FRANCE 98 – General Media News Template
Less than one month after becoming an American citizen, Martinique-born former Frenchman David Regis expects to be a World Cup defender when his new homeland plays in his old one. Barring a surprise in Saturday’s final United States tuneup here against Scotland, the left-footed standout from the German Bundesliga will fill the final vacancy on the US World Cup roster for France. “I think it’s just a matter of time before I name David Regis,” US coach Steve Sampson said.
Regis was natualized May 20 in Los Angeles under a little-used rule to expidite the process so Regis could be set to start at left back for the US team, which opens June 15 against Germany. “It will be special to play in France. Playing in my country but not for my country will be very ironic,” Regis said. “The colors I will defend are American but I’m still French. It’s difficult to forget so many years in the culture.”
Sampson found Regis difficult to forget after seeing him play for Karlsruher, where he scored five goals.
“He comes froward with fluidity and scores goals in the flow of the game,” Sampson said. “He is a very talented player who adds speed in the back. I’m very impressed with his play.”
Regis sparked no interest from the French World Cup squad, but agent Michael Becker contacted Sampson and told him about Regis’ American-born bride Nikki. The couple celebrates their third anniversary next month and they have a one-year-old daughter. Most people must wait three years after marrying a US citizen to apply for citizenship themselves. But the process can be hastened if the US spouse works abroad.
In early April, the US Soccer Federation helped Regis’ wife land a job in France-with the same travel firm that has a business deal with US Soccer to sell World Cup tickets in the United States. “I know there are people who fight for years to have this,” Regis said of his citizenship, which was rewarded with a flag signed by the US team and a chorus of “The Star-Spangled Banner” sang by his new teammates.
“That’s my next step, to learn the words to the national anthem,” said Regis, who knows he is likely denying a spot to a native-born American who has been dreaming and working longer for the honor. “It’s unfortunate, but it’s the law of sport,” Regis said. “Players come and go in soccer. It’s normal. Coming in three weeks before is difficult. I know there are lots of players who want to get to this level. They have to understand. It’s the law of sport.” Jeff Agoos, a US defender born in Switzerland, helped Regis study for his citizenship test knowing full well Regis passing the test might cut his playing time.
“It’s difficult. I won’t lie,” Agoos said. “Myself and the other guys have fought for a long time, put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears.”
Regis is the seventh US player born in another land. Yugoslavian-born Preki Radosavljevic and South African-born Roy Wegerle play for the US team as a result of marrying American women. German-born US captain Thomas Dooley and Dutchman Ernie Stewart were naturalized because each had an American serviceman for a parent. Dooley said his own adjustment was much easier than that of Regis so far.
“It’s much worse for David,” Dooley said. “He speaks French and a little German, but it’s almost impossible to have a conversation with him.”
US midfielder Tab Ramos and his family emigrated from Uruguay when he was 10. He does not worry that US talent development has been slow. “We should have the best players we can have,” Ramos said. “Does that mean we should go around the world making everyone a citizen? No. We have to look at players like Thomas Dooley and Roy Wegerle. They made an improvement to the team. I think the next World Cup will be played by American products.”
But for now, the US team must rely on imports the way Jamaica’s “Reggae Boyz” needed several English players to qualify. Regis, 29, was the youngest of 10 children of a retired French Navy veteran and a teacher. Before becoming a citizen, he had only twice been in the United States.
“I believe in the sport of soccer, when there’s a player who can bring you a little more, it’s normal that you have to accept him,” Regis said. “A lot of people have supported me. I want to justify their effort to get me here on this team.”