Photo by ISIphotos.com
by GIANFRANCO PANIZO
When American-born San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Arturo Alvarez stated his public desire to play for the El Salvador National Team last week, it was upsetting news for USA fans who considered him a viable left wing prospect and thought they were losing yet another prospect to a foreign country.
Upon closer inspection, Alvarez will be denied the opportunity to join Los Cuscatlecos. Alvarez represented the United States at the U-20 level in the qualification tournament for the 2005 FIFA Youth World Championship. With Alvarez currently being 23 years old, he can no longer apply for the one-time National Team switch. Per FIFA guidelines, a player can only make the change before his 21st birthday, which means that the Houston native can only play for the U.S. national team.
A high-ranking source at U.S. soccer confirmed on Saturday that Alvarez can only play for the United States.
Alvarez played for the USA under Sigi Schmid on two occasions in 2005 Under-20 World Cup qualifying tournament, a 69-minute start against Costa Rica and a 13-minute appearance off the bench against Panama.
What do you think of Alvarez attempting to play for El Salvador? Think he was tired of waiting for a call from the U.S. national team? Think he is worthy of a call-up? Think this stunt should keep him from getting called up again? Do you see Alvarez trying to appeal to FIFA to be allowed to play for El Salvador?
Share your thoughts below.
FTP
I want to bring up a good point right now. This generation coming next and the next one after that are going to be more hispanic and nonwhite with options for other National Teams. Its not going to be your ‘burban lil Jimmy who played soccer because his father was too busy watching the Giants and Colts while his mother thought American Football is to violent to play. And like USSF history shows, the best offensive players still are nonwhites and hispanics when given the chance. All National players now seem to be from Cali or the southern states.
And Brian, Alvarez is good enough to at least be on the bench. The major problem that Bob has is he likes playing with two defensive midfielders. Or with 5 midfielders. Lets face it there are many players that aren’t getting chances. That is all on Bob. Alvarez, Davis, Conrad, and Cunningham are all players that are more than capable of playing. But Bradley seems more comfortable playing Johnson and Beasley who haven’t really been doing much for themselves abroad. But the previous four I mentioned have contributed very well to their teams this year and last.
Only time will tell if he’s elegible to play for ES. Hopefuly it’ll be sooner than later, ES team doesn’t have much time for him to get used to De LosCobos’ idea.
I really hope to see Quintanilla and Alvarez playing together. Besides, the US team has lots of players to chose from. I hope FIFA isn’t too strict on this matter, otherwise, like somebody said earlier, this kid will be in purgatory, and will always be denied the chance to play for a national team.
Juan wrote:
“Say this to the Salvadoreans, they are taking it as though he will play for them and all…which puzzles me because the rules are black and white and either they are naive or they have ‘connections’ up there…”
It’s not true. There is a very lively debate here in El Salvador about the chances of Alvarez playing for the national team. The debate has moved on from whether Alvarez is eligible. The debate now is on 1) ONLY playing Alvarez if it is 100% approved by FIFA so as not to lose games by default and 2) How to get FIFA to approve Alvarez on El Salvador. USNST has no interest in him. Let him play for his other nationality.
Say this to the Salvadoreans, they are taking it as though he will play for them and all…which puzzles me because the rules are black and white and either they are naive or they have ‘connections’ up there…
Alva-who?
And by the way,
If Alvarez wins the appeal, we still have a shot at Edgar Castillo because the only thing that bind the two players to their countries are youth NT caps in CONCACAF events.
Jonnathan,
We have tons of duel nationals that make up important parts of our team. Jozy, Freddy, Bocanegra, Gooch, Howard, Torres, Orozco, Bornstein, Pablo, Benny, Cooper, Edu, Parkhurst… and many more
We have won the hearts and minds of many.
Alvarez just isn’t good enough for the US. It’s nothing against him. If he improved, he’d get the call.
Alvarez chose to play for the US two times. When he first played for the USA youth team… and when he turned 21 (making it permanent). He could have switched but didn’t.
After the Rontgen incident, we have to show extra kindness to dual-nats or we’re going to lose more and more. In this case we do have Alvarez, but nevertheless it is imperative for Bradley to show that he wants dual-nats in OUR player pool by calling up Alvarez.
hope he gets to play for ES, 1) great experience(WCQ/HEX/Gold cup) 2) he was never going to get much of a chance on the US squad 3) if he gets int’l experience it should benefit MLS
Due to the responses here, I’m glad that the USMNT doesn’t have Rossi and Subotic among their players. Wishing ill on a dual national and other stuff. The US might have won on this one, but it will not be victorious on the war for the hearts and minds of dual nationals.
This is the link about El Salvador’s appeal to the FIFa.
http://www.elgrafico.com/index.php?dest=true&art=23133
El Salvador has appealed on his behalf and are waiting for a FIFA’S decision sometime next Monday/Tuesday.
Alvarez will be traveling to San Salvador or Tegucigalpa next Wednesday just on time for the math against Nicaragua for the UNCAF.
USA has an enormous pool of players to choose from. El Salvador’s is much smaller. He may never get a call from the senior team.
I understand that time and effort was spent on his development, but I don’t think he is the only left wing available.
At 28, Brad Davis (Dynamo) is another great lefty.
Just give the kid a chance to play!
Well, it doesnt hurt, but I cant say that Im really excited.
Why should we feel bad for him?
He wasn’t cheeted and the rule is perfectly fai.
He just hasn’t been getting called up to the USA because he wasn’t good enough.
The object isn’t to reward people with duel citizenships to have a fall back option. Look at Hunter Freeman. He played for the USA and can’t get senior callups because he’s not good enough too.. Why should Alvarez be allowed to go to another country just so he can be allowed to play when many other people aren’t afforded the same option? The object is to make people decide at a relatively young age (21) and then stick with it.
How is this unfair? This rule serves a good purpose and should be kept intact…
And Messi went to the olympics because Barca and Argentina brokered a deal that would see him not play in any friendlies for the rest of the year…
DannyC58- if you are out there- got a good link to the West Ham game? My stream is really jumpy…
I think he should appeal to FIFA and then to The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where the rule probably would be declared unfair.
Remember during olympics, it was CAS which said FIFA and Barca had to let Messi play in Bejing. I bet they would find the rule
unfair.
Posted by: yoman | January 18, 2009 at 05:34 AM
Yeah and become Black Listed for life. Do you remember a certain Bosman? He would also lose the case, this rule is pretty damn clear. Olympic Soccer and World Cup play are completely different. World Cup is FIFA’s event and CAS has no jurisdiction over it nor would they even entertain the idea of hearing such a case.
Look the world ain’t perfect. When I first saw this story my attitude was like I’d never call you up. I calmed down and wondered why would someone take such a drastic step. I’ve seen it happen once in the past 15 years and it was a Brazilian player who was about to get German citizenship so he could play internationally but lo and behold he got called up to play for Brazil in one match and was NEVER called into the team again. They screwed him hard and that’s not right. I don’t know this guy’s situation other than a desire to play on the international level. I’ll never fault someone for having such a strong desire. I’m sure he’ll get called up soon to play for the US and I look forward to seeing him play. I just hope he doesn’t give up on representing the US.
Please stop with this USSF bashing – rolls my eyes. Too many of you guys look for all types of conspiracy type issues and they just ain’t true.
Does the USMNT get man management? If Alvarez has talent why haven’t we kept him warm, interested, and loyal? If he’s of no use to the USMNT, why not give him permission to play for El Salvador.
What did Becks say about Kaka the other day? Good players just want to play with other good players on good teams against good competition at the highest level possible and win championships. You can’t blame Alvarez for wanting to play national team level football.
bubba, your points are valid. USSF on the most part ignores Hispanic players.
I think he should appeal to FIFA and then to The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), where the rule probably would be declared unfair.
Remember during olympics, it was CAS which said FIFA and Barca had to let Messi play in Bejing. I bet they would find the rule
unfair.
yo bubba, you hit the nail right on the head. Cheers !
To Arturo Alvarez……….
SUCKER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Even though my origins are from El Salvador I wouldn’t like him to play for them. I still think he has a shot to play as a back up, if he gets his house in order. But why would playing for the U-20 and then not getting a call up to the senior team define your status? I understand that you have to make a decision by 21 but shouldn’t an official cap be the defining action. Honestly, this sounds like one of those cases that will be reversed.
And those unhappy for him trying to switch, we got a lot of those guys that decided to play for us and not their birthplace. We are not the only country losing talent, it happens all over the world. France, Holland and Germany are good examples of this practice.
Don’t understand why people are so quick to judge Arturo. De Los Cobos has been asking Arturo time and time again to play for El Salvador, and he has quietly waited to get a call up to the USMNT. He has been on the US radar since the kid was at least seventeen years old. He was set to play for the U-20 World Cup a few years back but couldn’t go at the last minute because he injured his groin while training with the San Jose Earthquakes literally a week or so before the tournament. That opened the way for Freddy Adu to go instead, and ever since then Arturo has been from the outside looking in.
If many feel he hasn’t performed enough to train with the USMNT then so be it, but don’t get after him for choosing to go with another national team. He was even in the US Olympic team radar but was once again left out, where Nowak clearly displayed he didn’t know what he was doing with some of the players like Altidore barely playing. Many were anxious for Subotic to declare for a national team after only being twenty, Arturo is now twenty-three and he hasn’t seen the pitch for the nationals and with another team chasing you why not?
Furthermore, look at how the USA got Francisco Torres to play for the USA over Mexico. Torres wanted to play for Mexico waited and even refused to participate with the US Olympic team, while he waited to get a call up for Mexico. Once Mexico didn’t come calling what did the guy do, choose to take the USMNT on their offer.
All I am trying to say is that when people are approaching you from several sides at one point you will have to make that decision. I too wonder how much help Arturo would have been to Eliseo Quintanilla and El Salvador on the offensive side of the ball. El Salvador is a team with promise that is very happy to be in the Hexagonal, so why not pursue that opportunity?
When it was all said and done it didn’t go through, so if he wants to represent a national team he will have to show without a doubt that he deserves it…
Doug, give me a freaking break. Alvarez just isn’t good enough for the US national team. And instead of trying to get better and busting his ass, what does he do? He pulls this lame stunt. That is the definition of a punk. He needs to grow up and maybe some day down the road he’ll get another chance. Right now, he doesn’t deserve one.
Imagine you worked hard as hell at your job only to see others less qualified, in your opinion, get promotion after promotion and you keep gettin passed over. Would you stay at that job or try and go somewhere we you and your skill set would appreciated? If you answer the former, you are a stone cold liar. The kid is probably just tired of getting passed over again and again. Also, he doesnt have a Guillermo playing next to him like Robbie Rogers, like Blanco playing next to Mapp or Holden playing next to D-Ro. The guy played for freakin San Jose, an expansion team. Id say he did well considering the circumstances. He didnt have a seasoned veteran to lean on for 2/3 of the season until Huckerby arrived
cant blame the kid for trying. The dropoff is significant after DMB for left wingers. There is nothing to seperate him from Robbie Rogers, Justin Mapp or Stuart Holden in my opinion. I always liked him as a player, very skilled and capable of the unexpected, something the USMNT has lacked for a while. Some may question his dedication but out of the previous group he is by far the most naturally talented. The US is in no position to turn away potential naturally left sided midfielders. Made even more evident by the fact DMB is not too far removed from knee ligament damage. It would behoove Bradley to at least give the kid a shot to prove he belongs. For Christ’s sake, even Ramiro Corrales and Clarence Goodson get looks
Now, here’s what we do with this punk, WE NEVER EVER INVITE HIM TO A CAMP…EVER!!!!! He will forever live in pergatory of National team exposure. You don’t want to play for us? FINE, too bad so sad, go play for…ohhh ya you can’t hope you do well for your club cause thats all your gonna get buddy.
I think he was pissed that he trained with the Olympic team and then got left home while a few other stiffs made the squad.
Alvarez does have talent and offensive skill and is left footed, but he has a tendency to drift aimlessly and not play much defense. Flashes of brilliance then stupid plays like getting thrown out of the 2007 playoff game vs. Houston for a knee to the groin when they were up 2-0 on aggregate – it probably cost his team the series. Mistakes like they that are why he probably isn’t anywhere near Bradley’s player pool.
It doesn’t help much that he had to play with FC Dalcrap for a few seasons.
I agree with those who think he needs to be more consistent. I hope he can do that because he has scored some really nice goals.
I actually wanted him to play for El Salvador. It would make their team better and making the US’s competition just a bit tougher (however minimal) and national team experience likely would have helped him improve. He could have evolved into yet another dangerous left footed player in MLS.
BUT, there’s no way he deserves a call up right now. Beasley is still better, even with limited playing time, Rogers is far more deserving based on club form, Lewis has the experience and is now stateside, and there are a ton of players in the crowded US midfield that could play Alvarez’s own position better than he could: Donovan, Adu, Kljestan, Torres, etc.
He shouldn’t try to appeal and FIFA would be dumb to let that happen. It would open up doors to hundreds of more possible appeals.
I’m crushed. He was going to be a great addition to ES. I guess we have no choice but to move foward. 🙁
he probably knew he wouldnt get a chance with the US nats so he tried plan B. You cant blame him
You can check out the RedBulls new 09 jersey on theoffside.com — they look pretty lame
both the manager and the player knew that this might happen. Alvarez just wanted to play for a national team because it looks like he wont get any playing time for the us. I dont blame him at all. This is a big blow for el salvador, but i have a feeling that they wont be as bad as everyone thinks they will. De Los Cobos is doing a spectacular job with them. With costa rica slipping and trinidad and tobago as un diciplined that they are, dont be surprised if they are right up there for the number Four spot. It will be a very difficult hex from now on.
It’s honestly his fault or his manager’s fault for not knowing basic FIFA rules to international elgibility.
It’s not even something that’s in the fine print, it’s common knowledge.
Good for the U.S. He may become an important player in our pool one day.
As an FCD season ticket holder: if he is the answer for the Nats then it”s the wrong question. Flashes (a la Benny?) convince him that he’s Pele II….not a 90 minute or two-player. MLS sub at best.
well too bad for Alvarez. Maybe if he improves he’ll get a look.. but i’m not holding my breath.
Arturo is simply too inconsitent of a player.
Too bad, we could have used him on the El Salvador national team.
what are you all talking about you idiots? this is exactly the type of player the US needs…Hey Alvarez keep it up and do your thing just be more consistent and have fun playing the style you play
like Subotic, it seems to me that Alvarez feels shafted by our National Team for one reason or another, and wants to be with a National Team that he feels he’s better off with. i can’t fault either of them for that.
I understand why Alvarez was looking at other options with the lack of play. I’m not sure it was he who should have gotten a look, but I think Bob Bradley should have made development of a winger a higher priority in ’08. Inside of camp Bradley should have kept a running competition for Holden, Rogers, and Alvarez to be Beasley’s back up when he’s out injured and build for the future. Ever since Convey went out we’ve been exposed as thin on the wing. I don’t think Alvarez would have won out, but he should have been part of the National team development.
The kid wont ever be a serious contender for USA Camps let alone a real national team game.
lol pwnt.
so many people trying to play for other countries lately.
i sad 🙁
but… news about Im on Setanta Sports makes me not so sad 🙂
http://www.setanta.com/uk/Videos/football/2009/01/17/The-end-for-Jose-Watch-here/
Yawn.
This guy is a headcase… Can’t FIFA make an exception so he can go annoy El Salvador for the rest of his life?
Glad to still have him available, even if I doubt he will ever be a signficant Nat