Jones and Castillo still awaiting FIFA clearance

[epjr]

When U.S. national team coach Bob Bradley revealed his roster for this coming weekend's crucial World Cup qualifier against El Salvador, some observers were quicker to notice a pair of omissions than any of the names actually on the list.

No Jermaine Jones? No Edgar Castillo? When, many wondered, will Bradley call in the two newest additions to the American player pool?

While only Bradley himself will be able to answer that question in the long run, for the time being, the coach's hands are tied. As he was choosing his team for the El Salvador game and the match with Trinidad and Tobago four days later, Jones and Castillo were still ineligible to play for the United States.

Both dual-nationals announced they would switch their international soccer allegiance to the U.S. after a FIFA ruling in June opened that door for players of any age not cap-tied at the full international level. But FIFA still must approve each change. The paperwork of both Jones and Castillo is still sitting on some bureaucrat's desk in Switzerland. Exactly when either might be given the stamp of approval is anyone's guess.

soccernet.espn.go.com/columns/story?id=672338&sec=us&root=us&cc=5901

[epjr]

The USSF was notified by FIFA that Edgar Castillo has been cleared to switch national allegiances, meaning the 22-year-old left back for Tigres will be eligible for selection for next month's qualifiers. The New Mexico native represented Mexico before deciding to switch.

voices.washingtonpost.com/soccerinsider/2009/09/usa_rewind_1.html

[epjr]

Report: Jones might need another surgery

Jermaine Jones' much-anticipated debut with the U.S. team continues to be placed on hold as the 27-year-old Schalke midfielder has endured a post-surgery recovery setback.

Jones underwent surgery for a shin injury back in June, but reportedly continues to feel pain in his leg. Schalke officials are considering new options for treatment, one of which is to perform another procedure.

"Jermaine possibly needs to undergo surgery again. We will make a decision about that later this week," Schalke coach Felix Magath told German newspaper Bild.

Jones had been initially expected to return to match action in Schalke's Bundesliga opener, but Jones has yet to make his first official appearance of the 2009-10 campaign.

[epjr]

Schalke midfielder and U.S. national team prospect Jermaine Jones' return to Bundesliga action is set to be delayed by up to three weeks, but it appears as though he will not need a new surgery on the shin fracture that has sidelined him for the summer.

www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/09/jones-will-not-have-another-surgery.html

[epjr]

Jones' paperwork completed, next stop FIFA

The U.S. Soccer Federation has received all the necessary paperwork from the German Football Federation, and from Jermaine Jones, for Jones' application for a switch to the U.S. national team to be processed by FIFA, sources told SBI this weekend.

There had been a delay in the securing of the necessary documents, but with the USSF finally receiving all the necessary paperwork to submit the application, the clock now starts ticking on Jones' switch to the U.S. team. With FIFA processing applications for federation changes on a monthly basis, Jones should become eligible to play for the United States within a month, assuming his application is approved.

[epjr]

We'll get to see Edgar Castillo play for the Nats in the November friendlies against Denmark and Slovakia according to Ives.