AMSTERDAM – A representative from the German soccer federation told MLSsoccer.com on Wednesday that although Germany lost out on the international services of Bayern Munich II hotshot Julian Green, the Germans certainly did not go down without a fight.
On Tuesday, Jurgen Klinsmann announced that the 18-year-old Tampa native had filed a binding onetime FIFA allegiance switch in order to commit to the US national team.
As it turns out, the staff of Germany senior side boss Joachim Löw was in contact with Green up until the final decision was made.
"We also were in contact with Julian Green,” Germany national team communications director Ralf Köttker told MLSsoccer.com. “[Löw's assistant coach] Hansi Flick (above, left) had a personal conversation with him. But ultimately, it is the personal choice of each individual, as we urge for anyone. Anyone opting for the DfB must also be one hundred percent behind it."
Green, who played two U-19 European Championship qualifiers for Germany back in October, recently trained with the US ahead of their March 5 friendly loss to Ukraine in Cyprus. He has been released by Bayern for the April 2 US friendly against archrivals Mexico in Arizona, but it is not yet known whether his FIFA switch will be approved in time for a debut appearance.
Until then, Green will carry on as top scorer for Bayern II, who stand atop the fourth-flight table. The youngster, who has recently been moved back out to his natural wing position, will try to add to his season total of 15 goals when the young Bavarians visit Viktoria Aschaffenburg on Saturday.
