FRISCO, Texas — FC Dallas center back George John is on the radar of US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann for this summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup.
FCD coach Schellas Hyndman confirmed to MLSsoccer.com this week that he has had discussions with Klinsmann about his star defender.
“I think [John] is sitting there right on the edge,” Hyndman said. “I know [Klinsmann’s] got other players he’s looking at internationally, but if you can see a player more, like somebody in our league, whether it’s George John or someone else, I think it’s a great benefit for him to have those guys in for camps.”
READ: Klinsmann: Expect MLS-heavy Gold Cup roster, few Euro/Mexico-based players
The USMNT boss recently detailed his plans for roster selection this summer for World Cup qualifiers and the Gold Cup.
"We have to build two rosters for that because we can't have the players do both," Klinsmann said about the upcoming games this summer. "That's good to see that we have players now coming through MLS, they are knocking at the door and getting stronger in MLS."
John has previously been called into camps for both Greece and the United States, but has yet to make an international appearance that would tie him to either nation’s team.
READ: Dallas defender John called into Greece national team
“That’s a decision I’m prepared to make,” John said of his international status. “Obviously, I’m not getting any younger, so you've got to go one way or the other.”
The commanding defender has started all nine of FCD's matches thus far and losing him to international duty could impact FC Dallas’ league aspirations, but coach Hyndman said he and the team would love to see John have the opportunity to play at that level.
“We always want the best for our players,” Hyndman explained. "Secondly, there’s a reason why we've got Stephen Keel here, there’s a reason why we drafted Walker Zimmerman, and it may be the perfect opportunity for someone else or one of the younger players to get playing time as well."
READ: FCD Homegrown Acosta enjoys first experience with Under-20 national team
Klinsmann will call players into camp for the July tournament next month. Until then, John is only worried about one red, white and blue uniform.
“That would be a tremendous opportunity,” he said, “but at this point, my focus is just on playing with FC Dallas. If any international opportunity comes up, that would be great, but that’s not where my focus is at all.”
