A day after Abby Wambach criticized U.S. Men’s Soccer Team coach Jurgen Klinsmann and questioned the men’s team’s reliance on foreign-born players, one of those imports has clapped back.
USMNT Midfielder Mix Diskerud, who was born in Oslo, Norway to an American mother, posted the following message on Instagram on Thursday:
Wow Abby,
I guess there are pros and cons in limiting the base for selection.
You have just singled out a few of us. But why? Why are we your single oddballs?
Think about who you try to disenfranchise. Because if you see us as the group to disenfranchise, then at least let it be known who we are.
Stats and history will show – “our group” has more than others produced volunteer and defending soldiers for what, by us, is willingly chosen and gathered to be worth protecting: Your nation.
Wish you would accept it as ours too.
I know we’re not quite equal. From “your group of people” the country’s Commander in Chief need to be selected. However, other than that – you and I share something not unique, but constitutionally earned, a birthright to defend this nation as an American. Wherever we go. Led by whoever has earned, by democratic process, his/her right to lead, on or off the field, in peace, in war, in practice, or in any other kind of pursuit of your happiness.Enjoy your retirement. But stay active. We all need you. Oddballs or not.
Mix
Asked by Bill Simmons on the B.S. Podcast about Klinsmann, Wambach said she thinks the coach should be fired, then criticized his decision to bring in players from other countries who are eligible to play for the U.S.
I also believe that the way he has changed and brought in a bunch of these foreign guys is just not something that I believe in. Wholeheartedly. [You mean like hired guns from other countries basically?] Exactly, I don’t believe in it. I don’t believe it in my heart. And I love Jermaine Jones, I love watching him play. And I love Fabian Johnson and he plays in Germany and is actually killing it right now after being sent home for “faking an injury.” But I just think that this experiment that U.S. Soccer has given Jurgen isn’t one that personally I’m into.
It’s too bad Wambach’s retirement has been clouded by these comments, but she must have expected some backlash after essentially de-legitimizing a large portion of the men’s team. Diskerud was one of many foreign-born players on the 2014 World Cup roster, including heroes Jermaine Jones, Fabian Johnson and John Brooks.
Here’s Diskerud’s full Instagram post:
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