In November, Landon Donovan appeared on CBS Sports show KICKIN’ IT, where he clarified about his controversial comments on dual-national USMNT players during the Gold Cup that got a lot of attention.

Donovan admitted that after being omitted from the 2014 World Cup squad, he told Jurgen Klinsmann that there were guys Klinsmann was taking to Brazil that didn’t care about the team and wouldn’t return to the U.S. after the World Cup.

He also said that he cared a lot more about the USMNT than the dual-national players he came across, although he clarified Jermaine Jones wasn’t one of those players he was aiming these comments at.

This week, it was Jones’ turn to appear on KICKIN’ IT, where he was asked about Donovan’s comments on dual-nationals.

Jones, now living in California, had watched the full episode with Donovan, and he was ready to respond to the opinions of his former teammate.

“When I came to this country, I did everything I was asked to. I learned the language and tried to be like everyone else born and raised here,” Jones began. “But I don’t feel the same appreciation because I wasn’t born here.” 

“You can say some guys just play for the country and leave after the World Cup. But I can turn around and say am I getting the same appreciation I would get if I was born here?” 

“When I played in the Champions League, people would say that’s an American player. When I played for the USMNT, I’m the half German guy.” 

“When you see where I played and what I did, I strongly believe if I was born in the U.S., I’d be getting more opportunities.” 

“I was 18 years old and playing in the Bundesliga. There wasn’t a lot of Americans in my age group who did that.” 

“But then a lot of those guys are Hall of Famers and everything. I’m not saying I need that, but I strongly believe if I was born in the U.S., you can sell the whole thing better. I would be a Hall of Famer or coaching at a higher level.” 

“At the end, it’s like a product you’re trying to sell. I’m proud to be half German and half American. They are both my roots.” 

Having been an assistant coach with the U.S. U-19s, Jones know how much of a melting pot this country is, and how diversity is one of the best strengths of U.S. soccer. 

“I’ve worked with the youth system, the U.S. U-19s. The majority of the kids, their parents aren’t Americans, and they connect more with me.” 

“Why do we care where people were born and where they were not born? If you put everything down, live the same way people live here, and accept the culture and all that stuff, it doesn’t matter where you were born.” 

Born in Germany, Jones spent the first seven years of his life living in the U.S.— mostly in Chicago and Mississippi. After his parents’ divorce, he moved back to Germany with German mother, and lost all connection with his American father.

Part of the reasons he opted to play for the USMNT is to connect with his American side more and also with his American father, which he eventually did. He even ended up getting a U.S. flag tattooed on his knee.

Jones finished his USMNT career with 69 caps, representing them in the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Copa América Centenario. He is now head coach of Central Valley Fuego in California, and is aiming to reach the top level slowly.