Mix Diskerud has responded to Abby Wambach’s comments criticizing the selection of foreign-born players for the United States men’s national team.
Before playing her final game for the USWNT on Wednesday, Wambach spoke out about how she didn’t agree with Jurgen Klinsmann’s system of bringing foreign players such as Jermaine Jones and Fabian Johnson into the national team setup.
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That led to a response from USMNT and NYCFC midfielder Mix Diskerud, who was born in Norway to an American mother. Diskerud posted the following message on his Instagram account, criticizing Wambach’s comments.
Wow Abby, I guess there are pros and cons in limiting the base for selection. You have just singled out a few of us. But why? Why are we your single oddballs? Think about who you try to disenfranchise. Because if you see us as the group to disenfranchise, then at least let it be known who we are. Stats and history will show – "our group" has more than others produced volunteer and defending soldiers for what, by us, is willingly chosen and gathered to be worth protecting: Your nation. Wish you would accept it as ours too. I know we're not quite equal. From "your group of people" the country's Commander in Chief need to be selected. However, other than that – you and I share something not unique, but constitutionally earned, a birthright to defend this nation as an American. Wherever we go. Led by whoever has earned, by democratic process, his/her right to lead, on or off the field, in peace, in war, in practice, or in any other kind of pursuit of your happiness. Enjoy your retirement. But stay active. We all need you. Oddballs or not. Mix
A photo posted by Mix Diskerud (@mixdiskerud) on Dec 17, 2015 at 11:15am PST
Klinsmann has relied on plenty of European-born talent to play for the USMNT, with Jones, Johnson, and Diskerud just to name a few. While you could criticize Klinsmann for a number of reasons during his tenure in charge, using “foreign” players certainly is not one of them.
