By DAN KARELL
After coming to a mutual agreement with U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Jurgen Klinsmann to stay off the squad for the November friendlies, the Bayern Munich youngster has agreed to join up with the Germany Under-19 squad for the same duration.
Green is included on the Germany U-19 roster for two friendlies against their French counterparts on Nov. 13 and 16, during a ten day camp in France. The 18-year-old is one of two attackers on the roster and is looking to make his sixth and seventh appearances for the German U-19 team since joining them this past summer.
Originally, it looked as though Green would join the USMNT between November 11-20 to train and become better acquainted with the coaching staff after reports emerged that Klinsmann had invited the German-American to join the squad in Scotland and Austria.
Green would only have been able to train because he played for Germany in an official FIFA competition, when he participated in UEFA U-19 Championship qualifying last month. To play for the U.S., he would have to file a one-time switch with FIFA.
Due to pressure from the heightened media scrutiny and the young age of Green, the two parties agreed that Green would be left off the U.S. roster that is yet to be announced, leaving him free to join up with the Germany U-19s once more. As he’s already eligible to play for Germany, joining them for a camp doesn’t change his current international situation in terms of potentially playing for either the USMNT or Germany.
The Tampa, Fla. native has had a red-hot start to the 2013/2014 season with Bayern Munich’s U-23s in the fourth division of German soccer, the Regionalliga. Through 16 games, he’s scored 15 goals and added one assist, though he missed a penalty kick in the second half of Bayern II’s 4-3 victory over Würzburger Kickers last Saturday.
Also joining Green on the Germany U-19 squad is Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry, FC Schalke starter Max Meyer, and promising Hertha Berlin midfielder Hany Mukhtar.
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What do you think of this news? Surprised that he is joining the U-19s for two friendly matches? Worried that Green won’t train with the U.S. anytime soon? Did you expect Green to stay with Bayern during the international break?
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