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News, Blog and GuidesSan Jose winger Cowell, 20, qualifies to play for Chivas Guadalajara despite being a United States international.
Fernando Salazarmc_dielfWilliam AllenWAS_AllenUpdate: Jan 5th, 2024 06:55 EST
Marcelo RuizEFE
Chivas Guadalajara are reportedly eyeing a move for United States international Cade Cowell, as Los Rojiblancos look to bolster their squad ahead of the Liga MX’s Clausura 2024 tournament.
According to Fox Sports México, Chivas chiefs have been in talks with Cowell’s club, MLS franchise San Jose Earthquakes, over the past couple of weeks.
However, the Guadalajarans – who replaced head coach Veljko Paunovic with Fernando Gago last month – face competition for the 20-year-old’s signature. Clubs from Europe are also believed to be interested in signing the winger, Fox says.
How does Cowell qualify to play for Chivas?
Chivas’ club rules only allow footballers born in Mexico or of Mexican heritage to play for the 12-time domestic champions.
Cowell’s mother is Mexican, so despite representing the US in international soccer, the youngster is eligible to turn out for Guadalajara. Indeed, he holds dual US-Mexican citizenship.
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Cowell has played over 100 games for the Earthquakes.Icon SportswireGetty Images
International with tournament experience
A player who has made 114 appearances for the Earthquakes since his debut in 2019, Cowell was given his USMNT bow in 2021 and has gone on to win a total of eight caps for the Stars and Stripes.
He was part of the USMNT squad that reached the semi-finals of last summer’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, appearing in every game for Gregg Berhalter’s side.
Despite being eligible to play for Mexico, Cowell has said his closer relationship with the US national-team set-up meant that choosing his international allegiance was an easy decision.
“I chose the US because I’ve always been part of the US,” he told reporters last year. “They’ve called me since under-15 camps. I never got a chance with Mexico and so I really just stuck with the US and they’ve treated me really well here. That’s all it is for me.”
