What Onyewu going to Fulham FC means for the USMNT.

There are some interesting thoughts on the prospect of Gooch signing with Fulham FC and it's impact on the national team.

Some people have suggested that if the reports that AC Milan and Real Madrid are also interested in his services, than he should take those more seriously than the the lower profile Fulham one. I tend to reject this for the reason that I think it would be better that he be starting at Fulham against top Premiere League competition than riding the pine at the other two mega-clubs. Experience trumps all, especially that gained from playing in meaningful matches.

The things that his signing with Fulham would mean to the USMNT is that Onyewu would be playing against top level competition, which he wasn't in Belgium. Experience at a high level will be the biggest attribute he could bring the the national team. Also, it would pair him with Carlos Bocanegra on the back line, breeding a chemistry and familiarity that could prove to be a great asset in national team games.

Dotted lines have yet to be signed though, so as of now these are all "what ifs" and "could bes". If I had to wager, though, I'd say he signs with them. He would still need to get a work permit but back when he was supposed to go to Middlesbrough, there wasn't much of a concern he wouldn't get one.

Additionally, the low transfer amount of $1.96 million seems to have caught some people off guard. However, when Middlesbrough was going to sign him, the transfer amount was only $1.8 million.