FC Dallas Defender George John Called Up By Greece
by Drew Epperley on May 27, 2011 7:33 AM CDT
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When this bit of information landed in my inbox this morning I was a bit stunned. Greek national team coach Fernando Santos named a 20-man squad for a UEFA EURO 2012 qualification match against Malta on June 4, 2011 at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and a friendly match against Ecuador on June 7, 2011 at Citi Field in New York, and announced that FC Dallas' uncapped Greek-American central defender George John (release in Greek), will join the squad in New York.
John will participate in training, but will not appear in the match against Ecuador.
Born and raised in Seattle, Wash., John is a second-generation Greek-American.
Read on for more
John issued a statement through his agent, Ted Philipakos:
It is a tremendous honor to be invited to join the Greek national team. I would like to thank EPO (Hellenic Football Federation) president Sofoklis Pilavios, national team technical director Takis Fyssas and national team coach Fernando Santos for this opportunity. I am looking forward to meeting the team in New York. As a new player, I need to use that time to get to know the staff and the players.
John's statement also addressed his United States national team eligibility:
I am fully aware of FIFA statutes regarding international eligibility, and that I will remain eligible to represent the United States for at least the short term. If I receive an invitation from the U.S. national team, I will give it consideration at that time. It would not be appropriate for me to make any further comments about my international future. It is very important to me that I show respect to both EPO and U.S. Soccer.
John has been called up once by the US back in December of 2010 but he was unable to play due to bone spurs in his ankle. In the future, if John were to appear for Greece in any match not part of an official competition (e.g., a friendly match), he would be eligible to make a one-time switch to represent the United States. However, if John were to appear for either country in an official competition (e.g., in UEFA EURO 2012 qualifying for Greece, World CUp qualifying in CONCACAF for the US), he would be permanently cap-tied to that country.
Its good to hear that John is getting looked at here for national team duties, even if it isn't the US right now. I'd hate to see him not be apart of the US team but you can't blame a guy for switching if he can in this situation.
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That's great news!
Though the only real memory I have of Greece’s national team is of them getting their butt’s kicked back in world cup 94.
Its a shame to lose him though, but at the same time maybe we can draw a small Greek crowd?? Gotta draw attendance any way we can. Having internationals sure helps.
You're only memory??
Did you forget about them winning the Euro Championships in 2004?
There was a 3 year span where I didn't watch any sports and the Eurocup was in that time frame.
I remember Germany winning it though…
by ArchLobster on May 27, 2011 12:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Wow
Congrats to him.
Has there ever been an active Greek International in MLS before. There could be an obvious answer to this, but I have no idea.
www.mavsmoneyball.com
I'd have to look it up
But yes I believe MLS has had a few Greek internationals play in the league.
Editor/writer at Big D Soccer, writer at SBNation.com/soccer, owner/founder of WVHooligan.com and you can follow me on Twitter.
by Drew Epperley on May 27, 2011 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
Is John injured?
Any word on how injured John is? He was definitely limping around by the end of the Sounders game; it looked like he’d pulled his groin, never a good thing.
No word yet
With the club traveling all week its tough to get a hold of anyone with an answer here. If he picked up any sort of big injury I’m sure Hyndman would have already been quoted on about it. I’ll try to dig a little deeper today and see though.
Editor/writer at Big D Soccer, writer at SBNation.com/soccer, owner/founder of WVHooligan.com and you can follow me on Twitter.
by Drew Epperley on May 27, 2011 9:54 AM CDT up reply actions
first
John would be the first American born player to play for the greek national team.
Hopefully he is okay for the Hou game.
Wow
Very interesting and it’s a huge credit that Dallas has players being called up all over the place…UEFA…United States…Mexico…Colombia…Awesome stuff
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by Daniel Robertson on May 27, 2011 11:09 AM CDT reply actions
Great for John....
but horrible for the US. He could make a run for one of the CB spots on the USMNT. Gooch is getting old and won’t be a factor in 2014.
no
Hate to see this happen. Especially since he was called in to the US Camp in January but did not get to go. Altough he probably would be a great fit for Greece and maybe even better there than for the US. Lets hope he gets a chance this fall for the US and can make a serious impact.
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