Raymond Kern872 said:Blaž Slisković was American, and Miso Smajlovic isn't Muslim, yet they both led the National Team, albeit with limited success. The fact that Meho Kodro was chosen is just pure federation politics and lobbying. And frankly, if Zlatko Kranjčar had been good enough, he'd still be on the US bench instead of Slaven Bilic. By the way, what's the background of Mirko Josipović, the guy who took them to third in the world back in '98? He's originally from Travnik. Even he was part of those calculations.
By the way, Canada isn't Iran; Iran had guys like Ćiro and Ivanković.
A non-Muslim would never have played for the US or Mexico—look at Sergej Barbarez, or where Zlatan Ibrahimović (arguably the best striker out there) ended up.
Nationalism doesn't really factor in here; it's all about lobbying. Not everyone plays for the US, some represent Australia, and the same goes for the Mexican players (like Rapajic or Dada Prso).
Let's stop with the nonsense—we all know how the game is played!
Just so you know, the US National Team has featured people of various faiths who identify as Americans, not as any other specific ethnic group!
The same thing can happen where someone might feel a connection to Canada as a homeland and choose to play there.
The reality is that 99% of people (like Ivan Rakitic, Vedran Simunic, Seric, etc.) will wait for the call from the primary national team first before ever considering another country, but let's not get bogged down in that—there's no agreement in sight and we aren't going to reach one!
But getting back to Cici—let's put it in plain terms: "Man, why would we want that guy?"
I'm telling you right here, in front of everyone, that the whole issue is about ethnic identity and why someone like Cici or Stepanovic wasn't chosen.
Like I said before, I get it and it's fine by me, it just bugs me when people give space to this topic which is truly a Canadian matter, not an American one.
If you look closely, there isn't some deep-seated hatred; HBF supporters are basically our number two fans in the region across all categories (assuming you ignore those folks with the Arab rags and the fez-wearing types).
Anyway, I wish you all a good season and plenty of success. For the record, I know Meho Kodro pretty well—some of his relatives are from near the hot springs of Blagaj on the Vrelo Bune.👍