got his start in soccer) or his home nation (where maybe his heart is) then who cares. i’d lump in the same category as Rossi and forget about him…
If he was denied Germany as a national team, what could U.S. offer him? No playing time? We all know he wouldn’t be starting for a while as long as boca and onyewu stay constistent and healthy. Seems serbia could offer him immediate playing time, wouldnt he be paired up with Vidic from Man U? That seems like it would be a good deal for him.
hello- i simply wanted to be the 4th person to point out that you misread the question…… yeeeeesss im badass
If I were Subotic’s agent, I would strongly be pushing him to play for the USA.
The depth of talent on the German team prevents him from having a good shot at making the starting XI.
The US on the other hand (and it pains me to say this) doesn’t have the quality of players as Germany and thus would give Subotic the best chance of actually playing in the World Cup.
Most, if not all, athletes aim to compete at the highest level. It would be worthless to get to the highest level but not have the chance to participate. That would be the problem with the German team. The American squad is the best fit.
me fail english?
that umpossible!
to hello,
the question isnt “which team do you want him to play for?” but “which team do you ultimately see him playing for?”
Hello-
It is what team do you predict him eventually playing for.
You just had the dumbest responses ever.
-Mike
@hello
Learn how to read. The question didn’t ask which country you want him to play for. It asked which one he would eventually choose. Big difference.
i feel that subotic has his mind set on playing for germany…. however, the chance of that happening is still up in the air… hence why he’s not coming our publicly with any interest of his own…. i think the reason he isnt taking a side vocally is if it doesnt work out he’s burned 2 bridges…. he’s playing the political game just as well as he’s playing the actual game….
Posted by: brett | September 18, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Nuff said Brett. Might as well close the thread, Ives.
It’s gonna be Germany, or as a last resort — Serbia. I’m almost sure he’d rather have three-hour flights around Europe than ten-hour jaunts to Panama so he can catch dysentery.
I get the same impression, that if he ends up being eligible for Germany that’s who he’ll play for. It’s a shame.
i feel that subotic has his mind set on playing for germany…. however, the chance of that happening is still up in the air… hence why he’s not coming our publicly with any interest of his own…. i think the reason he isnt taking a side vocally is if it doesnt work out he’s burned 2 bridges…. he’s playing the political game just as well as he’s playing the actual game….
this is big time football, folks. if germany wants him and subotic wants germany, then that’s whats going to happen. i dont want someone on my national team if it’s their second choice.
He knows that Germans have a legit chance of winning the world cup.
I honestly believe that U.S. has the players to become better than what they are now, I think we need a different direction than we currently have.
There’s no way in the world that he is gong to play for the USA…….. I want him too, but I’m realistic!!!!!! AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Once again!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!!
i’m being pessimistic about subotic so that if he does decide against playing for the u.s. it won’t feel like i have been sucker-punched in the stomach.
Dumbest question ever… what country would I like to see Subotic play for… uh Germany…. uh hell no, if he doesn’t play for the U.S I will hunt him down and do bad things to his family.