Jurgen Klinsmann has no problem combing Europe to find new talent for the US national team, no matter their place of birth, but could there be a potential national-teamer plying his trade right in the coach's backyard?
Juninho, who came to the Galaxy from Brazil in 2010, told Brazilian outlet Globesporte.com that he wants to represent his adopted country internationally rather than wait for a shot with Brazil.
"I have expressed my desire to play for the US national team," Juninho told Globoesporte.com. "I think the US national team is closer than the Brazilian national team [for Juninho] because of the five years I've been there [in USA] and because of the knowledge I have of the league and the players. I've played a long time with Landon Donovan and he always opened my mind and this possibility is not too distant."
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The 26-year-old midfielder, who was born in Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil and debuted professionally with Sao Paulo FC in 2008, received his green card in July 2013 and no longer occupies an international roster slot for the Galaxy, the team confirmed to MLSsoccer.com, meaning he would have to wait five years from that point to formally apply for US citizenship and as such has yet to start his US citizenship application process.
Juninho has never represented Brazil, but his younger brother, Cruzeiro forward Ricardo Goulart, was called up for the first time to the Brazilian national team in August of last year by head coach Dunga.
