EPJr
September 3rd, 2009, 11:11 AM
http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/mediaUS/20090506/Jones_Jermaine_200.jpghttp://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/design05/mediaUS/20090715/castillo_edgar2_200.jpg
When U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley revealed his roster for this coming weekend's crucial World Cup qualifier against El Salvador, some observers were quicker to notice a pair of omissions than any of the names actually on the list.
No Jermaine Jones? No Edgar Castillo? When, many wondered, will Bradley call in the two newest additions to the American player pool?
While only Bradley himself will be able to answer that question in the long run, for the time being, the coach's hands are tied. As he was choosing his team for the El Salvador game and the match with Trinidad and Tobago four days later, Jones and Castillo were still ineligible to play for the United States.
Both dual-nationals announced they would switch their international soccer allegiance to the U.S. after a FIFA ruling in June opened that door for players of any age not cap-tied at the full international level. But FIFA still must approve each change. The paperwork of both Jones and Castillo is still sitting on some bureaucrat's desk in Switzerland. Exactly when either might be given the stamp of approval is anyone's guess.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=672338&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901
When U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley revealed his roster for this coming weekend's crucial World Cup qualifier against El Salvador, some observers were quicker to notice a pair of omissions than any of the names actually on the list.
No Jermaine Jones? No Edgar Castillo? When, many wondered, will Bradley call in the two newest additions to the American player pool?
While only Bradley himself will be able to answer that question in the long run, for the time being, the coach's hands are tied. As he was choosing his team for the El Salvador game and the match with Trinidad and Tobago four days later, Jones and Castillo were still ineligible to play for the United States.
Both dual-nationals announced they would switch their international soccer allegiance to the U.S. after a FIFA ruling in June opened that door for players of any age not cap-tied at the full international level. But FIFA still must approve each change. The paperwork of both Jones and Castillo is still sitting on some bureaucrat's desk in Switzerland. Exactly when either might be given the stamp of approval is anyone's guess.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=672338&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901