tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post7668231871110325586..comments2023-11-05T03:31:19.545-08:00Comments on Sideline Views: Americans in MexicoA.C.http://www.blogger.com/profile/03617669285297119500noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-78495459321944320382008-04-04T08:27:00.000-07:002008-04-04T08:27:00.000-07:00I suppose it depends on why someone follows Americ...I suppose it depends on why someone follows Americans playing abroad. If it's for USMNT reasons, then obviously someone like Edgar Castillo wouldn't be of much interest. But if it's because the players were born here in the United States, then national team preference doesn't matter.<BR/><BR/>I've talked to both Castillo, Michael Orozco and Sonny Guadarrama. All three said they'd like to play in MLS someday. With that in mind, then, it may be good to keep tabs on these players since they may be MLS players in the near future.L.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03932409909043501781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-3996376853784423992008-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:002008-04-04T06:21:00.000-07:00The double nationality (or U.S. birth) raises anot...The double nationality (or U.S. birth) raises another question -- the Yanks Abroad section at BigSoccer has had long-running debates over who is and who isn't a YA based on national team preference. Remember Espen Baardsen? U.S.-born Premier League goalkeeper, but he picked Norway and never drew much YA attention. The interest in Rossi has faded as it becomes more apparent that he prefers Italy.<BR/><BR/>Brad Friedel even draws less attention these days, surely in part because he has retired from the Nats.<BR/><BR/>That's not to say any of these guys are totally ignored, but the interest is just a little less than it is in, say, Bobby Convey.bdurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17568360697184873268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-31045405970094647102008-04-04T03:03:00.000-07:002008-04-04T03:03:00.000-07:00Uhhhhhh.....just because a player choses to repres...Uhhhhhh.....just because a player choses to represent another country, doesn't make him less American.<BR/>Same as, if I served on the French Foreign Legion, I would not cease to be American.<BR/><BR/>Also, the USA allows double nationality.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-65959825803174702662008-04-03T21:59:00.000-07:002008-04-03T21:59:00.000-07:00On that theory Michael Parkhurst playing in the UK...On that theory Michael Parkhurst playing in the UK would not be considered a Yank Abroad because he is British right? I mean the point is Americans playing outstide the US. Specially Americans decidated to playing for the US but playing in leagues outside the US. Saying they are Mexicans playing in Mexico totally misses the point. They are American citizens and were born and most were raised here. Funny Zat Whitebread and Quntin Westberg are two guys who have never really lived in the US yet they are considered Yanks Abroad because they pledge to play for the US. But a guy born and or raised in the US is not considered a Yank Abroad because he is a Mexican American playing in Mexico? Shit man if he wants to play for the US to me he's a Yank Abroad plain and simply. If he ids as being an American but plays abroad thats not so bad either.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-39396875999150663492008-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:002008-04-03T20:41:00.000-07:00The problem is that all those guys clearly have Me...The problem is that all those guys clearly have Mexican names. Mexicans playing in Mexico don't count ... as Yanks or as playing aboad.<BR/><BR/>My theory could be wrong, but I don't think so.Soledadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16663148393282261906noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-84194264547948838152008-04-03T18:48:00.000-07:002008-04-03T18:48:00.000-07:00Didn't mean to make it sound like you were attacki...Didn't mean to make it sound like you were attacking YA I believe I called out several other sites that ignore Americans playing in Mexico or Latin America. YA has covered Hernedez when he was at Necaxa at they did an article on him and they did a piece on someone playing in Chile one time but that really it. They just dropped all that and focused stricly on Europe. If you can get someone to cover people in Austria, Denmark, Belgium, Norway, and Sweden surely you can get someone to cover Mexico. I mean come on we have millions of Mexican Americans and plenty more Americans who can speak enough spanish to cover the MFL.<BR/><BR/>Now I would love a blog that cover the MFL in English. I watch a lot of games on Univision, Azetca, and Telefutra but I don't understand Spanish. It would be great if a blogger made that his/hers blog passion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-18244280685735060142008-04-03T15:33:00.000-07:002008-04-03T15:33:00.000-07:00Hey Luis and AC,I agree with a lot of what you've ...Hey Luis and AC,<BR/><BR/>I agree with a lot of what you've written. However, for me, if the player wants to represent another country (like Rossi and Castillo) my interest in them is nil. I want to know about the guys who might help out the USNT.<BR/><BR/>I will now follow Orozco with interest (just wish he were an attacker making waves in the Mexican League--wouldn't that be something?).Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11042626773264173758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-22262831967073999312008-04-03T12:51:00.000-07:002008-04-03T12:51:00.000-07:00There's actually a pretty dedicated cadre of "Yank...There's actually a pretty dedicated cadre of "Yanks Abroad" hunters (go to BigSoccer and you'll find a dedicated group of guys tracking the rumored progress of Americans at fourth-division Italian sides), but most of them seem to be Europhiles.<BR/><BR/>Maybe Luis wasn't taking a swipe at Yanks Abroad (the website), but I will. It drives me batty that site calls itself "Yanks Abroad" but its slogan is "European Soccer Made in America." Either it's Yanks Abroad or its Yanks in Europe. Either is cool, but they should pick one.<BR/><BR/>Also, I can't help but wonder if there's an element of racism involved. (Not for everybody, of course. Not for the majority, in fact.) Still. If people are only concerned about Americans playing in the top foreign leagues, that's fine. Cover Europe only. But when you've got people looking at Norway and ignoring Mexico, something odd is going on. And it's surely not that Norwegian is easier to learn than Spanish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-81249865278494715732008-04-03T07:47:00.000-07:002008-04-03T07:47:00.000-07:00Years ago, various "Yanks Abroad" attempts tracked...Years ago, various "Yanks Abroad" attempts tracked down every guy playing anywhere. Jonny Walker was a relative celebrity in those days.<BR/><BR/>But there were fewer players with big European clubs in those days. If you kept up with Keller at Millwall and argued Friedel's work-permit case, you had most of it covered.<BR/><BR/>My guess is that, over time, the sheer number of Americans in the EPL just took over the field of inquiry. I don't even hear much about Steve Cherundolo in the Bundesliga, much less Josh Wolff and company. I hear about players in Scandinavia, but I think that's because people are still a little puzzled that Americans would leave MLS to go there.bdurehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17568360697184873268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-15850727089993673382008-04-03T07:46:00.000-07:002008-04-03T07:46:00.000-07:00actually if you watch american soccer in gol tv yo...actually if you watch american soccer in gol tv you will see they do talk about the americans playing in mexico and south america. Its in their yanks abroad section towards the end of the show but you are right in the internet you dont really see to much coverage of of yanks abroad in mexico.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-14539853197372425122008-04-03T07:20:00.000-07:002008-04-03T07:20:00.000-07:00What is with Padilla lying about being an American...What is with Padilla lying about being an American. Since when is being an American a bad thing. I know Americans probably have a harder time breaking into team like Chivas, but I would love to see more young americans like Orozco who are proud of being American and not feeling the need to hide it. I don't care if they decide to play for El Tri like catillo, just don't be afraid or ashamed of your roots!!! we don't tell Mexican youth to feel ashmed or to hide where they were born. Double standard. I would emphatically boo padilla on principle every time he stepped on the field at Toyota Park!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-51322232207552084912008-04-03T07:02:00.000-07:002008-04-03T07:02:00.000-07:00People forget that its not always US players sayin...People forget that its not always US players saying no to playing in Mexico, how many foreign players play for Chivas in Mexico? The league loves to develop Mexican talent and are not welcoming to most Americans. Look at the pay difference, I bet a whole bunch of US players would want to be making their yearly MLS salary in one month in Mexico. I would rather play in the EPL or La Liga, of course, but lets not forget that Mexico would turn down most Americans just because they are not Mexican.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-43798199799476433872008-04-03T06:05:00.000-07:002008-04-03T06:05:00.000-07:00My attack on Yanks Abroad wasn't really meant as a...My attack on Yanks Abroad wasn't really meant as an attack any specific web site but rather the phrase itself.L.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03932409909043501781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-43528098582716674262008-04-03T05:55:00.000-07:002008-04-03T05:55:00.000-07:00I agree...I would say go a step beyond, and includ...I agree...I would say go a step beyond, and include the South American countries as well. I am sure there are americans in Brazil and Argentina, as well as others that we do not know about...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-24070773334720404022008-04-03T05:54:00.000-07:002008-04-03T05:54:00.000-07:00East River:I don't think YA sold you a "European S...East River:<BR/><BR/>I don't think YA sold you a "European Soccer Made in Europe"; if they did, I'd like one, too, so it may join my stupid t-shirt collection.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-69632841798191122302008-04-03T05:51:00.000-07:002008-04-03T05:51:00.000-07:00You've certainly identified an area that could use...You've certainly identified an area that could use more light shined it's way. Weekly updates please! Seriously though, more info on gringos in Mexico, less ranting on what a website / bigsoccer board decides to call themselves.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-17723512698833490172008-04-03T04:48:00.000-07:002008-04-03T04:48:00.000-07:00I don't think Yanks Abroad makes it a secret that ...I don't think Yanks Abroad makes it a secret that they cover Yanks in Europe. I own a YA shirt from their website and in small letters it says on the front "European Soccer made in Europe." <BR/><BR/>But I would love for a blog any blog to cover the Americans playing in Mexico or any Latin American league. We have had several players playing in the Chilean league but that doesn't get covered either. An its not just YA who ignores them its US Soccer Players or Soccer by Ives even the US Soccer Global blog ignores reports on internationls in Mexico. Tuesday was the first time I had even heard of the Torres guy.<BR/><BR/>As far Papa Bear's statement, the US pretty much had to allow Americans to do dual citizenship so as not to loose all that tax money. Not an expert on all that but the US just had to change be more flexible on the subject.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-70350600586601941072008-04-03T03:48:00.000-07:002008-04-03T03:48:00.000-07:00"Anyway, I don't know where along the line Mexico ..."Anyway, I don't know where along the line Mexico stopped being considered a foreign country."<BR/><BR/>About the same time the border went largely ignored. I don't mean that as controversially as it may sound, but the bulk of the soccer media is in California and there is a certian laissez faire attitiude towards that deliniation of the two countries. <BR/><BR/>A few weeks ago I refered to Blanco as having international appeal and was pretty roundly told that 'Mexico doesn't count' so the point remains...<BR/><BR/>P.S. Castillo plays for El Tri, no longer an American in footballer terms. Sorry. (also if the US stood by their own policies his citizenship would be revoked for taking another passport; that is technically the law but is rarely enforced)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-64497751438091200962008-04-02T22:51:00.000-07:002008-04-02T22:51:00.000-07:00Sorry, but I only make bets I have a chance of win...Sorry, but I only make bets I have a chance of winning :)L.B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/03932409909043501781noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-7131298628830687022008-04-02T22:46:00.000-07:002008-04-02T22:46:00.000-07:00Luis, Andrea, are you guys up for a bet? I have $...Luis, Andrea, are you guys up for a bet? I have $5 for each says that Jesus Padilla gets silently dropped from the team at the end of the season, sent to el Tapatio or "loaned" to Chivas USA to "acquire more experience"The Hammerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07073632764723130030noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-56234561097250345072008-04-02T22:10:00.000-07:002008-04-02T22:10:00.000-07:00Luis,Good post. I was certainly in the group surp...Luis,<BR/><BR/>Good post. I was certainly in the group surprised to learn that Orozco played in Mexican First Division. I am not sure why Yanks Abroad reports typically cover players in Europe. We can speculate on cultural biases, but I don’t know the people that provide the YA coverage and don’t think it is fair to do so without speaking with them. To be clear, I do not think your post insinuates anything about the values of the people providing YA coverage. <BR/><BR/>Personally, I care more about players that are interested in representing the United States like Michael Orozco than players that just happened to be born here like Giuseppe Rossi. That is not meant to denigrate Rossi. His parents are from Italy and he identifies more with the Italian way of life. That is okay. The nice thing about this country is that you are free to choose. <BR/><BR/>I welcome further coverage of US players in Mexico. I think most US Soccer fans feel the same way. I tried to keep this brief, so I hope my intent was clear. Again, good post and I enjoy the blog.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07212243503674669779noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5437561489188679737.post-54745487740320441882008-04-02T21:55:00.000-07:002008-04-02T21:55:00.000-07:00Great write up LB. I think it's just a function of...Great write up LB. I think it's just a function of prestige. Mexico's place in the eyes of the American is no secret.<BR/><BR/>Funny how there's always been an USMNT bias towards Mexican-American talent as well. I can't really remember anyone besides Orozco even being in the player pool. There's so much talent bouncing around in California it's sad. <BR/><BR/>I wish Coast Soccer League was more accessible or there was better scouting in the leagues not integrated into the USSF system (like in LA). The benefits would be enormous, but hopefully it's only a matter of time.nothingtoseeherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17859386598326449374noreply@blogger.com