FC Dallas defender George John will accompany the Greek national team for its friendly against Ecuador at Citi Field in New York on June 7.
John, 24, is a second-generation Greek-American, is eligible to represent both the United States and Greece and he is uncapped by both countries. An injury ruled out his participation in Bob Bradley's January training camp.
John is enjoying a strong season with FC Dallas and has been an integral part of the club's current run of five consecutive clean sheets. He will reportedly not be on Greece's roster for the match against Ecuador, but he will train with the team ahead of the friendly.
What do you think of John training with Greece? Do you think John is U.S.-national-team caliber? Worried that he might choose to play for Greece?
Share your thoughts below.
In a few years, John will be playing somewhere in Europe, not plying his trade here. Now that I think about it, that’s probably what this is about…. getting a little exposure over there as a way of laying a pipeline.
Guess I’m sorta shocked at the moment. John has always had very, very strong ties to the NW, he’s definitely an “American” in a cultural sense, and has even stated that he’d gladly return to the NW (Seattle, Portland, Vancouver) to play. So this feels like him leveraging the US to get off their butts and call him up. As stated, but for an injury, that would have already happened, so this all seems even stranger.
My question is this: How did the Helenic Fed even find out about him?
+1
George has Greek citizenship. His playing for Greece is no different than Chandler playing for the US. I got a dual citizenship for US and Italy in about 5 months. It’s about as easy as can be.
Is it ridiculous? yea pretty much.
Greece is also the #12 ranked national team in the world. (Not that Fifa rankings are worth much more than the paper they are printed on)
+ 97,492
not doubting him. I agree he should be in our camp. I was just saying that if for some reason he doesn’t pan out for the US i would still support him for Greece.
“and I don’t hate greece”
Made me laugh. Mexico can suck it.
than
American/Greek dual citizen here….
This guy is eligible to become a Greek citizen if he fills out the paperwork. His grandparents being natural born Greeks give him that eligibility. (I am only assuming that they are) Then he would be eligible to play for Greece. Many, many countries have rules like this. I know that Ireland is the same as well. Italy and Scotland are some others.
And to the guy who said that the U.S. team was waaaayy better than Greece…you could not be more wrong. Greece’s roster is far more accomplished than the US’s. I think if they played 10 times that Greece would win 5 or 6. Most of you were only exposed to Greece from the 2 world cups that they have played in. (Both disasters) In 94′ they sent older players as a reward for qualifying. They were starstruck by the likes of Maradona and being on the big stage for the first time. (See Serbia’s 2010 attempt) And in 2010 it was a tactical nightmare by the coach. He started a lifetime left back in the middle for the first game. Against Argentina he started 8 true defenders. I think Greece’s coach was still drunk off his 2004 Euro success. Besides those two debacles Greece has been 1st or 2nd in their qualifying groups with strong defense and timely goals.
My guess is that they are giving some regular players a break since the Greek league playoffs just ended 5 days ago and most of them need some rest. So, they call up some young players and give a few outsiders (like George) a chance to play themselves into the picture.
I actually can be serious and am serious about this. I was at that Slovenia game where he dodged the goal-bound ball. He is not the same player that he was during the Spain game, and his distribution from the back is terrible.
I would much rather us call-up a young player who is the best CB in the MLS right now than someone who isn’t playing well and hasn’t for the US in awhile.
Did you not notice the article today where Twente is no longer interested in his services? Just wait a couple years when George John is winning MLS defensive player of the year trophies and representing Greece while Gooch is in the MLS and not considered a top 5 CB due to his immobility and poor passing.
So if I strap on a kilt I can play for Scotland…because my mother’s family is Scottish? It should be where you hold citizenship and/or passports. Where you family lineage should have no bearing on it.
Because he’s not saying he’s more greek than american, he’s not playing in a competition and I don’t hate greece
I’ve been waiting for this day ever since those pictures of him in a greek orthodox outfit surfaced…this sucks
He will never be a major factor on our team? WTF? Who will then?
John is beast. He wins damn near every 50/50. He can keep ANY striker in the league in front of him AND he’s dangerous in the box with his head and both feet.
No other CB in our pool other than Goodson is more complete than him.
I am happy for George as a MLS player but should this guy really be allowed to play for Greece? His grandparents were born in Greece so he’s allowed to play for them? What is his citizenship? What is his passport? Seems ridiculous to me that this should be allowed to play for a country because his grandparents were born there…
John has gone under the radar in MLS for the last few years. It’s easy to argue that someone like Nat Borchers is also worthy of a call up for must win tournaments.
All the same US soccer should be concerned that Greece may be poaching an American player.
He looks like Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator.
It’s early. Center back is a tricky position to judge. Give a guy a good partner in the back and a good cover from his midfield, and lots of people look good. Lets not call this guy an all star yet.
Onyewu channels the decision making of a blindfolded teenage girl on the ball.
“did well in the Euro not too long ago”
Talk about an understatement.
Honestly, the current USA squad is stronger than the Greek squad, so I’m not overly concerned by the Greek interest on a young MLS player.
In any case, in today’s world this happens all the time in every country. At the end of the day, you can’t force someone to play for a country, it’s up to the player really.
The only relevant conclusion about this is that it demonstrates that the MLS is really getting better thanks as a result of the average talent from our youth pools getting stronger and more numerous.
And that the European Federations are looking in the US for our players that could go across the pond.
What happen to the trolls that bashed on ponce. I don’t see them saying the same to this guy.
This is a win, win situation and bodes well for MLS as well.
John gets to train and test himself with a WC caliber team. Making contacts with people who may one day help him get a better contract in Greece (or elsewhere)
Greece takes a flier on a kid who one day may be good enough and willing to play for them. Plus no risk since they are in the US anyway. And hey, the Greek team just had some good pub in a country full of Greek ex pats.
MLS looks better for it. One of the baby steps toward gaining stature.
Doesn’t matter…Bradley will find a way to lose him to Greece sooner or later.
This kid is good. I hate his stares and psycho looks but I saw him live this week as he with the rock solid defense of Dallas stop my Sounders cold. He is growing in the field and this should be a heads up to the USMNT and Robo-Bob!
This will not be good for my MFLS fantasy team. Dallas might start leaking goals without him.
I believe the goal right now is to win the gold cup. If you believe that John is a better player than Gooch today, then I guess we just disagree on the caliber of these two players.
If all we are thinking about is 2014, I understand the argument of bringing John over Gooch. But the goal of the team called in is to win the Gold Cup. Not to bring players along or give playing time to those who maybe, might have a career with the US MNT in three years. Gooch is the better player right now and I am not sure how you can argue otherwise.
i refrained from naming names, but yes
John has been exceptional for FC Dallas this year. He’s big and strong (two things you really can’t teach) and has just enough athleticism to keep up with the quicker forwards in the league.
I think he’s on par with Omar Gonzalez at this point in his career and if he continues to develop at the rate he’s going he could certainly make an impact on the national team. With that said, there are a lot of young center backs with potential that could end up relegating him to a career of B-team January friendlies: Opara, Gonzalez, Ream, Agbossoumonde.
It wouldn’t have made sense to call him up for the Gold Cup since these are very important matches for the US where you shouldn’t really be testing out new players. Maybe if he played in January we could be seeing him out there now. Instead he goes to Greece’s camp where there is slightly less pressure as that camp is only for a friendly.
A few people have made a comparison of John with Gooch. I will say that John projects to be a similar type of big, hulking center back with less than ideal quickness. I think John could be a better passer than Gooch. I would say that wanting John on the squad over Gooch is crazy tough. Gooch has sooooo much valuable experience that he should be on the squad. With that said, he shouldn’t be automatic first choice as he’s looked less than sharp in his last few US matches. Gooch is definitely at a career-cross roads.
I seriously would rather have him than gooch. Gooch is not the same as pre injury, and if he isn’t at this point than there is only one direction he is headed.
F**king traitor! Jk
Hahaha tight butthole
ya, the greatest american soccer player ever plays for italy…Guisseppi Rossi born and raised in New Jeeerrsay
Great assumption. You are spot on to conclude that because one country will grant a person citizenship because his grandparents are Greek, then basically every other country will do the same.
it’s obvious that John’s on BB’s radar since he was called up for the training camp and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him soon for the MNT
And by Olivia I meant Olympia . . . .
You can’t be serious that you would rather have this guy than gooch? Sure I would rather have John in the US pool than with Greece, and maybe one day he will pan out to be a US contributer, but to say you would rather have him than gooch is insanity.
Take your potato launcher and go home Topher, I do not want to go the the Penthouse penthouse with you…
Nice to see MLS grooming players of enough quality to train with a Euroteam that qualified for the WC and did well in the Euro not too long ago.
Olivia was invited for a trial with the national team, but turned it down to do a lifetime movie
In your attempt to belittle George John, you’re only showing you haven’t been paying attention.
2nd generation meaning his grandparents were Greeks who came to the USA? I imagine Michael Dukakis could also have played for their NT.
yet you care enough to post, hmmm
George who?
Second-generation?! so I’m assuming this means anyone can basically play for any national team.
What a lame cop-out, I guess it’s good I don’t care for whom George Whatshisface plays.
This is interesting and seemingly out nowhere. As a US fan, if he is never going to be a major factor on our team, I would support him fully on greece. He is still american, and came fully thru our system. I do think he has a future with the US if he waits. I agree with the above post, would have much rather had him than gooch.
Regarding our “luck” on international switches, recently we benefitted with jones and chandler…in the prior years we are still on the losing side though.
He’s certainly up and coming and it’s a great testament to his skillset that the Greeks have invited him. The fact that he wasn’t included in their roster means they want to see how he can compete before moving forward.
I don’t watch enough Dallas games to know what his potential is but from what I’ve seen, I’d like him to join us. But if all we’re going to do is cap tie guys and not play them, let Greece have him.
I think it is fantastic for George John to be given this type of experience, it can only further his career. How long should John wait for a US call-up if he can get one with the Greek national team? I am curious as to what many of US fans think of this especially after some of the luck the US national team has had with certain players switching allegiances to the US. This is interesting . . .
Not good news. I would rather have had him called up then Gooch….