It's Friday and it is time to start a new series, which is more like the old series.
Every Friday, I will touch on some of the week's popular subjects being discussed by readers, as well astouch on news stories SBI may have missed. We've called these types of posts Musings and TGIF before, but now we'll be going with Friday Free Kicks and plan to make it a weekly series.
The first subject today is Jermaine Jones. the Schalke 04 midfielder is sidelined by pain in his surgically-repaired shin, and still hasn't been approved by FIFA to make the switch from Germany to the United States, but there's still plenty of discussion going on about his impending move to the U.S. national team.
One of the more disturbing arguments being made about Jones is that he shouldn't even be coming to the U.S. national team. That as a player who was raised in Germany and who played for Germany, he isn't "American enough" to play for the United States. This may just be the misguided rantings of a vocal minority of U.S. fans, but it's talk that needs to stop.
Jermaine Jones is the son of an American serviceman, which affords him rights as an American citizen. To suggest that he shouldn't play for the United States because he didn't grow up here doesn't make much sense and doesn't exactly go along with the history of the national team. Should Thomas Dooley, Roy Wegerle and Earnie Stewart not have played for the United States? Perhaps Tab Ramos should have waited for the call-up from Uruguay rather than being a key figure in the evolution of American soccer?
It doesn't really make much sense. Yes, Jones played for Germany in friendlies, and only spent brief parts of his childhood here, but that doesn't make him any less worthy of wearing the U.S. uniform. This isn't the case of a Frenchman being rushed onto the U.S. national team by marriage. Jones is American by birthright and his qualities as a player and the potential improvement he could bring the U.S. team should be applauded and not criticized.
Jones may have been raised in Germany, and may be learning English and speaking it with a German accent, but he has always seemed far more American by nature than German. From his swagger, to his tattoos (including the one, in English, that say "Whatever doesn't kill you can only make you stronger", to his willingness to speak his mind, Jones may just flourish in the U.S. national team environment, with fellow free spirits like Charlie Davies, Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore, and away from the rigid structure of German soccer.
So yes, Jones should be embraced as an American from the moment he joins the U.S. national team. Not just because he's a standout player, but because he has every right to be a part of the team.
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Now, onto some free kicks:
Remember that Tim Howard diving save vs. Trinidad & Tobago? It wasn't actually a save. Why not? Thanks to the sharp eye of an SBI reader, we were tipped off to the fact that the kick was supposed to be an indirect free kick by Trinidad & Tobago. Referee Joel Aguilar clearly signals for the indirect free kick, but it appears that neither T&T players or U.S. players realize this and treat the play as a standard direct kick. What does this mean? In theory, if Howard hadn't made the save the play wouldn't have counted. That's the theory, but leaving that kind of a decision up to a CONCACAF referee would be crazy, so Howard deserves credit for still taking care of the would-be shot.
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Eddie Johnson scored in a Fulham reserve team match earlier in the week. His exclusion from Fulham's Europa League roster is disappointing, but he is continuing to plug along and shouldn't be completely written off just yet.
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As if DirecTV subscribers didn't already have all the luck with their FOX UEFA Champions League bonanza, they're also being treated to a free preview of Setanta Sports this weekend. Perfect timing, what with the Manchester Derby on Sunday. I'll confess to having halted my Setanta subscription during the summer. With the French League being even more appealing, it may be time to renew it.
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Remember wondering what it would mean to American soccer to have ESPN launching a channel in the UK? It means more exposure for MLS, which is having its matches shown across the pond more frequently now. Football fans in England will be able to watch Colorado-San Jose as well as Toronto FC-Los Angeles this weekend.
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You will soon be adding the San Jose Earthquakes to the list of MLS teams with detailed plans for a new stadium. The club is expected to reveal designs for a new stadium this weekend. It's good news for MLS and for Earthquakes fans, who with the recent retirement talk from Darren Huckerby and overall awful 2009 season, were desperate for something to cheer about.
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To go along with our Jermaine Jones lead item, I found some interesting thoughts from readers on Bryan Leyva's signing with FC Dallas. Apparently some people weren't happy with an MLS team developing a Mexican youth national team player. The fact is MLS teams should focus on developing the best talents possible, regardless of nationality. Pro teams are in the talent business, not in the business of just developing American talent. Having a highly-regarded prospect like Leyva sign in MLS is only a good thing, and bringing in more quality talent to MLS, whether foreign or American, can only help the American league and the countless American players who can benefit from a stronger pro league.
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After Emmanuel Adebayor's tasteless celebration in front of Arsenal fans, I can't help but wonder what Carlos Tevez might do if he scores on Sunday vs. Manchester United (He has resumed training and will need to pass a fitness test to play). He said this summer that if he scored he would do something in the direction of Alex Ferguson. Not sure that would be advisable in Old Trafford, and not in the wake of Adebayor's suspension. That's just another in a bunch of great subplots in the weekend's top match.
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Real Madrid will be on ESPN2 this weekend and it may be the one time some American fans who don't like Real Madrid will root for the big-spending club. Why? They face Xerez, the club that wasted a half season of Jozy Altidore's career by not playing him. If you're a U.S. fan and/or an Altidore fan, it's okay to be hoping for a Real Madrid blowout victory. Really.
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Bryan Arguez and Brek Shea scored goals in a 2-0 friendly victory against Trinidad & Tobago in the U.S. Under-20 team's final tune-up before the Under-20 World Cup.
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Lastly, in case you haven't noticed, I'm spending more time in the comments sections on SBI so be sure to keep an eye out to be responses to reader comments. It won't be every day, but I'm looking to inte
ract more with readers and so far it's been fun.
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What do you think of these Free Kicks? Agree or disagree about Jones? Surprised about the Tim Howard save vs. T&T? Curious to see what San Jose's stadium is supposed to look like? Will you be enjoying the free Setanta preview, or are you cursing the heavens because you don't have DirecTV?
Share your thoughts below.
Ives, given that you write for them I don’t think you should plug ESPN without making the caveat.
(SBI-Thanks Huricano. On the ESPN thing, you’re entitled to your opinion. It was an observation and this isn’t an ESPN site.)
Great job Ives and I totally agree with the Jones write up.
A while back I was trying to find information on Jones, so I went to German soccer blogs to see what the German fans had to say about the potential team swap. I found the prevailing attitude to be that if he doesn’t feel German enough to keep his allegiance to Germany, then good riddance let him go.
I found myself partially agreeing with this sentiment, but then I read a post that really put it in another light. The poster asked a general question about how many of the other posters had dual citizenship and knew how it felt to have to pick an allegiance (something roughly 25% of German youngsters have to deal with). Now, I am an American with English and Polish ancestry, but I only feel American so it is easy for me to get caught up with the emotion that a person should only represent the country they engage their everyday life with, but I don’t have two different forces pulling on my national identity so I am not in a position to judge a person like Jones.
As for my opinion on the Jones ordeal: Jones was raised in Germany by a German mother (his dad only lived in Germany for a couple of years) and that he has generally tried to find his place in the German culture (he is even married to a former miss Germany), but at times he has faced some identity issues that have made it difficult for him to completely do so. From one aspect it appears that he had some differences of opinion with the German National coach so he was not invited back to the team and that is why he is coming to our team, but Jones indicated that those differences in opinion come from his personality and style which he feels is different than most of the German team members because of his American heritage. If this is how Jones feels, then I welcome him with him open arms. As a fan I can think of no better way for him to try to embrace his American heritage. With this being said, I feel that if the only reason a player wants to switch national allegiances is so they can play in the world cup and not because they identify with the nationality they are representing, then they should not be allowed to do so. On a contradictory note, I reserve the right to continue to vilify Rossi.
And as for Ives getting “political”… well, it’s his blog. He’s got the right to an opinion, and he’s certainly educated himself on matters of soccer to have the right to express it, especially when the commentators steer the conversation away from “soccer” and into “political” issues.
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Not him, just some posters who knee-jerk accuse others of xenophobia, racism, etc. if they happen to have another opinion.
That’s my point — how is this political? No need to inject that crap (yet I see Ives has no problem with it; I wonder if he would if it was on the other side).
Kinda funny though that we’re talking such a non-issue for 99% of fans, when in any other country the fans DESPISE having a guy from another country represent the national team.
There are a set of rules that FIFA operates by in determining a player’s nationality. When it comes to dual citizenships, some people have this sense that one’s American identity requires that they not express any loyalty to any other country… ever. I think Jason is right in kind of comparing this to Earnie Stewart situation, but I’d add the disclaimer in saying that we have the benefit of hindsight in looking at Stewart. Ten years from now, when Jones has spent a decade in a US uniform or has retired from the USMNT, only then would we have the same perspective. But I don’t even think we would be having this conversation if Jones was born on US soil and then moved to Germany the next day. (Then, he would just be a kid who was born in Jersey or wherever.)
I also don’t think this is an issue with just American fans. If you read some of Jones’s interviews, he talks about his American identity a lot, even as to being something that might have worked against him when he was seeking a spot of the German MNT. So, perhaps Ives was referring to Jones’s tattoos and distinctly “American” personality as something that has worked against him in his career. (And we all know that there is still a stigma attached to being an “American” playing in Europe). In the end though, Bradley couldn’t give a crap. His job is to put the best 11 on the field. If Jones is one of them, and he develop chemistry with the team, then he’s going to be on the field, whether we like it or not.
As for club teams developing talent, if soccer in the US operated like Europe (which is what US soccer eventually hopes will happen), then the MLS will take over a great deal of the searching for and finding talent in the country. And as a business, it is the purpose of a MLS business to find the best young players regardless of nationality. If you’re worried about developing US-born players, well, that’s why there are roster limits on internationals on MLS rosters. And with the current MLS explosion, we should be worried about talent dilution more than anything else.
And as for Ives getting “political”… well, it’s his blog. He’s got the right to an opinion, and he’s certainly educated himself on matters of soccer to have the right to express it, especially when the commentators steer the conversation away from “soccer” and into “political” issues.
Ives, I like this Free Kick portion of your site. I may not always agree with your opinion, but I don’t mind reading them either. Really enjoy a bit more of your personal views on subjects as opposed to just news and “tell me what you think”.
I’m more upset about Jones’ blatant homophobia. Then again, heres a sport that still has severe issues with racism and had to launch a campaign to remind people not to be ignorant. Why is soccer still stuck in the past?
I also want to clarify, I don’t think there is anything wrong with someone like Bernard Lagat coming to America and seeking out the things we have here.
My point was more that I just feel guilty when an athlete is born, grows up, becomes an elite athlete and wins world championships in one country… when he is allowed to switch nationalities and start doing that for a country he just moved to. I feel like Kenya truly deserves his medals, and it makes them harder to celebrate.
I think it’s unfair to completely discredit mixed emotions about a player switching nationalities in any circumstance. It’s always very subjective to the situation, and there are some times when I would much rather have a born and bred American like Jeff Agoos than say David Regis, even if Regis is a more talented player. (The French Regis married an American woman so he could play for USA in France 98).
Now your points about Jermaine Jones are good and well, and I personally welcome him to the USMNT. The fact that you left out is that Jones clearly had every intention of playing for Germany until it was clear that he wasn’t good enough.
Call me old fashioned, but I don’t like that Team USA’s best distance runners are former World Champions for Kenya. Remember last summer when Russia and Georgia were facing off in beach volleyball during their big political conflict, only for it to come out that the Georgian athletes were actually from Brazil and had only been in Georgia to formally become citizens.
It’s one thing for the United States, because we have been built almost entirely by immigrants who have come in the last 300 years. On one hand, it’s only natural that a person from Kenya might want to come here. On the other though, when Bernard Lagat wins, it doesn’t feel like an American product. It feels like we stole a great runner from Kenya and dressed him in our clothes.
FIFA handles this much better than the Olympics, in my opinion, with the rule that once you have suited up for a national team you cannot switch. But still, there is something to me about a national team where it is supposed to actually represent your nation. That’s why I think it’s really subjective in terms of who you want on your team. Freddy Adu wasn’t born in the U.S., but he still feels like our product. David Regis and guys like that, I’d rather not have him.
With all that said, bring on Jermaine Jones.
I’ve heard the Jones not American argument. It’s just pure ignorance. America is a melting pot. He deserves to play here. I wish we were his first choice from the beginning though. Also, Ives is right. The MLS is in the talent business, not the develop American talent business. With that said, I hope he whithers away in the reserves…I hate Mexico in so many ways
Bring on Jones and God bless America.
I have NO problem with Jermaine Jones playing for us — the more the merrier, even if you’re from Mars — if you can help the USMNT.
However, to disregard what should be objectively the truth — that he is a German with an American passport, having no connection to the US otherwise — is laughable. Even more silly is to call those who state these obvious facts as “xenophobes” and “anti-immigrant.” For starters, I’m not sure how JJ qualifies as an immigrant, considering he’s had U.S. citizenship his entire life and — as far as I know — hasn’t stated any plans on moving to America any time soon.
But look, I love that he wants to play for us, and hope he mixes well and contributes. But the pathetic projection on those who disagree with you, and the injection of partisan politics (!) is really ridiculous in this context.
Then again, some are so intellectually bankrupt that the substance of their arguments can only extend to name-calling and baseless projection. Not unlike current events, as referenced in this thread, of calling big government protesters “racist teabaggers” and those who favor border security “nativist xenophobes.” Let’s see if we can discuss things substantively, hm? That is, if you’re capable…
Ives, I will personally build you a soap box because that is the best sermon I’ve heard in years. I totally agree, only an idiot wouldn’t want Jones. It might create some lineup controversy within the camp, but to be honest, it would be insane not to want him as the starting holding mid. I can’t wait to see him in a USA shirt. I think he will be the type of player to really fire up guys like Dempsey, Jozy, and Davies in a way that Bocanegra can’t. Not to say Boca isn’t a great captain, and there’s no doubt he should wear the arm band (or Landon), but it’s fiery guys like Jones that will bring attitude and rebirth the “Don’t Tread on This” mentality in our squad. Line up Dream…
————-Davies———-Altidore—————
Dempsey——-Bradley——–Jones——–Donovan
Castillo——–Bocanegra—–Onyewu——–Spector
———————–Howard——————–
Subs: Feilhaber, Cherundolo, DeMerit, Clark, Holden, Adu, Edu, Guzan, Lichaj, Johnson, Marshall
Obviously, given Castillo gets called in and plays well.
Isn’t the rumor re 98 that Harkes and the ripple effect caused by those actions (including how Samson handled it) were the real disruption?
Great article Ives
Bradley’s job is to put the best team and system into place as possible. If Jones is in form, it is Bradley’s job to figure out how to integrate him and convince the team it’s what is best. Given MBs reduced form lately and the option of playing a creative player with Jones. This question is bound to be Bradley’s biggest challenge to his abilities leading up to SA.
I would like to know who is going to pay for the new San Jose stadium. Is Lew Wolf REALLY going to pay for this thing himself? Or is he is still expecting sponsors to give him millions of dollars for it?
The city and county sure aren’t going to pay to build it. They are giving him the land at a discounted rate. He should just pay for the stadium himself already!
Ives,
Your argument, or any other argument for or against Jones is ridiculous (tattoos? come on). The only thing that matters is that the rules say he can play for the U.S., so he can. Any other argument, or American-ness or Foreign-ness are moot.
(SBI-The point of me pointing out things such as “American-ness” and his tattoos wasn’t to show that he should be able to play for the USA, but painting a picture of a player with more ties to this country than people realize.)
Ives, I think you’re plain wrong. I, for one, want nothing to do w/ Jones and isn’t b/c of xenophobia.
First off, the decision is Bob Bradley’s alone to make. It has f*** all to do w/ citizen-status, and everything to do w/ intangible issues like chemistry.
Secondly, just b/c a player is a dual-citizen is not an automatic reason to incorporate him into the team. In this case, there’s LESS REASON to grant Jones a starting position on the basis of his citizenship, as opposed to someone like Roy Wegerle, who was MERELY A NATURALIZED ONE!
To cite the most obvious examples:
1. Steve Sampson brought David Regis into the 1998 camp at the last minute, one of MANY blows to team unity. Regis was naturalized on May 20, 1998, LESS THAN 3 WEEKS BEFORE the start of the WC and while he played well, Sampson’s decision reflected a basic lack of respect for his players and disregard of team chemistry. It’s widely noted that Sampson lost the respect of his players long before the tournament started and last-minute decisions like this one only cast furthered the rift.
2. Roy Wegerle attended the Univ. of S. Florida from 1982-1984, then played in the NASL for 2 years. He was naturalized in 1991 before EARNING a spot on the national team and participating in the ’94 WC. He was entirely acclimated to US customs, culture, language, etc, and well-respected by his teammates by all accounts.
3. Earnie Stewart’s situation is most comparable to Jones’s. Potentially, Stewart spent even LESS TIME in the US as a child than Jones. Yet Stewart appeared 100+ for the USMT from 1990-2004. Like Wegerle, he was a team-leader off and on the field and well-respected as a result.
4. Looking at the record, Jermaine Jones comes off as mercurial at best, and plainly disruptive to boot. He seems petulant, petty and, for lack of a better word, a true cock, by all accounts.
Is that who we want on the squad?
As recently as March of 2009, he said in response to jeering Schalke supporters, “[It doesn’t] make any f-ing difference [what they think] at the end of the day.” Face it, if (the world spun off its axis and) Wayne Rooney decided to play for the US (and this was somehow okay w/ the US Gov’t, FIFA and the English-speaking world), Bradley would prob. meet him at the airport. But, Jermaine Jones IS NOT Wayne Rooney!
Watching Bob Bradley operate for years, I think it’s safe to say that he values chemistry and cohesion highly.
I’m glad that the decision is now his to make. However, Bradley certainly has a penchant for blocking out distractions. He may give Jones a run-out before the end of the year, but I seriously doubt he’s a lock for the team. He certainly isn’t in my eyes and until he shows otherwise, I don’t see why Bradley should or would risk team morale or his system, regardless of how crappy you think it is.
nice vid of jermaine jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMNjqyt9YVM
I agree with you almost entirely. Even since the origins of American soccer, we have had our stars that were not native-born. Three of the stars of the 1950 WC “Miracle on Grass” win were not American citizens at all. At the time, it was required that one only need to declare one’s future intent to seek citizenship to play for a team. So, Haitian-born US goal-scoring hero, Joe Gaetjens, who had no American parentage, was never an American citizen. And he never did attain US citizenship, but he was a hero enough in life to deserve our admiration, and a hero enough for me to call him an American. Creating bright line rules and working in absolutes on issues like this are games that foolish people play.
I would say ask that you consider that many of us, as American soccer fans, don’t really grasp the concept of “citizenship” under FIFA rules. This all means that, for the most part, some people have a problem with FIFA (but don’t know it). But still, this should not be an issue with the player. If one doesn’t agree with FIFA’s concept of “nationality,” it probably comes from our distinctly strict American approach to citizenship, and not the liberal European approach.
At the same time, we encourage our players who do have European parentage to take advantage of laws that allow them to get European passports, so that they can play in Europe without resorting to work permits. So, in fact, we as fans encourage our players to seek dual citizenship but only when it comes to “our” benefit if they were to play for the USMNT.
And, I, for one, believe that Jones has nothing to prove to anyone else. He is an American to me by right of his father, and owes me no explanation. I know non-Americans who have lived their entire lives on American soil, and I know 100% Americans who have never lived a day on US soil. It just doesn’t matter. They are persons who are eligible to play for our country and often have a right to play for our country.
In the end, who are any of us to judge when it should take more than a passing moment to understand who these people are.
Jones is American, period. That is undeniable. However, he is also German. And for the past 27 years its been quite heavily leaning on the German and less so on the American, while undeniably there. Sounds murky or merc-y and extremely convenient. OH well I’ll take him. It is bob’s decision not mine
“chelski002” – interesting nick’ for someone crying about how much people have sacrificed for American soccer….
Seriously, the number of US players developed through MLS significantly outweighs one player who might play for Mexico.
MLS is in the soccer business. Developing players is a major part of that. Yes, it should be about US players *first*, but not US players *only.*
And yes, like others, I too would love to have the irony of having developed a Mexican national team player in the US, through the “inferior” MLS.
@scott47a
How is the following xenophobic?
“Immigrants? Hell, yeah!
Mercenaries? No thanks.”
Did you not read the first line or something?
I’ve kind of warmed up to the idea of him playing for us, but there is no doubt in my mind he is a ‘mercenary’.
To those who don’t believe that, I would be curious to hear what their definition of mercenary is.
I think we all agree that he has the American passport, so he could legally play for the US, but I don’t think that is what the ‘haters’ are arguing about.
Denying immigrants the opportunity to play for the US would be morally abhorrent and justifiably result in significant sanctions from FIFA – including probably a FIFA ban.
I havent really noticed the backlash against Jones. Maybe ive learned to ignore them.
His father payed his dues and his kid deserves to be called an American. Yes there are some that want only caucasion third generation players but thats nonsense. Me, I wish they would open an US Army base in Argentina and Brazil. Looking forward to the players from Iraq and Afghanistan, and the former Yugoslavia in 10 yrs also.
By the way, not to late to fnd Leyva an Amrican wife and cap him.
Ives any chance of a Cory Gibbs sighting on the nats?
Mr. Jones is a citizen of the United States of America and should be given all the rights every other citizen of this country gets. Which includes the right to try out for our national teams, irregardles of where he has developed his skills.
Chelski002-
I understand what you are saying, but he is American. USSF or Germany does not develop the players. Their clubs develop them or their club coaches do. What player in the world was only developed by their national team. They helped, put its been a very small role. The player already has it or you dont. USSF’s job is to select the best players that are American citizens. Show me someone better and I will agree to argue with you about giving them a chance. But, that does not mean Jones doesnt get a chance or a look also.
Bottom line is, some people are fortunate to have dual options. I am sure they love both.
Fischy-
We are talking soccer here, not politics. We hear enough of that BS from either side throughout our days.
Many of us have spent money, thankless time, thankless effort to help develop AMERICAN born players. It would be a travesty for those players that sacrificed everything for American soccer. And the Jones selection would present an inaccurate assessment of US soccer. Lets have the courage to select an American born, American developed player. Legalities aside. It would emesis inducing to select a German born, developed player for the US. Similarly it is an insult to the German Football associations as they invested ALL the time and money to develop Jones and thereby denying another German the same opportunity. That people would actually encourage the USSF to select Jones is sickening and disturbing and unfair. There should be loyalty to the homegrown kids.
Of course Jones should be welcomed. Only an ass—- would say otherwise. I wonder how many of those making negative comments about Jones are mindless reactionary “teabaggers” or consumers of FOX “News”.
As for Leyva — of course MLS teams should strive to turn their academies into feeders for the main squad. There is no reason why they should consider their academies as training grounds for USA prospects — and no particular reason why they shouldn’t sign prospects with foreign nationalities. No particular reason, except one: Leyva’s Mexican national team play and his fealty to Mexican soccer may lead him to jump ship sooner than an American player. That said, the best American players are all looking for overseas placements, so there’s no reason to single out Leyva as a potential problem. So long as MLS remains a second or third-class league, it will always be a calculated risk to develop talented players.
On the other hand, if the league can raise the talent level, then maybe more players would see less reason to go. In other words, MLS should always try to develop and recruit the best players it can, regardless of nationality.
your father fights for the USA=you are American…period.
What on Earth is controversial or objectionable about becoming a US citizen through marriage? Why shouldn’t such people be allowed to play for the US?
There’s nothing contrived about a US national team that looks like the US population. There’s nothing wrong with anyone with a US passport representing the US, certainly not anyone whose route to citizenship represents a chunk of the US population.
And yes, having spent most of the last dozen years overseas, I have met many “David Regis” type Americans. US citizens, married to overseas-based Americans, who don’t speak English very well and have not yet had the opportunity to live in the US. There are many many spouses of dipomats, development workers, and others who fit that description. I’ve known some with top secret State Dept. security clearances. If people don’t think such individuals should play for the US national team, I can only imagine what they must think of that!
In any case, a 1998 Regis (natural center back mind you) would start at LB for our current team too.
Ives,
Great piece and I support you and agree with you. Enough about the BS with Jones, we should feel fortunate to have him want to play with the US. The same guys that are saying this crap are the same people that are crying why we don’t have “talented Euro type” players playing on the US. Well here he is, stop the bitching and accept The American Jones.
A thought about Jones-
I agree, bring him in. We all came from somewhere else and you would do the same if given the chance.
I also think because he grew up in Germany, Germany had an easier time scouting him for the national team. So him switching does not bother me. We cant even scout players here bc of size, how can we keep up over there also. What is the USMNT supposed to do, get Census Data on every kid being raised abroad that could possibly be a citizen? Do they have a Matrix or Tracker built to keep up with this? You IT guys, get busy.
The more competition we have, the better we are. For all you MB lovers, this is the push he needs. It can only help him grow.
BlueWhiteLion — you are getting pretty technical on calling native americans immigrants. I’m not really sure what your point is.
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Amazing that Ives pointed out the anti-Jones people, others said they hadn’t heard of it, and then “wham” they show up in these comments saying things like
“Immigrants? Hell, yeah!
Mercenaries? No thanks.”
Thanks for calling out the xenophobes, Ives. A child of an American serviceman is an American. Period. Even if they never play a minute of soccer for America or on American soil, they are Americans. Deal with it.
Like the Friday Free Kicks Ives.
This site is getting better and better by the minute. No one can touch you.
Enjoying the reading, THANKS!
Good stuff Ives, look forward to future columns! But no, I will not support Real Madrid.
Christian,
Actually its a superiority complex, sorry I am a dooshnozzle. But i totally agree with you, with many of the nativist ideas thrown around you would think Tom Tancredo was president or the Know Nothing Party was in power
Christian,
It’s a superiority complex, im a douche sorry. Besides that I agree with you completely, with the attitudes of some poeple you would think Tom Tancredo was running the country or the Know Nothing Party was in power
Great stuff Ives, keep it up. I will sing your praises ’til the end if you can find info on the new Philly kit before it’s released.
I don’t have a problem with MLS developing a foreign born player. I want to see the National Team improve and have an issue with a 16 yr old who moves here for non-soccer reasons whose family wants US citizenship and is benefiting by living here then plays for somone else. Nothing to do with MLS.
Posted by: Daniel Koronowski
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IF his family pays taxes and stays out of trouble, they don’t owe you anything.
What is with some people around here and their entitlement issues?
Leyva was a kid when he moved here, he didn’t ask to leave Mexico to come to the US.
He doesn’t owe anybody anything, much less some dude on a blog with a serious inferiority complex.
I’ll support Jones. If his father was a serviceman, he probably had no choice in which country he would be raised. He deserves every right and opportunity that every other American gets as his father has definitely paid the price for those rights and opportunities – especially to play for the US team.
Great segment Ives…………..
Speaking of what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger here is great article on honduran wilson palacios
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/tottenham/6207470/Trauma-acting-as-spur-for-Wilson-Palacios.html
“Whatever doesn’t kill you can only make you stronger”.
The significance of this tattoo being in English should be self-explanatory when you learn that Jones’ father was in the military. It’s a very common phrase used as motivation during basic training when guys start to reach their limits and falter.
I don’t have a problem with MLS developing a foreign born player. I want to see the National Team improve and have an issue with a 16 yr old who moves here for non-soccer reasons whose family wants US citizenship and is benefiting by living here then plays for somone else. Nothing to do with MLS.
I also canceled my Setanta service this summer. I would renew but seeing as how there’s seemingly a free preview every other week I may hold off.
Plus, he is REALLY good. Look at his tackle in the picture!!
Posted by: DC Josh | September 18, 2009 at 05:32 PM
I’m about to feel kinda sorry for the other dude in the picture…
Immigrants? Hell, yeah!
Mercenaries? No thanks.
I think I read somewhere that EJ may dress for the first team this weekend. I’m probably wrong about that, but I believe I’ve been hearing that he is making progress.
With regards to Jones, I have less problem with him than Castillo. Just as long as Jones doesn’t play defense and let Klinsmann score in a World Cup.