Justin Meram got his first national team call-up Monday. But it wasn’t for the United States.
Meram’s call-up came from Iraq, the country where both of his parents were born. And for the fourth-year MLS man, born and raised in eastern Michigan and a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Iraq national team was always his dream.
“The No. 1 focus was the Iraq national team; it’s always been my focus,” Meram said in a conference call with media Monday. “Having my family come from back home, that’s just my culture, I was born and raised with it. That was my dream and the goal I always wanted. I’m just so happy that I’m a part of it now.”
The Columbus Crew winger will join his Iraq teammates in Saudi Arabia in preparation for the 2014 Gulf Cup of Nations, which starts Friday for the Lions of Mesopotamia when they take on Kuwait and continues against Oman on Nov. 17 in Group B action.
While the Islamic State and other issues still plague Iraq and the Middle East, Meram says he has no concerns about joining the team, whether in Saudi Arabia or Iraq.
“I know that with the national team and security, everything is fine,” he said. “I feel secure in wherever I need to be with the national team, whether it’s heading Saudi Arabia for the Gulf Cup or back to the nation’s capital. I’m secure with any games or any place we need to play.”
And part of Meram’s excitement, he said, comes from the idea of being a part of an Iraq national team turnaround.
“You’ve got to forget the past and all the negativity and look at the positive,” he said. “They’re on the rise and making a name for themselves, and I’m just glad I can be a part of it and help out in any way possible. They’ve got some tremendous players and guys who have played in Europe and big clubs in the Middle East.”
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And while the process to get his dual-citizenship and eligibility for the team hasn’t been a short one, Meram says his first call-up comes at the perfect time.
“It’s been about two years trying to get everything organized and paperwork and everything,” he said. “Two years ago, I maybe wouldn’t have been ready and might not have shown my true talent level. But here I am under [Crew head coach] Gregg Berhalter’s system … I’m really playing the best soccer that I have.”
Regardless of how he’ll fit into the new squad – that plays a 4-4-2, in which Meram can play either wing or second striker – he said pulling on the jersey will be a huge moment.
“I’ve got full pride,” he said. “I talk about my culture all the time in the locker room with the guys and with my friends outside of soccer. They know how full I am of Iraq, and where I come from and the culture and things like that. To wear the jersey is going to be a dream come true. I’m going to get goose bumps and maybe get a little teary-eyed. That’s going to be one I cherish for the rest of my life.”
