When one door closes, another one opens. At least that's the case with Schalke 04 midfielder Jermaine Jones.
On Friday, US national team coach Jurgen Klinsmann chose to add Jones, who is currently serving an eight-week suspension from German and European soccer, to the USMNT's January training camp roster.
Jones is serving the suspension from the German Football Federation for intentionally stomping on the foot of Borussia Mönchengladbach midfielder Marcos Reus during a Bundesliga match that Schalke lost 3-1.
"Obviously this is a very difficult moment for Jermaine," Klinsmann said in a statement. "He regrets the incident and has apologized to the player, his coaches and his teammates. He respects the decision of the German Federation and accepts the punishment.
"While an unfortunate situation, it provides me the opportunity to call him in and continue to get him integrated with our system as we prepare the team for qualifying this summer. I have spoken with the coach at Schalke and Jermaine, and we all agree this is what's best."
Though the referee missed the stomping incident, the Bundesliga disciplinary committee used video footage to charge Jones with "grave misconduct." Jones was later ejected at the end of the match for an unrelated incident.
The German-American is banned until March 1, during which time he'll miss six Bundesliga matches and two Europa League tilts. His suspension, however, didn't rule him out from US call-ups.
Jones will join the 21-man US roster on Jan. 14 at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif., ahead of two friendlies against Venezuela – on Jan. 21 in Glendale, Ariz. – and against Panama in Panama City four days later.
