Cowell falls on his international future as a dual national player ‘I could really play for both’

By Lizzy Becherano

Cade Cowell is among the dual national players approaching a major international decision.

The San Jose Earthquakes player can represent both the United States and Mexico, as a US citizen with family ties to Mexico. Cowell’s maternal grandfather allowed Cade and his younger brother Chance to submit the necessary paperwork for a Mexican passport in May 2022.

Until now, the attacker has only played for the United States men’s national teamworking at youth level before earning his first senior cap on 25 January 2023. Mexico have yet to call him up for a training camp or friendlies.

But he insists on taking a pragmatic approach to international football, leaving both options open.

“It’s nice to know that I have the possibility, you have to have an open mind. I could really play for both. If one doesn’t call me, I can play for the other. It really is what it is,” she exclusively told 90min.

Cowell stressed the decision won’t be emotional, admitting he doesn’t have a strong connection to Mexico.

“I mean, I honestly don’t have a huge connection [with Mexico.] I’ve only been away for football. My brother has been so much more than me, so I’m sure the connection of him is so much more. But I don’t have much of a connection to the country.

While Cowell previously played for the USA team, he remains eligible to play for Mexico without requiring FIFA’s One Time Switch as the matches were unofficial friendlies. But with Nation’s League fixtures coming up in March, engagement is on the horizon.

At club level, the striker will enter his fifth professional season with the San Jose Earthquakes Serie A football, where he had nine goals and 12 assists in 81 appearances. He made his debut in 2019 after working at Quakes Academy to get a Homegrown Player contract.

But it wasn’t until 2021 that Cowell began leading the offense for the California team, recording five goals and six assists for the team. Although the Quakes have seen a dip in form, finishing in the bottom half of the Western Conference table in recent years, new manager Luchi Gonzalez is confident Cowell can inspire success.

This article was originally posted on 90min.com as Cowell falls on his international future as a dual national player ‘I could really play for both’.