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Canales Daily: Thorrington, Ihemelu For US Chance
Two players who might have appeared in the uniforms of different countries cast their lot with the United States and now fight to prove their value in Bob Bradley's national team training camp.
Jan 19, 2009 1:14:07 AM
By Andrea Canales
The different possibilities that some multiple citizenship players have can seem tantalizingly varied. However, soccer teaches that tough choices eventually come and every opportunity should be made the most of.
Take, for example, the case of centerback Ugo Ihemelu. He is eligible for three squads - the United States, Nigeria, and Canada. He played three minutes in a friendly for the U.S. versus Norway in 2006, so his allegiance seemed to lie there, although friendlies alone do not cap tie players.
Canada did bring Ihemelu into a national team camp in June of 2008, but Ihemelu never appeared in the ensuing qualifying match, which, as an official FIFA competition, would have captied him to that country.
"I have a few citizenships - so I just went into a camp with Canada and experienced that," Ihemelu explained. "It was cool."
It could only have been frustrating to receive so few minutes and then not another invite from the U.S., however. Ihemelu hasn't gotten another cap since that 2006 game.
Then injury issues with both Cory Gibbs and Clarence Goodson, led to their absences from the current January training camp. Ihemelu and Jason Hernandez were brought in as reinforcements.
"I was surprised to get called and am very grateful to be here," Ihemelu explained.
Not being first choice didn't deter Ihemelu from trying to make an impact.
"Anybody is lucky to play for the U.S.," Ihemelu explained. "I'm here and I'm looking forward to doing as much as I can and hopefully impressing Bob."
If Ihemelu's three year wait between camps was wearisome, he only needed to look to another January camp participant, John Thorrington, to realize that even longer periods of hoping can exist before fulfillment.
Thorrington earned his first U.S. cap in June of 2001.
"My first camp was during my offseason break when I was playing in England," Thorrington recalled. "It was a very different group. Claudio [Reyna] was in, and Brad Friedel and Joe Max-Moore - the generation of guys I'd grown up watching. It was a great experience. It was a friendly against Ecuador and I managed to get my first cap."
Thorrington, who was born in Johannesburg and once held a South African passport, at one point could have tried to catch on with South Africa, who will host the World Cup in 2010.
He didn't receive a national team invitation from the U.S. for another seven years, playing again for the U.S. in two qualifying games this past summer before attending his first winter training camp.
It wasn't Thorrington's style to reflect on that barren period, which was marked by a number of recurrent injuries, with any bitterness.
"I still think I'm fortunate to be where I'm at," said Thorrington. "Those down times have played a huge part in who I'm am and where I'm at. I don't look back. Obviously, there were a lot of disappointments and a lot of lows, but the way I look at it is that it makes getting called into camp that much sweeter."
For both players, Los Angeles hold memories apart from the current camp participation. Ihemelu began his professional career there in 2005 with the Galaxy, winning a championship with the team his rookie year. That cap against Norway was earned in the Galaxy's home stadium. Later, however, Ihemelu was unceremoniously traded away to the Colorado Rapids.
In 2007, Thorrington trialed with the Galaxy, hoping for a place after his contract in Chicago had expired. However, he wasn't offered a contract and he actually left the sport for a time.
"I was basically planning my life without soccer," Thorrington acknowledged. "I thought maybe things could work out here [in Los Angeles]. As it turned out, they didn't. But I'm a firm believer that God's in control and nothing gets wasted. Therefore, things happen for a reason. Had things worked out here, maybe I wouldn't have gone back to Chicago."
After six months out of the game, Thorrington was given another chance with Chicago, which he made the most of by scoring the late goal against the Galaxy in the final game of the 2007 season, ensuring that the Fire advanced to the postseason.
"I got back in it," Thorrington explained. "Another big thing for me has been health and from that moment, to now, I've only missed a few games. I think that's the biggest contributor to where I am now."
The priority for all those in camp is to prove their worth.
"January camps are known for being the toughest on fitness," Ihemelu pointed out. "Especially coming in late. I'm just trying to stay above water as much as I can. These are really good players. I'm trying not to stand out as one of the guys who shouldn't be here, but trying to show that I should be here and show well for myself."
No matter the time away, or the other options now in the past, the present situation is simple. Every training is an audition for Bradley's esteem. The wait is over.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com
This article has been revised to reflect corrections of FIFA rules tying players to countries. Special thanks to Sunil Gulati, U.S. Soccer Federation President, for clarification on the issue.
Discuss the U.S. Men's National Team in the new Goal.com forums.
The different possibilities that some multiple citizenship players have can seem tantalizingly varied. However, soccer teaches that tough choices eventually come and every opportunity should be made the most of.
Take, for example, the case of centerback Ugo Ihemelu. He is eligible for three squads - the United States, Nigeria, and Canada. He played three minutes in a friendly for the U.S. versus Norway in 2006, so his allegiance seemed to lie there, although friendlies alone do not cap tie players.
Canada did bring Ihemelu into a national team camp in June of 2008, but Ihemelu never appeared in the ensuing qualifying match, which, as an official FIFA competition, would have captied him to that country.
"I have a few citizenships - so I just went into a camp with Canada and experienced that," Ihemelu explained. "It was cool."
It could only have been frustrating to receive so few minutes and then not another invite from the U.S., however. Ihemelu hasn't gotten another cap since that 2006 game.
Then injury issues with both Cory Gibbs and Clarence Goodson, led to their absences from the current January training camp. Ihemelu and Jason Hernandez were brought in as reinforcements.
"I was surprised to get called and am very grateful to be here," Ihemelu explained.
Not being first choice didn't deter Ihemelu from trying to make an impact.
"Anybody is lucky to play for the U.S.," Ihemelu explained. "I'm here and I'm looking forward to doing as much as I can and hopefully impressing Bob."
If Ihemelu's three year wait between camps was wearisome, he only needed to look to another January camp participant, John Thorrington, to realize that even longer periods of hoping can exist before fulfillment.
Thorrington earned his first U.S. cap in June of 2001.
"My first camp was during my offseason break when I was playing in England," Thorrington recalled. "It was a very different group. Claudio [Reyna] was in, and Brad Friedel and Joe Max-Moore - the generation of guys I'd grown up watching. It was a great experience. It was a friendly against Ecuador and I managed to get my first cap."
Thorrington, who was born in Johannesburg and once held a South African passport, at one point could have tried to catch on with South Africa, who will host the World Cup in 2010.
He didn't receive a national team invitation from the U.S. for another seven years, playing again for the U.S. in two qualifying games this past summer before attending his first winter training camp.
It wasn't Thorrington's style to reflect on that barren period, which was marked by a number of recurrent injuries, with any bitterness.
"I still think I'm fortunate to be where I'm at," said Thorrington. "Those down times have played a huge part in who I'm am and where I'm at. I don't look back. Obviously, there were a lot of disappointments and a lot of lows, but the way I look at it is that it makes getting called into camp that much sweeter."
For both players, Los Angeles hold memories apart from the current camp participation. Ihemelu began his professional career there in 2005 with the Galaxy, winning a championship with the team his rookie year. That cap against Norway was earned in the Galaxy's home stadium. Later, however, Ihemelu was unceremoniously traded away to the Colorado Rapids.
In 2007, Thorrington trialed with the Galaxy, hoping for a place after his contract in Chicago had expired. However, he wasn't offered a contract and he actually left the sport for a time.
"I was basically planning my life without soccer," Thorrington acknowledged. "I thought maybe things could work out here [in Los Angeles]. As it turned out, they didn't. But I'm a firm believer that God's in control and nothing gets wasted. Therefore, things happen for a reason. Had things worked out here, maybe I wouldn't have gone back to Chicago."
After six months out of the game, Thorrington was given another chance with Chicago, which he made the most of by scoring the late goal against the Galaxy in the final game of the 2007 season, ensuring that the Fire advanced to the postseason.
"I got back in it," Thorrington explained. "Another big thing for me has been health and from that moment, to now, I've only missed a few games. I think that's the biggest contributor to where I am now."
The priority for all those in camp is to prove their worth.
"January camps are known for being the toughest on fitness," Ihemelu pointed out. "Especially coming in late. I'm just trying to stay above water as much as I can. These are really good players. I'm trying not to stand out as one of the guys who shouldn't be here, but trying to show that I should be here and show well for myself."
No matter the time away, or the other options now in the past, the present situation is simple. Every training is an audition for Bradley's esteem. The wait is over.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com
This article has been revised to reflect corrections of FIFA rules tying players to countries. Special thanks to Sunil Gulati, U.S. Soccer Federation President, for clarification on the issue.
Discuss the U.S. Men's National Team in the new Goal.com forums.
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