Four years after deciding to play for the United States, Jones recalls that decision and discusses his desire to join MLS when his Schalke contract expires next season.
Four years ago, Jermaine Jones made a decision that would have a significant impact on the U.S. national team. In 2009, FIFA adopted a new rule that allowed players to switch national teams if they hadn't participated in any competitive matches. Jones, the son of an American serviceman who was born in Germany, sensed an opportunity. Utilizing his dual-national status, Jones immediately called the United States Soccer Federation to see if then-coach Bob Bradley had any interest in him joining the American squad. A stellar defensive midfielder for Schlake, one of the Bundesliga's top sides, Jones saw a chance to help the United States improve after failing to break into the German national team. Bradley did his due diligence.
"Bob had asked his son Michael to speak with me. After we talked, Bob called me to meet me," Jones told Goal. "When he came, he was talking about commitment and I told him I would give him my 100 percent for the United States."
That decision would open up opportunities for more German-Americans with situations similar to Jones'. Timothy Chandler, Danny Williams, Fabian Johnson and Terrence Boyd all followed in Jones' footsteps into the U.S. pool. Johnson and Chandler have become crucial starters for the Red, White and Blue, and Williams and Boyd are important squad players. Bundesliga starlets Joel Anthony Brooks and Shaun Parker could be next in line for the U.S. team, which is now coached by German soccer legend Jurgen Klinsmann.
Jones isn't sure if he played a role in his fellow German-Americans joining the United States, but the sometimes boastful -- and, shall we say... self-assured -- 31-year-old is happy if he made the decision easier for his colleagues. "Now, you see guys like Danny Williams and the younger guys come. Yeah, I'm proud of this," Jones said. "America is a big country with a growing team and to have guys from the German league joining the team, it's the perfect way to step on and [improve].
"The four [German] players who play on the U.S. are good players in the Bundlesliga, so I think it's perfect."
There have been a number of negative opinions voiced about the inclusion of German-Americans under Bradley and Klinsmann.
"Players on the national team should be -- and this is my own feeling -- they should be Americans," Bruce Arena, who is widely considered to be the best head coach in U.S. history, said.
The prevailing feeling is: If foreign-born players don't understand or appreciate American culture, why should they be representing the U.S. national team?
The situation wasn't helped when Chandler wavered back and forth over deciding whether or not to play for the USA before finally cap-tying himself to the CONCACAF nation in a World Cup qualifying match against Honduras earlier this year, though he denies that he was waiting for a call to play for Germany.
Still, Jones disagrees with the critics.
"For me, I'm happy to put the jersey on. I see myself as half German and half American," Jones said. "At that time [when I made my decision], I was glad to play in Germany but excited to get to go play in America for the U.S. national team. I was proud to be a German-American."
Jones' style of play and lifestyle also prove the contrary to many critics who claim foreign-born players are freelance mercenaries just looking for an opportunity. In his 28 games for the U.S. national team, there has never been a game in which he has been criticized for a perceived lack of effort. Heck, there's even a drinking game in his honor for his rugged play and hard tackles that lead to yellow cards.
In his offseasons away from Schalke, Jones and his wife and children reside in Los Angeles, where he has owned a home for three years. Jones says that he's thrilled whenever he returns back stateside as he feels like the American way of life is more comfortable than what he experiences back in Germany.
"I love the people of America. They are chill, easy going, nice people. Compare it to Germany, where if you are on the street and say to a stranger, 'Hey whats up, how are you doing,' they look at you like you are crazy. 'I don't know you.' In the States, it's more comfortable. I love that. That's why I bought my house there three years ago.
"I've always said once I'm done with Schalke, I'm coming to live in the United States. I have a lot of friends now in the United States."
In fact, Jones' plan to move to the United States could be determined by Major League Soccer. Jones is confident that he can have the same impact on the league that stars David Beckham and Thierry Henry had. (I did mention that he's a bit on the boastful side).
"I have one year remaining on my contract with Schalke and I've always looked at what's going on with MLS. Maybe I can help the MLS go on [and improve] like Henry and Beckham," Jones said. "I've played a lot of games in Germany and who knows what can happen. I'll see with teams in MLS, maybe I can [find a good fit] where I can help a team when my contract's done in Germany."
He added: "I've got my house in Los Angeles along with Germany. It's easiest to say then, 'OK, I want to play for Chivas USA or LA Galaxy.' But it's open, I don't put my eyes on one or two teams where I can play. My [U.S.] teammates tell me that there are a lot of good cities in the States."
In a country where is identity can often be complex, forged from a multitide of cultures and ideologies, Jones is no different from the thousands of people who arrive each year looking for new opportunities. Contrary to what has been written in some reports where the German players rate themselves higher than American teammates, Jones is happy to play for a talented team that features several American-born stars.
"We have a lot of players playing in competitions outside of America and in America, too," Jones noted before listing several American talents who could play in any top league, including Bradley, Tim Howard, Jozy Altidore, Landon Donovan and Clint Dempsey, among others.
Jones' willingness to assimilate is genuine, and based on his performances for the national team, he has lived up to the promise that he gave Bradley four years ago.
He has given his all and the United States and its fans should be happy to accommodate players like him.
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