Bruce Arena clarifies stance on dual-nationals - USA

by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

Bruce Arena leaned on his past record of including foreign-born players into the US Men’s National Team to respond to criticisms of past comments.

During his introductory conference call Tuesday afternoon, Arena distanced himself from comments made three years ago where he said the National Team should not be comprised with foreign-born players.

“If I made those comments, I certainly don’t believe that that’s my attitude,” Arena said referencing an interview he gave to ESPN the Magazine in 2013.

Arena pointed to his first stint as U.S. head coach for evidence that foreign-born players can become key parts of his team. He specially referred to Earnie Stewart as a figure from his first stint in charge of the National Team. Out of 36 possible selections over two World Cups, Arena named six foreign-born players to his squad.

He said if anybody held an American passport would be eligible to play for the team and he would consider them.

“I just want to make sure their heart’s in the right place and when they put the U.S. jersey on, they’re playing for that crest on the shirt,” Arena said. “I have a great passion for the National Team and I expect the same from our players.”

There were five foreign-born players on the National Team’s roster for the World Cup Qualifying last week. Arena, who described himself as a  ‘player’s coach,’ said he would be looking forward to working with those players. Both he and US Soccer President Sunil Gulati confirmed that there will be a January camp predominantly featuring domestic-based players.

Gulati said he discussed dual-national players with Arena ‘within the last 24 hours.’

“I want to re-iterate his views have been and what mine are,” Gulati said. “If you’re eligible to play for the United States National Team, you’re available for selection. After that, the coach makes those decisions. We are open to anyone whether they’re born abroad or born here.”

Gulati said that Arena’s comments in 2013 were not meant to criticize the composition of the National Team but as an evaluation of US Soccer’s development programs. Gulati said foreign-born players can be attached to the National Team and will be eligible to be included. He rejected any idea of preferential treatment for or against those players.

“A player like Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson is different than some younger players or some who were born here,” Gulati said. “They’re both eligible to play for us, there’s no thought pattern that one has over the other as long as they’re committed to the National Team which Bruce has emphasized and re-emphasized.”

Arena’s sole priority will be getting the U.S. into the 2018 World Cup, Gulati said. Bigger picture items such as development and recruitment of dual-national players will be reserved for the Technical Director which Gulati said he’ll revisit in the coming weeks and months. Those responsibilities may fall on current Youth Technical Director Tab Ramos, who is already highly regarded by US Soccer and who Gulati pointed out holds similar responsibilities.

Arena said he is very familiar with the players in the National Team pool. He said he plans to connect with the entire group of players during the coming weeks and months whether at the January camp or through direct contact. He said there could be changes to who is included in the National Team but nothing radical.

“It’s highly unlikely that we’re going to bring new players into the program,” Arena said. “We’re at a time right now where we need to get results. We need to have a team that’s ready to go in March.”