Jones gets start in 1st game with United States

Published November 20, 2014

German-born Jermaine Jones is in the starting lineup for Saturday night's game against Poland, his first with the United States.

The Schalke midfielder, born in Frankfurt to an American father and German mother, switched nationalities last year after playing for Germany three times in exhibitions. FIFA rules now allow players with dual nationalities to switch allegiances at any age — so long as they haven't appeared in an official game.

Jones was eligible to play for the United States at the World Cup in South Africa, but was sidelined last season with a shin injury.

AC Milan defender Oguchi Onyewu is also starting, despite not playing a competitive match since the 2-2 tie against Slovenia on June 18 at the World Cup. Onyewu blew out his knee last October in the final World Cup qualifier, and U.S. coach Bob Bradley benched the veteran against Algeria and Ghana in the World Cup, saying his reactions in the first two games were too slow at that point in his recovery.

Onyewu has not even been selected to dress for AC Milan yet this season.

Bradley is using a 4-2-3-1 formation, a departure from the 4-4-2 that the U.S. usually uses. He also has captain Carlos Bocanegra at left back, and is starting Maurice Edu at defender rather than his usual defensive midfield spot.

Aston Villa defender Eric Lichaj, who grew up in suburban Chicago and whose parents were born in Poland, is on the bench and could make his U.S. debut as a sub.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/jones-gets-start-in-1st-game-with-united-states