Canada 103 in FIFA rankings...

[browna]

^
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?

[Bill Bumface]

Well at least North Korea has nothing on us. Ugh. I still can't believe it with how popular youth soccer is here.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by browna

^
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?

You kind of proved my point with Hargreaves. I said that Stalteri's career suffered because he was loyal to a third rate soccer nation. He might have cracked Italy's team, if he got to play for Juve, AC, Inter, Roma, Lazio or another top club there, and had that door open to him. But since he was a loyal Canadian, his opportunities were limited to lower Premiership teams and German teams looking for a bargain. As you said, because Hargreaves became an English national, many more doors opened to him....doors that were not open to Stalteri, and those systems made him a better player. I played against Hargreaves in a friendly when I was in Foothills. He was clearly elite, but he wasn't much better than other top players in the premier division. Niendorf and his Bayern connections made him the player he is, but it was his ability to be capped for a major team that put him over the top. I think we both kind of agree with each other, but in a roundabout way.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by browna

^
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?

That's the problem. The rules are too loose. You should not get a choice. If you are Canadian, you play for Canada. There should be no loop-holes because you have relatives from the old country.

[Magnum PEI]

The good news is there are some promising young guys coming up, notably potential Chelsea target and current Feyenoord midfielder Jonathan de Guzman.

I was under the impression that De Guzman will pull a Hargreaves and play for the Netherlands.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by Magnum PEI

I was under the impression that De Guzman will pull a Hargreaves and play for the Netherlands.

Wouldn't surprise me, frankly. Though I think De Guzman has played for Canada already at a lower level, so I don't think he can.