For the second consecutive summer, Timothy Chandler has turned down the chance to play for the U.S. men’s national team. He shouldn’t be given a third. The U.S. believed it had a gem in the 22-year-old son of an American serviceman and German mother, part of a burgeoning pipeline of talent that has begun to play a major role.
But Chandler cited fatigue after a long first season for FC Nurnberg in the Bundesliga over representing the U.S. in last year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup. This year, he’ll miss the start of 2014 World Cup qualifying. Both events would’ve tied him permanently to the U.S.
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By staying home, Chandler keeps his options open — he’s denied a secret preference to represent Germany instead. We’ll know for sure as 2014 gets closer, but time and matches are precious. While U.S. depth at outside back is fine, it doesn’t improve if Chandler’s penciled-in name is erased before every training camp.
“The door is certainly not closed on Timmy,” U.S. coach Juergen Klinsmann said.
But it should be, with a bolt lock.
– Craig Stouffer
