With Jurgen Klinsmann at the helm, the United States Men's National Team has a clear foreign influence. Along with the German coach, seven American players hold dual-citizenship with another nation and have participated in other national team programs. A total of five of those players come from Germany, one from Iceland and one from Norway.
One of the players, Jermaine Jones, actually made senior team appearances for another nation, Germany. Another player, John Brooks, was the hero of the World Cup opening victory over Ghana. Another, Julian Green, may have the brightest future of any American soccer teenager ever (yes, even more so than Freddy Adu). Here are the seven USMNT World Cup players who have played for other national teams:7 American World Cup Soccer Players Who Once Competed For Another Nation Slideshow
John Brooks, Germany
Monday's American hero, Brooks started his international career as an American, but left for one game. After playing four games with the U.S. U20 team from 2010-2011 and one game with the U.S. U23 team in 2011, Brooks played one game for the Germany U20 team in 2012. He participated in camps for both nations during his youth, but when it came time to commit to a senior team, he chose the stars and stripes. Brooks made his USMNT senior debut in July 2013. Brooks, born in Berlin, is the son of an American serviceman from Chicago and a German mother. He has a tattoo of Illinois on one elbow and Germany on the other. Brooks has played for his hometown club of Hertha BSC his entire career, and he has never lived in the U.S.
Jermaine Jones, Germany
Jones could be labeled the pioneer for the Germany-to-U.S. switch. Jones was born to a U.S. Army soldier and a German mother. He did not see his father from age 6 to 26, and the 32-year-old made eight appearances for the Germany U21 Team from 2001-2003. In 2004, he played one game for Germany Team 2006 (Germany National Football B Team), and in 2008, he made three appearances in friendlies for the Germany National Team. When FIFA changed its rule in 2009 to allow senior-level dual-citizen players who had not played competitive matches to switch FIFA nationalities, Jones jumped on the opportunity. Jones became part of the USMNT team in 2009, although a shin injury sidelined him for the 2010 World Cup. He has been a stalwart in the American midfield for the past four years.
Fabian Johnson, Germany
Fabian Johnson's father, Charles, an American serviceman did not leave Germany after his tenure was up. Instead, he played basketball for Bayern Munich. Meanwhile, Fabian became a promising soccer youth for Germany. From 2003-2009, he accumulated 35 appearances for the Germany U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 Teams. However, after Jurgen Klinsmann was named the USMNT Team head coach, Johnson switched across the Atlantic Ocean for this senior team allegiance. The defender made his U.S. debut in September 2011 and has two goals in 23 appearances.
Aron Johannsson, Iceland
Johannsson was born to Icelandic parents in Mobile, Ala., and his family moved to Iceland at age 3. Although he spent a year in high school at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., Johannsson chose to represent Iceland in his U21 career. He played 10 matches for the Iceland U21 Team from 2011-2012, tallying one goal. Despite pressure from the Iceland's FA chief to stay with Iceland, Johannsson switched his national allegiance in the summer of 2010. He made his USMNT World Cup debut as a sub for Jozy Altidore versus Ghana.
Mikkel Diskerud, Norway
Unlike most American transfers, it is Diskerud's mother, an Arizona native, who provided him American roots. Growing up in Norway, Diskerud chose to represent the nation of his father in his youth. Diskerud played one game for the Norway U18 Team and one game for the U19 Team in 2008. In 2009, Diskerud the midfielder opted to play for the U.S. U20 Team, tallying one goal in three appearances. He made four appearances for the U.S. U23 Team in 2012, and since 2010, Diskerud has 20 caps for the USMNT.
Julian Green, Germany
The 19-year-old was born in Tampa, Fla. to an American serviceman and German mother. He moved to Germany when he was 2. By his teens, a tug of war began between Germany and the U.S. for his national rights. From 2011-2013, Green played 11 games for the Germany U16, U17 and U19 games. However, he played one game for the U.S. U18 Team in 2012, scoring a goal in the one appearance. Jurgen Klinsmann tried to pull Green onto the roster in 2013, but the midfielder preferred to ponder his choice longer. Talking to Sports Illustrated in February, Green said of FIFA World Cup Group G: "My dad and I will be hoping that both countries go through. It's a tough group for the USA, with Portugal and Ghana in there too." A few weeks later, Green's change of nationality to the United States was approved, and he made his USMNT debut in April. Next week, his decision will be put to the test as Green, who has just two USMNT caps, may see the pitch against Germany. His move may also be a landmark moment in USMNT history.
Timothy Chandler, Germany
Chandler was born in Frankfurt to a U.S. military father from New York and a German mother. His parents separated shortly after his birth, and Chandler grew up in Germany with his mother. The defender represented Germany at the under-15 level, but he was not called up to other youth teams. In March 2011, Chandler made his debut for Bob Bradley's USMNT. He has 13 caps in over three years.
