DUBLIN, Ireland – Irish eyes could soon be smiling for Lamar Neagle, if reported interest from the Republic of Ireland national team comes to fruition.
It is believed that the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is monitoring the Seattle Sounders' attacker after they were made aware that the 27-year-old possesses an Irish passport through his mother, Bridget.
Neagle confirmed to MLSsoccer.com on Friday that he did talk to an Irish scout on one occasion and that the connection stems from his grandmother.
“My grandma is from Ireland, and so when I was in college I wasn’t going to the combines, I wasn’t recruited, so [playing in Ireland] was an option,” Neagle said. “My mom filed for her Irish passport and she filed for me to get mine.”
Sources close to the FAI revealed that they are actively scouting the United States – and MLS in particular – for players eligible to play for Ireland, and Neagle is high on their list along with Colorado Rapids defender Shane O’Neill.
Neagle said that he has yet to hear anything from the FAI since he talked to the scout but would be intrigued by the opportunity if it does ultimately present itself.
“If they do [give me the opportunity], that’s cool,” Neagle said. “That’s awesome. I’d love for the opportunity. ... It’d be a credit to the consistent progress that I’ve had over the years. A little late for a guy to be getting his first shot at any national team, but it’s definitely flattering to hear.”
Ireland manager Martin O’Neill admitted last Sunday that he has spent the last few months searching for potential new recruits on the back of capping three English-born players in Rob Elliot, Cyrus Christie, and David McGoldrick.
Neagle, therefore, is a player who would certainly interest O’Neill – who is fond of powerful wingers that can work up and down the flanks – but any call-up is unlikely to come until after next month’s UEFA European Championship qualifier.
Neagle, who scored nine goals and tallied nine assists in 32 games for Seattle last season, said the chance to play on the elevated stage that comes with the international level has the potential to make his MLS game even sharper.
“Experience in any other league is going to transfer over,” Neagle said. “Experience anywhere, getting games, training and traveling. That’s why we play this game, to play as many games as possible.”
The Ireland boss is likely to stick with his current squad next against Poland, although he may turn to Neagle and Rapids youngster O’Neill – who was born in County Cork – for future friendly games with the England clash on June 7 likely to be used to experiment with new players.
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While Neagle suggested on social media that he is open to playing for Ireland, it might prove trickier in drafting O’Neill into the Irish set-up considering he is getting looks of late from Jurgen Klinsmann and the US national team.
The former US Under-20 captain was an unused substitute in the recent 3-2 friendly loss to Chile.
O’Neill previously stated that he has to “see what the best options are for me” regarding his long-term international future.
While the FAI will be keen to avoid a tug-of-war with U.S. Soccer over O’Neill, they remain on the hunt for new talent. And that is why Neagle is the latest name to pop up on their radar following extensive scouting of MLS over the last number of years.
From former Rapids left back Danny Earls to current NYCFC goalkeeper Ryan Meara, the FAI has kept a keen eye on MLS players who are eligible to represent Ireland and they have several scouts based across North America.
Even Ireland captain and reigning MLS MVP Robbie Keane got in on the act of recruitment when he mentioned his former LA Galaxy teammate Mike Magee as someone who the FAI should look at, though nothing came from it.
But if the interest in Neagle does materialize, then Keane may soon have some company on those transatlantic flights back to Dublin when reporting for international duty.
