Many U.S. soccer fans are hungry to see two recent additions to the U.S. player pool, Jermaine Jones and Edgar Castillo, named on the roster for a World Cup qualifying game. But both dual-internationals are still ineligible to play for the United States. Jones (Germany) and Castillo (Mexico) switched their international soccer allegiance to the USA after a FIFA ruling in June opened that door for players of any age who hadn't played for their country at the full international level. But FIFA, a notoriously slow moving bureaucracy, needs to approve each change. So everyone is waiting.
Both Castillo and Jones, however, might have to wait a while before they see any meaningful action for the USA. Castillo, who has started the Mexican season in good form with his club Tigres, has some issues with the timeliness of his paper work. Although the New Mexico native said his paperwork was filed in early August, a USSF spokesman said Castillo was still in the process of completing the submission of his documentation last week, and that FIFA would not be able to rule on his case until he had done so.
Jones, meanwhile, has been sidelined since early summer with a hairline fracture in his leg, and Schalke team officials say they don't want to rush the midfielder back into action too early. He returned to light training with his club late last week and will work his way back to fitness. Although Jones could see action as early as mid-September, it's more likely he will return later in the month, which would make doubtful any appearances in the USA's important October qualifying games.
FIFA has, however, processed one request for a national affiliation transfer. San Jose Earthquakes' midfielder Arturo Alvarez switched allegiance from the U.S. to El Salvador. He played his first game for the Central Americans on August 12, and he's in El Salvador's squad for its game against the USA Sept. 5.