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Julian Gressel open to USMNT switch

German-born Julian Gressel would be open to a switch to represent the U.S. Men’s National Team.

In a Twitter Q & A with fans on Tuesday night, Gressel revealed that he would be open to switching nationalities to represent the USMNT if called upon. Born in Neustadt, Germany, Gressel has never represented Germany in his playing career, even for the youth national teams.

The 25-year-old has made 80 appearances for Atlanta United since being drafted No. 8 overall in the 2017 MLS SuperDraft. He was named the 2017 MLS Rookie of the Year and has scored 11 goals for the Five Stripes so far in his career.

Prior to his collegiate career at Providence College, Gressel played for TSV Neustadt/Aisch and Eintracht Bamberg in the German fifth and sixth tiers.

For Gressel to be a part of the USMNT player pool prior to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he would need to apply for U.S. citizenship, keep residence in the country until 2022, and make a switch from Germany to the U.S., should he become a citizen.

All of this remains a possibility, but Gressel’s answer proves he would be interested in playing for the USMNT going forward.

 

Comments

  1. If he works hard at it, he might be able to be eligible for WC22, but it is not a sure thing. It is also not a thing sure he would make the US squad if he were eligible.

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  2. I think we should be chasing every dual national we can find, with our struggles on the field, and then sort out on the field who is better than who. I think we need better players. I think the players in vogue need more motivation ie roster contests. Is he The Guy? He’d be marginal. But I say get him committed and then worry about that.

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  3. We went thru the green card and then citizenship process with my wife who is from Brazil. This time table is accurate. He could apply sometimes early 2022 but it takes about six to nine months from when the citizenship application is sent for your passport and to be sworn in. Possible it’s in time for 2022 WC which is late that year but he wouldn’t be in the run up to anything and would have to stay in the US that whole time. As GP says below we probably have better options anyway beginning to emerge with some of our youth by then but it’s nice to have some depth. I’m an ATL fan, he delivers an exceptional cross from RW.

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  4. Is it even feasible to get citizenship in three years? He would add some depth. We’re not particularly deep anywhere right now.

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  5. Good answer: “Most likely Yes because I love this country #USA”.

    Also, he went to Providence College, I don’t believe there is any such thing as the University of Providence.

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  6. He will become a Dom Dwyer, Kekutah Manneh, Teal Bunbury etc., who all seemed like the answer to the problems of the USMNT until they make the switch, and then…….

    Reply

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