Justin Meram, a Michigan native and Columbus Crew SC midfielder who plays for the Iraq national team, has never been to Iraq. Nor has he ever been to his parents’ hometown. Despite all of this – not to mention the 28-hour travel days – he has chosen to represent Iraq’s national team, debuting for the team in 2014 and scoring two goals in 17 appearances to date. Although Meram was born and raised in Michigan, he grew up in a household heavily influenced by his parents’ heritage, eating Arabic food at least five times a week while learning Chaldean, an Arabic dialect.
“I think ultimately it comes down to their happiness, because they don’t have much happiness currently,” Meram told the Columbus Dispatch following a win versus Thailand in September. He later added, “What better way to make an impact than for an American to play for the country that his family grew up in and his culture? It’s been the greatest decision I’ve had in my life.”
“I think ultimately it comes down to their happiness, because they don’t have much happiness currently,” Meram told the Columbus Dispatch following a win versus Thailand in September. He later added, “What better way to make an impact than for an American to play for the country that his family grew up in and his culture? It’s been the greatest decision I’ve had in my life.”
Columbus Crew SC – now perhaps the most popular foreign soccer club in Iraq – sent dozens of jerseys to schoolchildren in the country earlier this year. On top of all of this, Meram was connected to the Iraqi football association by Yousif Alkhafajy, a student who scoured the Internet for players around the world with Iraqi heritage.
Now one game away from helping Crew SC to their first MLS Cup since 2008 after scoring the fastest goal in MLS playoff history, Meram is enjoying one of his finest seasons as a professional. He started a career-high 28 regular season matches while chipping in with six goals and a career-high five assists. Columbus travels to Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN Go).
Now one game away from helping Crew SC to their first MLS Cup since 2008 after scoring the fastest goal in MLS playoff history, Meram is enjoying one of his finest seasons as a professional. He started a career-high 28 regular season matches while chipping in with six goals and a career-high five assists. Columbus travels to Red Bull Arena to face the New York Red Bulls on Sunday, Nov. 29 at 7:30 p.m. ET (FS1, FOX Deportes, TSN Go).
By: Editor
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