International Rapids

An interesting discussion came up on BigSoccer this week about how the Red Bulls have started a lineup of 11 players from 11 different countries. So I decided to take a look at the Rapids roster to see how close I could come. I can come up with a Rapids lineup of 11 players who have eligibility for 11 different national teams, but one has already passed on it. We would have to play a 3-5-2, but its a lineup I could see us using in a U.S. Open Cup game or maybe even a CONCACAF champion's League game against a very weak opponent or if we had already qualified for the next round.

GK: Ceus - Haiti*

DF: Kimura - Japan

DF: Moor - U.S.

DF: Earls - Ireland

MF: Nyassi - Gambia

MF: Nane - Cameroon

MF: Janniere - Canada

MF: Smith - Scotland

MF: Kandji - Senegal**

FW: Cummings - Jamaica

FW: Folan - England***

* = Born in the U.S. to Haitian parents, plays for the Haitian National Team

** = Kandji was born in Senegal but claimed asylum in Gambia and has announced his intention to play for Gambia

*** = Born in England but has chosen to play for Ireland due to Irish grandparents

This doesn't include Pablo, who was born in Argentina (and obviously chose to play for the U.S.), or Marshall who's Jamaican.

What does this mean? Nothing really, but its an interesting look at the roster which covers 12 different countries on 5 different continents. Only Oceania is not represented on thee team.