There was plenty of speculation about whether Timmy Chandler's decision to skip the CONCACAF Gold Cup was evidence of the German-born player's potential desire to play for Germany and give up his recent allegiance to the United States.
Chandler shot that down in a recent interview, telling Yanks Abroad he has every intention of playing for the United States, and no desire to represent Germany, where he was born.
The son of an American serviceman father and German mother, Chandler made his U.S. national team debut last March, thoroughly impressing with his speed and skill on the right flank. He passed on playing in the Gold Cup, citing injury concerns and fatigue from having just come off the busiest season of his young career, which led to some speculation that he might be holding out to play for Germany.
Chandler dismissed that notion.
"No. That is absolutely not the reason why I missed the Gold Cup," Chandler told Yanks Abroad after being asked whether a desire to play for Germany kept him out of the summer event. "It is my goal and dream to represent the United States at the 2014 World Cup. What I said in March is true. I will absolutely not play for Germany. There is no way that will happen."
Here are some other stories to get your Tuesday going:
Jose Mourinho's quest to build a team capable of beating Barcelona took another step forward on Monday, with Real Madrid announcing the signing of highly-rated Portuguese fullback Fabio Coentrao.
A star at Benfica who has rapidly become one of the best attacking fullbacks in the game, Coentrao joins on a 30 million Euro transfer, joining Nuri Sahin and Hamit Altintop as Real Madrid's top summer signings so far.
CHILE TOPS MEXICO, PERU TIES URUGUAY IN COPA
Mexico's young Copa America squad looked poised to pull off an upset when it took a 1-0 lead on highly-favored Chile, but the South Americans responded with a pair of goals to post a 2-1 win in their opening Copa America match.
Monday's Copa America action also saw Peru tie Uruguay, 1-1, with Paulo Guerrero and Luis Suarez scoring the goals.
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What do you think of these developments? Glad to hear Chandler is sticking with the United States? Like the Coentrao signing for Real Madrid? Surprised Peru was able to tie Uruguay? Enjoy watching Mexico blow a lead?
Share your thoughts below.
