re: Jermaine Jones switches from German to US Mens National Team

He played in the 1998 World Cup, where everyone sucked besides Frankie. I think Regis was probably the best option at left back seeing as Agoos was the previous (and subsequent ) starter.

Unlike Dooley, Stewart, and Jones, who are all the children of American servicemen, Regis just married an American chick. However, I don't think Stewart and Jones have any real relationship with the American side of their family and speak English with the same fluency as the typical German or Dutch citizen.

Jones will be given the chance to play, someone of his quality doesn't make this switch without some type of assurance. Here is a quote from him in a German newspaper where he says Michael Bradley talked to him about playing for the US.

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"In our game with Gladbach Michael Bradley approached me and asked if I would like to play for the U.S.. I told him that I would be very happy to do so. Actually, I had thought that because of my U21 appearances it was no longer possible. But with the new Fifa rule, I know that a change is now possible, "said Jones.

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I love Pablo. He was one of our best players for a long time and I loved his style of play, very underrated. that said, he has a fork sticking out of his back. I'd hate for him to become the next Claudion Reyna, playing well past his expiration date until he is just killing the USMT.

Considering the US was hurt by Rossi playing for Italy, I'm okay with Jones playing for us.

But the USMT is in serious trouble. I really liked the recent espn.com piece about the stagnation on the team.

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I love Pablo. He was one of our best players for a long time and I loved his style of play, very underrated. that said, he has a fork sticking out of his back. I'd hate for him to become the next Claudion Reyna, playing well past his expiration date until he is just killing the USMT.

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Agreed. He was an unsung hero in 2002, but his play has definitely gone down in the past year or so, and the team needs to head in a new direction. I think Jones and Bradley could be a good combination in central midfield, to complement Donovan, Dempsey, and Altidore up front.

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Considering the US was hurt by Rossi playing for Italy, I'm okay with Jones playing for us.

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It's definitely ironic because Rossi is much more American than Jones.

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I really liked the recent espn.com piece about the stagnation on the team.

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LINK? Or are you talking about something else?

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However, I have hated how naturalized players have become so prevalent lately in international soccer.

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I know what you mean. Ever wonder why when you watch Honduras and Costa Rica play they are all black, but when you visit the actual country everybody looks spanish? It's because the team is all African.

Yeah we've got quite a few lads over seas. Which brings up a question of mine... do you think it is better for guys like Adu, and Altidore to remain in the states and play MLS? When you consider the total lack of playing time Altidore is getting (and say what you want about it, he isn't as sharp as he could be in the MNT games) I just think some of his best years of development are being wasted on a bench. What do you think?

ETA: I think it would be good if all our international stars would play on a shitty team like Wolverhampton. That way they build chemistry playing with one another, and develop against EPL quality competition. And they get playing time, because you can't tell me W'hampton's strikers are better than Jozy.

Most of the guys seem to be getting decent playing time in Europe. Unfortunately, Adu and Altidore are two huge exceptions. I just don't understand why teams would agree to take them on loan and then not play them. It's not as if they are setting behind world-class players on

I have no problem with them getting loaned out by Benfica and Villareal if they can't make the rotation for those teams, but I wish they would look for better fits when sending them out on loan, or at least coaches who have some record of developing young talent. Unfortunately, most coaches of second division and mediocre first division teams are morons who are comfortable just hacking their way to 0-0 draws instead of playing actual soccer.