Nathaniel Brown reveals he rejected USMNT approach to pursue Germany dream
Eintracht Frankfurt defender Nathaniel Brown has revealed he turned down an approach from the United States Soccer Federation last year to commit his international future to Germany. The 22-year-old, who made his senior debut for Germany in October, disclosed the contact in an interview with Sport Bild, stating his decision was driven by his upbringing and personal history.
Brown, born in Amberg to an American father and a German mother, was eligible to represent either nation. He explained that a call from U.S. soccer officials came approximately a year ago, but he declined immediately. "I immediately said that I only want to play for Germany. This is where my roots are, I grew up here," Brown said. He added that having no contact with his biological father in the United States made the choice clear, emphasizing, "I grew up German, so it was always my goal to play for the DFB."
At the time of the approach, Brown was already an established Germany Under-21 international. His subsequent progression culminated in a senior debut last autumn, and he was part of Germany's squad for the March international friendlies. The young defender is now aiming to secure a place in Julian Nagelsmann's final squad for the upcoming World Cup. "Of course, I just want to be there – in any role. It’s my childhood dream, and that would make me extremely happy," Brown said.
Brown also discussed the specific demands placed on him by national team coach Julian Nagelsmann. He noted that Nagelsmann wants him to exhibit more personality and leadership on the pitch. "He sees that I am already becoming more of a leader through my role as one of the captains at Eintracht, but he demands even more emotion and vocal presence on the pitch," Brown explained. Acknowledging his quieter nature off the field, he believes this aspect of his game will develop with age and experience.
The defender's commitment represents a notable decision in the international recruitment landscape, where dual-national players are often heavily courted. For Germany, securing Brown's allegiance adds a promising, homegrown talent to their defensive ranks for the long term. For the United States, it marks a missed opportunity to integrate a Bundesliga-caliber player who could have bolstered their defensive options. Brown's focus now remains on continuing his development at Eintracht Frankfurt and fulfilling his dream of representing Germany at a major tournament.
