Andrew Dixon - MIAMI, FL (Jan 13, 2009) USSoccerPlayers -- The Neven Subotic episode and to a lesser extent the loss of Edgar Castillo got me thinking about the players who weren't born here but proudly represented the United States. While other countries have used players born elsewhere (France, Netherlands, Jamaica, Mexico) the issue is a dual edged sword for American soccer.
The old school belief was that the US wasn't good enough to compete and had to get players from elsewhere, but we've had players who had been proud to represent the US to the fullest and we cheered them no matter where they came from.
Some of have become legends, others had some degree of success, and others you might not remember. So let's take a look at some of them.
OLD SCHOOL LEGENDS DIVISION
Hugo Perez
Winner of the first Honda Player of the Year and by many accounts, the most underrated player in the history of US Soccer, Perez finally got his due by being elected to the US Soccer Hall of Fame last year. Born in El Salvador, he came to the US at age 11 and after graduating high school began his career in the NASL with the Tampa Bay Rowdies before reestablishing himself with the San Diego Shockers of both the NASL and MISL.
He helped the US qualify for the 1984 Olympics and starting with his debut against Italy became a mainstay on the US National Team during the mid 1980's. Anyone who saw him play swore he was the most technically gifted player the US had and the closest thing the US has ever had to a pure #10. He played a key role in qualifying for the 1990 World Cup. In fact his away goal against El Salvador helped set the stage for Paul Calgiuri's heroics in Port Of Spain. His career took him to France, Sweden and Saudi Arabia. However, he was controversially left off the 1990 World Cup side due to an "injury" that is said to have cost him a chance to play in Italy with Parma.
Most of America's soccer consciousness began with the 1994 World Cup. By then Perez wasn't the same player. Though not as well known as some other players, his talent and worth can't be understated.
Earnie Stewart
Born in Holland to an American serviceman and a Dutch mother, Earnie Stewart was a mainstay on the US team through the 90's. When the US was establishing itself and gaining respect on the international stage, Earnie Stewart was there. 2002 World Cup? Scored in the Guerra Fria match, had that stunning goal from about 45 yards out away to Honduras and played a key role in the run to the quarterfinals. 1995 Copa America? Played every match. 1994 World Cup? Are you kidding me?
Used primarily as a speedy forward in the 1994 World Cup, the emergence of other players allowed him to move back to his natural midfield position and he provided great work on the wings, usually opposite Cobi Jones. No matter where he played, he brought international experience gained from playing all but two years of his career in Holland with teams such as NAC Breda and Willem II. One year in MLS, and he's got a championship ring.
His commitment to the US cause was never questioned and he should be a lock for the Hall of Fame.
Tabare Ramos
MAD SKILLS. The Uruguayan born Ramos moved with his family to New Jersey and set a New Jersey High School boy's soccer career scoring record of 161 goals, including 57 (!!!!) his senior year, picking National Player of the Year honors. Drafted by the Cosmos, he went to NC State and became an All-American. His professional career took him to Spain with clubs such as Real Betis and Mexico with Tigres before eventually signing with the Exit 16W Metrostars.
Ramos was one of the most skilled players in American soccer and was heavily relied upon during the early to mid 90's. Chosen as the 1990 US Soccer Athlete of the Year he continued to be a constant in the US' lineup, amassing 81 caps despite constant injuries and playing one of the first US players to appear in three World Cups.
As the US moved to a more possession oriented offense throughout the 90s, Ramos' ability and composure on the ball was key. His time in a US shirt will probably be most remembered for the pass to Earnie Stewart against Colombia in the 1994 World Cup and the wonder strike against Costa Rica in Portland in 1997, hopefully more so than that vicious elbow from Leonardo in the 1994 World Cup match against Brazil.
When Tab Ramos was healthy and had the ball on his feet, good things usually happened.
Thomas Dooley
Another 90's era veteran that helped stabilize the US lineup with his experience playing in the Bundesliga.
Born in Bechhofen, Germany to a German mother and an American serviceman, Dooley began his career in the German Third Division before eventually working his way up the ladder to Kaiserslauten where he was a German Cup and a Bundesliga title winner.
He accepted US citizenship in 1992, became an automatic choice in the defensive midfield and made an immediate impact. He scored in the US' 2-0 win over England and twice in the 4-3 loss to Germany a year later, winning US Soccer Athlete of the Year in the process. Played well in the 1994 World Cup and was instrumental as the US navigated its way through qualifying (remember him hitting the post in the Golden Point game at Azteca) and on to the 1998 World Cup.
Named captain after John Harkes was dropped, but the three and out in France couldn't really be blamed on any leadership deficiencies on his part. His European experience and consistency provided an air of legitimacy to the US lineup when they were trying to gain respect. Few people represented the US to the fullest the way he did and I was happy to be in the house for his final US match in 1999.
Joe Gaetjens
Didn't play long for the US and never became a citizen. Then again, when you are the lone goal scorer in the greatest upset in the history of the World Cup, you get legend status.
Born in Haiti, he came to the US to study accounting at Columbia, washing dishes to help pay his way. He played locally for Brookhattan of the American Soccer League and won a scoring title, gaining the attention of US Soccer officials. After stating his intention to become an American citizen (that's all that was needed at the time)he was named to the 1950 World Cup side.
Knowledgeable soccer fans know the rest. In the match against England, Gaetjens' diving header was the difference in the history making 1-0 upset by the US over England in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. After the match, Gaetjens was carried on the fans' shoulders.
Known for his passionate play on the field and laid back style off it, Gaetjens' played in France before moving back to Haiti and getting one cap with his native country. His family ran afoul of the Duvalier regime. Though Gaetjens himself was non-political, he paid the price for his family's support of an opposition candidate. He was arrested as a political prisoner and never seen again.
Gaetjens was also the first Black player to represent the United States and remained the only one to play in a World Cup until Jimmy Banks and Desmond Armstrong some 40 years later.
NUFF' RESPECT DIVISION
Robin Fraser
Arguably the greatest defender in MLS History (and should have been in MLS All-time Best XI), Robin Fraser's international career spanned 5 US coaches but he never got a consistent run (27 caps) until after the 1998 World Cup. The Kingston, Jamaica native anchored the US defense during its rise from the ashes in 1999 and helped the US finish 3rd in the Confederations Cup that year.
Injury kept him from representing the US in 1990, he wasn't on Bora's radar for '94, and the US was stacked at center back in '98. He was available to represent Jamaica but was never called in, even after offering his services in the run-in to the 1998 World Cup. But he was extremely proud to represent the US and called standing on the podium collecting his third place medal at the Confederations Cup the best moment of his international career.
Preki
I could talk about how the Yugoslavian born Preki appeared 28 times for the US after gaining citizenship in 1996. I could talk about his great dribbling ability honed especially during his time in the MISL. His cannon for a left foot that made him a dominant player in MLS for most of his career.
But for real, do I need to say anything else but "Gold Cup goal against Brazil?"
Didn't think so?
Ed McIlvenny
The Scottish born McIlvenny was only in the US for a very short time but when you captain the US to that 1-0 win over England (contrary to the movie version), you're on the list.
McIlvenny played in the lower divisions of English football and moved to Philadelphia in 1949. It was there that he teamed up with Walter Bahr of the ASL's Philadelphia Nationals, joining the 1950 World Cup squad after stating his intention to gain citizenship.
After the Cup he played in an All-Star game against Manchester United and was signed by Sir Matt Busby, but instead moved to Ireland to finish out his career.
David Regis
Controversial selection for the 1998 World Cup. After Jeff Agoos did the yeoman's work at left back, Regis gained citizenship through his American-born wife and supplanted Agoos for all three games in France.
The Martinique-born Regis was one of the few bright spots for the US in France and became constant on the US' backline during qualifying for the 2002 World Cup. He was always an attack minded defender and provided significant flank play (anyone remember him dusting a Mexican defender in the Guerra Fria match). But a couple of uninspired performances in the lead-in to Japan/Korea saw Frankie Hejduk take his spot.
What I remember most about him during that World Cup was that he didn't sulk, he didn't pout, and was in the middle of the celebrations when Landon Donovan finished off Mexico in the Round of 16.
THE "ABOUT THAT" DIVISION
Michael Mason
Mason's future with the US looked bright when he came on against Mexico at Foxboro in 1997 (2-2 draw) and looked dangerous down the flanks. However, he had little more than speed and and made his last appearance later that year after 5 matches. In fairness to Mason, he was playing for Hamburg in the German Bundesliga when the US came calling.
David Wagner
National Team coach Steve Sampson included Wagner in the run-up to the '98 World Cup in part because he was a club teammate of Thomas Dooley. Not bad thinking, but it might have been worth a scouting trip. Wagner appeared eight times for the US between 1996 and 1998, even started away games against Costa Rica and El Salvador but never scored (and never really looked like he would score).
Jeff Cunningham
I'll never figure this one out. There's a reason some people probably still pencil in Cunningham's name every time the US looks thin up top.
According to Robin Fraser, he feared this cat coming at him with the ball more than anyone. Strong, fast and skillful he could have been the first out and out striker the US had since Eric Wynalda who could create his own shot.
Cunningham had a cap with Jamaica before getting his US citizenship in 2001. Taking advantage of FIFA rules, he was allowed to represent the United States, eventually getting ten caps. The US wanted him, he wanted to be a part of the squad, and the result should have left both of them wondering what happened. I still do.
It's just One Grown Man's Opinion but he's too good to have made so little impact for the United States.
Andrew Dixon is a soccer writer based in Miami and a weekly columnist for USSoccerPlayers. Contact him at: golnoir@golnoir.net
