'The absence of Mexican Americans is only one oddity in the USA World Cup team,' writes Dave Hannigan (via IrishTimesSport)
“There are so many talented kids playing soccer in little cities like Oxnard, but nobody seems to see them,” said David Ochoa, a Californian who declared for Mexico at Under-21 level after feeling unwelcome in American youth squads. “There are more than 35 million people living in the US who were either born in Mexico or have Mexican origins, but hardly any of them are playing soccer professionally here. It’s really weird, right? There should be many more.
“It is not the figure,” said Zlatan Ibrahimovic of being asked to pay $7,000 per season for his 11- and 13-year-old sons to join a team in Los Angeles. “It’s the concept. I dislike it very much because not everyone has the money needed and the sport should be something for everyone because it unites people of whatever origin.”35 per cent of those who play soccer in America are from households with annual income over $100,000.
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