Other Sports Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizen - Page 4

aturnis · 12-30-2014, 12:57 AM

Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizenhttp://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014...tizen-arsenal#

Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has become a United States citizen and plans to commit to U.S. soccer, reports the Washington Post.

According to the report, Zalalem was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process and now just needs FIFA approval, which is believed to be "a perfunctory exercise."

• STRAUS: Best, worst from Brazil: 2014 World Cup superlatives

Becoming a U.S. citizen would allow the 17-year-old to play for the U.S., Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (his family's homeland), but he has told American officials that he will play for the U.S., according to the Post.

The earliest that Zalalem could be called up to the U.S. men's national team by Jurgen Klinsmann is in late March, according to the Post.

From the report:

Zelalem is eligible for a U.S. passport through the Child Citizenship Act, a federal law that allows offspring of naturalized parents to also become citizens. Zelalem’s father, Zelalem Woldyes, was naturalized this year. The law applies to children under 18 only; Zelalem turns 18 on Jan. 26 -- an approaching deadline that had raised anxiety among U.S. supporters and officials.

• LYTTLETON: Transfer options as window nears

Zelalem spent several years of his childhood in the United States in the Maryland area. He joined Arsenal's under-21s in April 2013, then made his debut with Arsenal's senior team in January. In March, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal.

- Molly Geary

Gedion Zelalem 2014 | Goals & Skills | Arsenal F…: http://youtu.be/Q_zpnczK3kA

**Bowser** · 12-31-2014, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Report: A minimal amount of ****s given.

listopencil · 12-31-2014, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donger

I don't drink tea.

I drink tea. Ice cold and sweetened in the Summer, piping hot with cream and sugar in the Winter.

listopencil · 12-31-2014, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by listopencil

I drink tea. Ice cold and sweetened in the Summer, piping hot with cream and sugar in the Winter.

...but every once in a while I dress up like an Indian and throw some crates of tea into a nearby body of water cuz 'Murrica.

|Zach| · 01-01-2015, 01:07 AM

This has been an exciting development for sure. Momentum to make the USMNT can be slow at times but there are a lot of good indications out there. I think we are getting better at seeing young talented players...gotta get those academies to mature.

|Zach| · 01-01-2015, 01:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Roundup

I wish there was a way to mark threads as soccer. That way some of us could block soccer threads so that I can resist the urge to say:

0 ****S ARE GIVEN ABOUT SOCCER.

Your story of victimization is touching.

Red Dawg · 01-01-2015, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, but **** them if they want to play soccer for our national team. Disloyal pieces of shit.

Haha! You got schooled son.

Red Dawg · 01-01-2015, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BWillie

Sounds like he's becoming a citizen JUST so he can play for the US team. Not because he chose to become a citizen on his own accord, just because he likes the US.

It has nothing about me hating foreign people. I have no problem with foreign people whatsoever. I have a problem with people "Picking" and "Choosing" what country they want to play for when it comes time for the Olympics or National Competition of sports. You don't get to ****ing chose. Have some god damned respect for the country you came from FFS

I was just as enraged when Chris Kaman obtained German citizenship to play for Germany in the Olympics for basketball. Chris Kaman didn't become a citizen of Germany intrinsically, he did it SOLELY so that he could play for them because he couldn't play for the US. It sounds like this guy is doing the same thing. And, I don't know how anybody would be okay with that. I think loyalty is one of the most important traits a person has, and the people that do this don't have it.

I don't like it when it helps the US teams, and I don't like it when it hurts the US teams. It's the principal of it all.

And whoever used the "Send Tamba home" routine. That is ridiculous. That is totally different when it comes to PRO SPORTS. Not National Sports teams. It should be quite obvious that the Kansas City Chiefs do not use only Kansas Citians, you dumbass.

No problem with foreign people? You should seeing how their bullshit has ruined this nation.

**loochy** · 01-01-2015, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigMeatballDave

Report: A minimal amount of ****s given.

This is a much more accurate description of the situation.

**loochy** · 01-01-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

No problem with foreign people? You should seeing how their bullshit has ruined this nation.

Yeah, because the Native American foundation this nation was founded on is sooo strong.

**BigRedChief** · 01-01-2015, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

No problem with foreign people? You should seeing how their bullshit has ruined this nation.

Unless your a full blooded descendant of the American Indian, everyone you know, on this board, reading your words is a "foreigner".

|Zach| · 01-01-2015, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tuckdaddy

No problem with foreign people? You should seeing how their bullshit has ruined this nation.

kccrow · 01-01-2015, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cunning Linguist

The world will take notice when we bust out Ethiopian Doogie Howser

hahahahahah that shit's funny

12-30-2014, 12:57 AM
aturnis MVP Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Iowa Casino cash: $9975811	Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizen Report: Arsenal's Gedion Zelalem becomes U.S. citizenhttp://www.si.com/planet-futbol/2014...tizen-arsenal# Arsenal midfielder Gedion Zelalem has become a United States citizen and plans to commit to U.S. soccer, reports the Washington Post. According to the report, Zalalem was in Washington on Monday to finalize the naturalization process and now just needs FIFA approval, which is believed to be "a perfunctory exercise." • STRAUS: Best, worst from Brazil: 2014 World Cup superlatives Becoming a U.S. citizen would allow the 17-year-old to play for the U.S., Germany (where he was born) or Ethiopia (his family's homeland), but he has told American officials that he will play for the U.S., according to the Post. The earliest that Zalalem could be called up to the U.S. men's national team by Jurgen Klinsmann is in late March, according to the Post. From the report: Zelalem is eligible for a U.S. passport through the Child Citizenship Act, a federal law that allows offspring of naturalized parents to also become citizens. Zelalem’s father, Zelalem Woldyes, was naturalized this year. The law applies to children under 18 only; Zelalem turns 18 on Jan. 26 -- an approaching deadline that had raised anxiety among U.S. supporters and officials. • LYTTLETON: Transfer options as window nears Zelalem spent several years of his childhood in the United States in the Maryland area. He joined Arsenal's under-21s in April 2013, then made his debut with Arsenal's senior team in January. In March, he signed his first professional contract with Arsenal. - Molly Geary Gedion Zelalem 2014 \| Goals & Skills \| Arsenal F…: http://youtu.be/Q_zpnczK3kA
Posts: 13,873

01-01-2015, 01:07 AM	#49
\|Zach\| For The Glory Of The City Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $5386768	This has been an exciting development for sure. Momentum to make the USMNT can be slow at times but there are a lot of good indications out there. I think we are getting better at seeing young talented players...gotta get those academies to mature.
Posts: 53,398

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