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Ricochet · 15-09-2003, 08:35 PM

http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/?ID=4&ArticleID=932

Chicago star looking at international options

Chicago's new star striker Damani Ralph is exploring his international avenues, which will decide whether he will become a US, or Jamaican, international.
Ralph has scored 11 goals for the Fire, in his first season as a professional, and has already attracted interest in his services from European clubs eager to capture the 22-year-old.

With his international career now becoming a focus of interest for the Kingston born forward, the US face competition from his homeland Jamaica, with both nations still not tied to the youngster.

"Ralph is not tied to any nation," said Ralph's agent Patrick McCabe of First Artist. "He has one appearance for Jamaica in a friendly last year."

However, at present the US haven't looked to try and cap Ralph, and Bruce Arena has yet to make contact with the player about the possibility of capping him in an international.

"Damani is certainly open to playing for whichever country wants him and whichever country can offer him an international career," added McCabe.

"We are open to exploring both options but there has not been any contact from US Soccer and we would need to hear something from Bruce Arena or US Soccer officials for us to explore that route seriously."

Still, Ralph - now in his fifth year of residency in the US - needs to work on becoming a US citizen, which can take a long time unless he marries a current citizen of the States.

"The process for gaining US citizenship is a lengthy one and there is no fast track process for someone like Damani," noted McCabe.

"We are looking at all our options. Damani has a girlfriend who is a US citizen. Marriage is not impending, however."

15-09-2003, 08:35 PM	#4 (permalink)
Ricochet TS Member Favourite Team: USMNT, Manchester United Ricochet is Offline Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: New York Posts: 4,405 vCash: 500 Rep: Rep Points: 698 Country:	Chicago star looking at international options http://www.turfmonster.com/articles/?ID=4&ArticleID=932 Chicago star looking at international options Chicago's new star striker Damani Ralph is exploring his international avenues, which will decide whether he will become a US, or Jamaican, international. Ralph has scored 11 goals for the Fire, in his first season as a professional, and has already attracted interest in his services from European clubs eager to capture the 22-year-old. With his international career now becoming a focus of interest for the Kingston born forward, the US face competition from his homeland Jamaica, with both nations still not tied to the youngster. "Ralph is not tied to any nation," said Ralph's agent Patrick McCabe of First Artist. "He has one appearance for Jamaica in a friendly last year." However, at present the US haven't looked to try and cap Ralph, and Bruce Arena has yet to make contact with the player about the possibility of capping him in an international. "Damani is certainly open to playing for whichever country wants him and whichever country can offer him an international career," added McCabe. "We are open to exploring both options but there has not been any contact from US Soccer and we would need to hear something from Bruce Arena or US Soccer officials for us to explore that route seriously." Still, Ralph - now in his fifth year of residency in the US - needs to work on becoming a US citizen, which can take a long time unless he marries a current citizen of the States. "The process for gaining US citizenship is a lengthy one and there is no fast track process for someone like Damani," noted McCabe. "We are looking at all our options. Damani has a girlfriend who is a US citizen. Marriage is not impending, however." __________________ "Everyone on this forum is dumber for having read this post."