Perhaps it seems a bit odd for U.S. fans to sweat so furiously over a prospective ’Nat who has yet to appear in Red, White & Blue, but the following blurb should give them a little lift:
Schalke midfield general Jermaine Jones is busy easing his way back into training and is plotting his return before season’s end.
With the Miners set to close up shop May 8 at Mainz, Jones has seven weeks and change to hit his target. If he tags the bulls-eye, he automatically enters the World Cup discussion as a possible—if not, preferable—starter for the United States in South Africa.
So, where is he now in a recovery that has dragged on longer—and worse—than the final season of Northern Exposure?
“I’ve started training with the ball and it went well,” Jones told MLSsoccer.com after an afternoon rehab session on Monday afternoon. “After a break due to further treatments, I will practice with the ball in the next days. I am looking to take part in the team’s training in the upcoming weeks.”
In other words, he’s not yet knocking on the door. Let’s say he’s just now pulling into the driveway.
“It is frustrating,” Jones admits. “But I have learned to listen to my body which tells me when I am ready.”
It seems as if every U.S. supporter from Gelsenkirchen to Glendale are straining to listen to his body, too. The wait for Jones has been agonizing—not as bad as for the player, of course, but bad. I see it in numerous emails from readers, blog comments, message board moans and even in my own well-wrung hands.
When the Americans line up against older cousin England on June 12th, it will have been a year since Jones told reporters he was looking into a FIFA switch to the United States... and, brother, it will have been a long year.
Having previously featured in three friendlies with Germany, the 28-year-old wanted his prime shot at playing in a World Cup. He officially applied to FIFA last summer and received his approval in October.
Immediately, Stateside fans envisioned him partnering with fellow Bundesliga water carrier Michael Bradley. It was a fitting image. After all, it was the Borussia Mönchengladbach middleman that helped facilitate the first discussions with U.S. boss Bob Bradley, a.k.a. Dad.
Only one problem: Jones’s dang leg injury wouldn’t heal.
A shin fracture suffered during the summer needed surgery. The pain persisted when Jones returned to training. Another operation. He was initially expected back over winter break. Now, we’re heading toward April and the comeback effort continues.
Let’s be clear: American fans are not being wild by hanging hopes on the 28-year-old. Jones is quick, agile, tough and plays the two-way game needed to fit into coach Bradley’s system.
From the last two seasons, he was ranked the eighth and fourth best midfielder in the Bundesliga by noted German magazine Kicker. More to the point, he seems tailor-made to partner with the younger Bradley. Each is highly capable of holding down the fort or surging into the attack, providing a unique box-to-box twin threat.
Even if it remains hard to envision Jones patrolling the middle for the U.S. in South Africa this summer, he was able to begin blending in with the team during a visit for their March 3rd friendly in the Netherlands.
“It was a good experience to get together with the team,” he said. But Bradley père hasn’t begun dealing with Jones the midfielder just yet. “I have talked to the coach, but not about tactics. It was nice to be welcomed warmly by my new teammates.”
It’s just as well Bradley is keeping a wide berth when it comes to the actual games ahead. Jones would not be able to appear for the U.S. until their tune-up friendlies begin after Schalke’s season. The player has properly placed the horse before the cart.
“It is my goal to play for Schalke this season,” Jones declared. “I am just focusing on my comeback for the club at the moment. A further engagement for the U.S. National Team depends on my comeback and fitness.”
And so that’s where he stands. Resume your nail-biting accordingly.
