Comments new USMNT manager Bruce Arena made back in 2013 concerning foreign-born players found their way back to Twitter this week, and Arena addressed those comments on Tuesday when asked by the media during his first conference call since rejoining the federation.
Three years ago, Arena told ESPN The Magazine that "players on the national team should be American. If they're born in other countries, we aren't making progress."
Obviously that seems to be implying that players who aren't born here aren't Americans. The national team features many players born in other countries, like Fabian Johnson and Jermaine Jones, both born in Germany. So Arena decided to respond to a question about those comments on Tuesday during a conference call.
"As a starting point with dual nationals, one of my favorite players in my previous eight years with the national team is Earnie Stewart," Arena said, referencing the former Dutch-born player he often called up to the team.
Arena then said if he made those comments that they don't reflect his attitude, seemingly forgetting to have said them,
"I embrace all players that are eligible to play," Arena added.
He did just what he was supposed to, squash those comments. But will the foreign-born players he calls up believe him? We'll just have to see.
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