Photo by John Dorton/ISIPhotos.com
Conor Doyle was born and raised in Texas, and just finished a training camp with the U.S. Under-20 national team, but that hasn't stopped Ireland from courting him and leaving him with a decision to make over which country he will represent.
Doyle's father is Irish and playing for Ireland is an option, and now Doyle is facing even more pressure to make a decision after being called into an Irish Under-21 camp.
In a recent interview with the Herald of Ireland, Doyle revealed that he still hasn't made a decision between the United States and Ireland.
"I haven't made a final decision yet, there's still a chance that I could play for Ireland if I am asked," Doyle told the Herald. "I was away with the US for two training camps but I haven't committed myself to them in any way.
"If the FAI ask me to come and train with them then I'll do that, and make a final decision on my international future after that."
Doyle was called into a 19-man Ireland Under-21 squad for an upcoming friendly against Cyprus on Feb. 9th. Appearing in that friendly won't tie him to Ireland, but Doyle has expressed a desire to spend some time with the Ireland set-up to help him make his decision.
"I know I need to make a decision, I don't want to leave anyone waiting for me to decide, so if the Irish squad ask me to come to Dublin for a look I'd be happy to do it," added Doyle.
Doyle enjoyed an impressive training camp with the U.S. Under-20 national team in Florida earlier this month, playing well enough to be considered a good candidate for the Under-20 World Cup squad.
Doyle has seen his stock skyrocket since going from relative unknown to hot-shot youth national team prospect. His successful move to Derby County has elevated his status and the experience he's gained playing in the League Championship has improved him dramatically as a player.
What's my take? I can't imagine Doyle choosing Ireland considering he was born and raised in the United States, but playing in England, having Irish family nearby and Irish teammates influencing him could make the decision a tough one. He clearly has ties to Ireland, and is wise to explore his options, but with a role on the U.S. Under-20 national team a strong likelihood, it's tough to see him choosing Ireland over the United States.
What do you think of Doyle's situation? Disappointed that he hasn't made a decision yet? Confident he'll pick the United States?
Share your thoughts below.
Diskerud and Jones is correct, but Burn-Boo-Ree went settled in MN when he was still fairly young and went to high school out here.
In fairness, he is American and he’s also Irish. He holds dual citizenship. He was born and raised here, that makes him American. In addition, one of his parents was born in Ireland, which gives him automatic Irish Citizenship when he was born!
My personal take on these situations is… that if the country you were born in calls you up, you should play for them, before you play for the country you are dualed with. It only make sense. e.g. Rossi should be playing for the US.
Precisely. The USA is more likely to be in the World Cup finals, but that doesn’t mean Doyle would be more likely to play in a finals with the USA. My guess is that his reasoning in wanting to feel out the Irish program is to get an idea of where he’s more likely to feature. If he sees that he’s going to get real PT with Ireland, he should seriously consider that option.
I though Irish hate anything American. lol
plus, you can’t forget the fact that the irish team is much more revered in ireland than usmnt is here. of course i hope he picks america, but just being honest.
in fairness, the opposite can be said about diskerud, jones, and bunbury, and to a lesser extent, people like najar and mwanga.
+ 2
🙂
i would disagree actually. not sure why, but when i watched him play i really liked his style. The way he was passing/laying off, if those were going to donovan or demps it could make for a potent offense
Do we? Look at it this way maybe he feels that he could get capped with the US but never have a real chance at the WC.
His chances of starting for Ireland in the future might be better than the US…their core of strikers is getting old
It does seem to me that nationality requirements need to be tightened up a bit. What I wouldn’t want is the World Cup teams starting to feel like just “rooting for laundry” (to quote Seinfeld), or pure career decisions determining who plays for what country. The standard should be does the player’s heart beat for the jersey, but of course that’s unenforceable. I never felt any animosity about Rossi because it seemed his heart was with Italy. I know Jones is an example going the other way that I was unsure about, it seemed like the US was his second choice after the reality set in that he wouldn’t see the field for Germany. I was secretly ok with the fact that his injury situation prevented him from participating in 2010, but I’m also ok with him playing now, since he’ll be in the program for a while. Not sure how to tweak the requirements, not sure if I couldn’t be persuaded to think differently or if my point is valid at all, but I do think there are too many “committed or not committed” discussions concerning the US team for my taste. Not that my taste matters, I know it’s the reality. Perhaps it’s the nature of our country.
Joe Lapira wouldn’t have been able to play for the US anyway.
Well, so much for love of country.
Who cares. Play for whoever will help your career, help you make the most money, help you grow your personal brand. Who needs all that patriotism crap.
Tough call. How is Ireland looking for forward prospects around his age? 10 years ago this kid would be the future of USA soccer…
He is american and not irish, so of course he should choose the usa.
As many above said, I have no doubt that he’s hedging his bets in case he doesn’t make the U-20 squad. Let the chips fall where they may, i.e. if Rongen picks him, then I guess he’s good enough (or at least Rongen thinks so, for what that’s worth); if not, then he will (and probably should) go play for Ireland. In an ideal world, we don’t lose any players with potential. But isn’t it great that we now seem to be in a situation where we’re loaded with young talent. We are a legitimate top 10 team in the world come 2018. I said it, and I actually believe it.
but to further his career he should look into Ireland. If he can play well internationally (europe) he has a better chance of earning more $$$. But if he wants to play in a World Cup than he plays for the US.
Zakuani is still eligible to play for the US and says he is essentially back at square one in terms of his national team future. Please, be informed.
Not as crazy as picking the US or say… Italy would be.
How can you say that Ireland and NI are horrible? Ireland almost qualified for SA and are performing quite well in Euro qualifying. NI isnt great but they are definitely a legitimate team, especially considering the size and population of their country.
We should hope to attain the services of anyone who wants to play for the Red White and Blue.
I like this kid, and I want him in our colors. But if his future is better going with Ireland, God bless him.
Honestly I think Bunbury’s USA choice may be a short term gain, long term loss. We have a huge forward pool and he seems not as skilled as some of the guys coming up. He could have been a career long hero for Canada. Time will tell.
I have no problem with him trying out the Irish National set up. Would like to think the US system matches up favorably, and that he will chose the US over Ireland. If by chance he does chose the Irish I believe the USNT will be fine come 2014/2018 with Jozy, Teal, Juan, Wood, and some of the other young up and coming strikers. That said I’d still prefer to have him in our player pool than Ireland’s.
I agree with the person above who said it’s fair for him to keep his options open for his career; he’s also speaking to an Irish newspaper and has Irish family so it’s not like he’s going to shut the door. I’m sure his heart is with America and is his first choice.
Everyone is nitpicking the Rossi thing but the gist of this comment is absolutely correct.
Do I hope Doyle chooses the US? Yes, of course.
But we’re deep enough that we won’t miss him. And the only way he’d choose Ireland over the US is if he wasn’t named to Rongen’s U20 WC roster.
+1
Maybe he sees the writing on the wall… don’t forget they have the Euros there. Not that Ireland’s a powerhouse, but with the right squad they can makes some surprises. Less competition on the Irish squad maybe
simple answer. CANADA. Nuff said.
Ooooohh c’mon! You mean those years he spent playing with Szetela in Clifton don’t for anything?! C’monnnnn! 😉
I bet you’ve never heard of Jack McBean outside of Ives’ post… You’re gonna talk about McBean but not Wood or Gyau, guys who have actually started to prove something with the U20’s? And by the way, Zakuani already declared for the Congo. Please, be informed.
Zahavi on MLSSoccer.com:
“I’m pretty sure that I want to go forward,” he said. “I’m very happy with the US squad. I like the coaching staff and it feels right. The decision’s not 100 percent made, but I’m leaning forward toward playing with the US.”
I’d say it’s kind of a stretch to saw the US “produced” Rossi (I assume you mean Rossi, Subotic, and Hoyos). He was in the Parma setup since he was a teen and never played on a US youth team. He’s very much an Italian product.
McBean? Seriously? Spend a lot of time scouting youth players in Newport Beach do ya? You must have because you can’t really be over-hyping a player that less than 2% of people who are fanatical about US soccer have seen, right?… Stop it already.
For what it’s worth, Rossi entered Parma’s youth setup at 12. There wasn’t much development in the US.
exactly! my thoughts are some players spots are not as ‘guaranteed’ as they thought they would be.
loving the competition even it it means we lose a dual national or two
you got Bunbury…do you really need another forward…with Altidore still being young, Aguedlo coming up, possibly someday maybe seeing Zakuani (very, very small chance now) or Mwanga, Salgado plus on the horizon you got Gustavo Rueles, Jack McInerney and Jack McBean…I am still trying to figure out how Bunbury thinks he will be playing at a world cup…
what’d zahavi say? I must have missed it.
Irish Rossi? Come on now man the guy hasn’t played anywhere for 2 years. Last I heard he was trying to play in India.
*isn’t certain.
First Zahavi expresses uncertainty. Now Doyle. I think these are the reactions of a kids who know that their place on the U20 squad is certain. This is how impressive our team is. Doyle knows that he has to find a place on the squad with Agudelo, Wood, Salgado, and Ruelas all competing.
Not gonna worry about this too much. Gone are the days that the US needs to grovel for youth players who are at Doyle’s level. The US produced 2 (3 if you want to include Hoyos) almost world class players who now play for other countries. Those kids have been playing top division soccer since they were younger than Doyle. Those are the types we need to fight hard for.
Joe Lapira isn’t very good…
Plus Ireland might make the World Cup next time since by then Thierry Henry will be retired.
Too soon?
Well if he played left back, I would say “Don’t let him go”, but really, does he have a chance to break into the USMNT for any meaningful games?
Playing for the US and patriotic pride is one thing and while the depth of US strikers is not real deep, he has to get over Bunbury and Agudelo, to get even to Altidore or Buddle, the later, veterans of WC play and will be around for a while.
He has a better chance of making the lineups in Ireland than the US and would probably get a spot on the team for the UEFA matches this next year.
Hopefully he will not follow in the footsteps of the Irish Rossi, Joe Lapira.
I have no problem with him exploring all his options then making a rational decision, but obviously I want him to play for the U.S.A
Just look at this potential attacking 3:
Doyle–Altidore/Bunbury–Agudelo
would be a awesome
NI is terrible its so bad that most of the youth players are switching their allegiance to Ireland and playing for them.
USA gives him a better chance to play in a World Cup at all levels.
He and his family must know this.
He is a idiot if he picks Ireland over USA. Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are horrible. Actually he has three options to play for USA, Republic of Ireland, or Northern Ireland. He can choose to play for Northern Ireland or Republic of Ireland if he wanted to choose Ireland.
If it’s not going to cap tie him I see nothing wrong with it.
It’s fair for him to want to experience both squads to see which is a better fit.