Could the dream many US fans have had of Portland Timbers midfielder Darlington Nagbe playing for the national team be nearing reality?
Nagbe is reaching the final steps in obtaining United States citizenship, reportedThe Washington Post's Steve Goff on Monday. Goff explains, "Paperwork should be completed sometime in September."
The Timbers star, in his fifth season in MLS after playing collegiately at Akron University for Caleb Porter, was born in Liberia and after being uprooted by the civil war in that country, eventually moved to Ohio as a child.
Nagbe discussed his interest in playing for the US national team, rather than Liberia, in April 2014, but cautioned that a selection would be dependent on not only his citizenship but also his performance: "It all depends on how I’m doing. So hopefully if I’m doing well it happens.”
While Nagbe's boxscore stats aren't great – he has just one goal and three assists so far in 2015 – he leads the league in chances created from the run of play, as well as fouls suffered. Both would be of significant value to a US team that has struggled to create good looks over the past 18 months.
The USMNT have a pair of friendlies, against Peru and Brazil, in early September, ahead of a competitive clash against Mexico in the Confederations Cup playoff Oct. 9 in Pasadena, Calif.
