Tides are turning as youth look to US for International Career

http://www.ussoccer.com/articles/viewArticle.jsp_12877828.html

It wasn't that long ago when America's young soccer players looked outside the borders of the USA for the chance to play for a National Team.

Most notably perhaps is New Jersey native Giuseppi Rossi, who turned down the chance to play for the USA to follow his dream to play for his father's native country Italy. Neven Subotic, who started his international career with the USSA Youth Program but had a falling out of sorts with US Youth Director Thomas Rongen, opted to don the Red White and Blue of Serbia rather than that of the USA.

But lately there have been more and more players opting to play for the USA instead.

Aaron Maund, a dual citizen of United States and Trinidad & Tobago is the latest to join the ranks of the USA . Maund has been officially added to the U-20 roster for the qualifying tournament for the 2009 CONCACAF Under-20 Championship after his request to transfer to the USA was approved by FIFA earlier this week.

He is joined by another U-20 newcomer, American Italian Vincenzo Bernardo (who currently plays in Naples Italy). Also, last year Mexican-American Jose Torres turned down the chance to play for Mexico and was rewarded with a call up to the USA senior mens squad for World Cup qualifying and coming on as a substitute in the 6-1 win over Cuba.

Whatever their motivation, be it an overwhelming sense of patriotism, or the realization that there may be more room for success in the USA than in other countries, this is good news for US Soccer.