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To the first point, you have to assume that Stalteri would be good enough to crack the German or Italian roster, which he clearly isn't.
And really, its the other way around as far as elevating play/growth.
Owen got his break through the network of Calgary soccer contacts at 15 to get him a try out, like about 5 or 6 others I know through the same contact, and made the most of it with Bayern, obviously...and was willing to committ etc etc. Even then he still had to make the most of the situation there, and he did.
To be fair, once the Germans got a hold of him, they turned him into the English International he is, as, having had known the family for over 20 years (not that well, but enough to say hi and have a conversation, his brother played with me, his did was an assisants with us for a few years too), he, growing up and playing, he was good, but was not leaps and bounds above others his age in the city, or province, even some of those who also went over to try out for various vlubs in Europe at the same time. He was in the right place, at the right time, and made the most of it.
If he decided way back then to come back home instead of staying in Munich, or going to England and trying out for some lower Premiership team back when, there's no way he would've ended up a) As good, and a result b)On the English national team, meaning maybe c) he would've been on Canada.
As for the argument about not playing for Canada, I have no issue with it...having been in the system in my mid teens briefly, the politics over the past 15 (longer) years bogs down any real proper recruting unless your playing in Toronto or maybe Vancouver. He (and lots of others that I knew and played with who were as good and deserved to be there) wasn't on anyone in Canada Soccer's radar prior to the time he stuck for a few years at Bayern.
They did try and cap him after that, but by then his play (and growth through learning) in Germany had unlocked other doors.
Basically, its the same in hockey as being born in the UK, but having the chance to play for Team Canada instead of the UK team....which would you choose if you had a chance?
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