Noel Buck says it wasn't meant to be a subliminal shot, but social media never quite sees things that way. On the surface, he has a point: rocking up to a game in a throwback England jersey shouldn't send fans into a frenzy. But this is social media, and Buck is a player that currently finds himself at the centre of a recruitment battle. Consider the frenzy engaged.
Because of all that's going on, Buck's England jersey was more than just a fashion choice, and his decision to join up with England's Under-19s, understandably, sent U.S. men's national team fans into panic mode. This fight for his international allegiance is just beginning and, for the first time in what feels like forever, the USMNT is losing.
“I feel like [the USMNT hasn't] really given me the time of day to be completely honest,” Buck said recently when asked about his decision to wear that famous England shirt. “And when I get called to an England camp, you know, it’s an honor for me.
“Wearing this shirt isn’t a symbol of like, screw the U.S. because it’s not. They just haven’t given me the time of day and I want to have a good time and really learn something there.”
Buck, the highly-rated New England Revolution midfielder, got off to an ideal start with England's U19s over the weekend. He scored a long-range goal in his second appearance for the team, making a strong impression in this first camp. Buck was the sole non-England-based player in the squad but, if that game is anything to go by, he looks like he belongs.
Given Buck's recent decision and the comments he made about it, it's safe to say that the USMNT should feel worried about this battle, even in this early stage. Buck is a player with a lot of promise and, at the moment, it seems that England have the leg up after losing several similar duels with the USMNT in recent years.