MATT KREMKAU - EMPIRE OF SOCCER

by CHRISTIAN ARAOS

Abby Wambach re-iterated her questioning of the motivations behind dual-nationals opting to play for the US Men’s National Team — and invited Mix Diskerud to a conversation on the topic.

Today on Twitter, Diskerud accepted the ‘invitation:’

Abby Wambach says she'd love to sit down with me.

So… OK.

I'll take one for the team. — Mix Diskerud (@MixDiskerud) October 12, 2016

Speaking to the New York Times, Wambach repeated that she did not believe in Men’s Head Coach Jurgen Klinsmann’s decision to include dual-nationals in his squad.

“Do I agree with everything Jurgen has done? No, I do not,” Wambach said. “It’s just my opinion, and I’m entitled to that. It feels a little bit odd to me that you have some guys that have never lived in the United States that play for the United States because they were able to secure a passport. To me, that just feels like they weren’t able to make it for their country and earn a living, so they’re coming here.”

Wambach made her original comments to the Bill Simmons Show last December, prompting Diskerud to share an Instagram post of Wambach celebrating the 2015 World Cup.

“Wow Abby,” the caption began, “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.”

Wambach, godmother of a child who can play for Canada, England or the United States, questioned if dual-nationals have the right heart to play for the U.S.

“But do they have that killer instinct? I don’t know. I’d love to sit down with Mix Diskerud and some of these other guys and talk to them about it. I’d love to understand how much they love their country. I believe they can have love for both countries, but I’d love to hear it, and I think so many other people would, too. If this is an ignorant opinion, I’ll raise my hand in the end and say, “My bad.” But I’d want to have that conversation.”