“It’s an exciting time with a new coach and the World Cup coming up. I got a call that I was getting called in and was super excited about it. But then I was called by the club and they let me know that I was not going to be going. That left me feeling pretty discouraged and maybe disappointed that I was getting that opportunity taken from me.”

Not ready to subscribe? Sign up here for our free newsletter.

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Paul Kennedy edited Soccer America for 41 years (1985-2026). He began writing for SA in 1974. He started writing for France Football in 1978 and has served on in Ballon d'Or jury since 2007.