Alex Bunbury savours son's success, feels blues over unwarranted shots at Teal

[loyola]

Tough situation for Alex!

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/sports/breakingnews/alex-bunbury-savours-sons-success-feels-blues-over-unwarranted-shots-at-teal-133057928.html

[Lord Bob]

I can never expect Alex to be anything less than totally supportive of Teal regardless of the decisions he makes, and I'd never think a father would do anything other than defend his son against public criticism.

That doesn't mean Alex is right.

[The Ref]

After square head Osieck totally ignored Alex, in spite of Alex being the best forward for Canada at the time, I feel for the man.

[tyler453]

I understand him defending his son, but you don't come out to the press and say "it just wouldn't feel right playing for the USA" when really it's vice-versa. For Teal and Alex, it shouldn't have been anything out of what they expected.

He hyped us up by saying he's committed to Canada and then out of the blue chooses the USA. How else would they expect people to react? "Oh we understand". Yeah right.

[ditty]

After square head Osieck totally ignored Alex, in spite of Alex being the best forward for Canada at the time, I feel for the man.

I don't remember this. Details???

[Sam]

I can never expect Alex to be anything less than totally supportive of Teal regardless of the decisions he makes, and I'd never think a father would do anything other than defend his son against public criticism.

That doesn't mean Alex is right.

Agree with this. Alex obviously can't do anything but support his son. But that doesn't mean his son isn't a traitor.

[BuzzAndSting]

I have no sympathy for Teal or his father. Alex is a great Canadian and was a hero of mine growing up but his son must be accountable and honest. If Teal didn't feel 100% Canadian he should have never suited up in red and white at the youth level and should have never said he'd play for Canada at the senior level. Obviously those who wish Teal harm are way out of line, it is just a game after all, but to call him a traitor I think is very appropriate.

[theaub]

I think I still have the "Where's Teal?" sign from Detroit in my house somewhere

[adrenaline11]

I understand where he's coming from in that Teal felt peer pressured to accept Canadian call ups. Perhaps the interview with CBC where he said that it would be wrong to play for the U.S. was just him not thinking carefully before he spoke and the words coming out before he could stop them. I can see a strong arguement for why he would feel more American than Canadian for sure, but when you think about it...

Either Teal Bunbury has the IQ of a chair or this is some really, cruel prank. Dammit if he didn't feel Canadian, he had 20 years to say "no, I don't want to play for this team anymore." When he's not playing soccer, I'm sure he's got plenty of downtime to think about what he's going to say to the Canadian media and he could've prepared himself for the inevitable questions about playing for the senior team. But he DIDN'T. What Alex doesn't understand is that his son teased us and he didn't have to, but he still did it knowingly.

Oh and why is Alex saying all this now? Where was this interview when Teal made the decision? If he wanted to cover his ass from all the hatred, he should've said something a whole lot earlier too like right after the interview with CBC. Is he suddenly suprised to see so many people care to come out to soccer games in Vancouver and Toronto? Is he suprised that so many people where turned off by this decision and instead of taking it up the ass again, they did something about it?

Like Lord Bob said, Alex can defend his son but it doesn't mean he's right.

[A_Gagne]

Always, respect a guy going to bat for his son... but I'm calling BS! Wasn't he explicitly quoted as saying he made the switch because he thought he'd stand a better shot at playing in a WC with the USA.

That's about as credible as the ********** was "snubbed" by Canada attempted sob story... was he also "snubbed" by Wales?... as the boys from the Footy Show would say... "Not 'Avin It".

[Free kick]

After square head Osieck totally ignored Alex, in spite of Alex being the best forward for Canada at the time, I feel for the man.

Huh? Alex bunbury had retired from soccer in 2000.

[canucklefan]

Always, respect a guy going to bat for his son... but I'm calling BS! Wasn't he explicitly quoted as saying he made the switch because he thought he'd stand a better shot at playing in a WC with the USA.

That's about as credible as the ********** was "snubbed" by Canada attempted sob story... was he also "snubbed" by Wales?... as the boys from the Footy Show would say... "Not 'Avin It".

+1. I think Teal wanted to play for Canada and his father as well, but his agent convinced him to change sides.

[The Ref]

Huh? Alex bunbury had retired from soccer in 2000.

I believe this happened in 1999 when Osieck took charge. After being ignored is when he retired.

[jpg75]

I believe this happened in 1999 when Osieck took charge. After being ignored is when he retired.

He retired internationally in '99 after the Osieck snub (didn't even get a phone call or thank you of any kind), but continued to play in MLS until 2000 when he got injured early that season and then retired at the end of that year.

[zeelaw]

He sure felt it was appropriate to be Canadian when he could take advantage of it.

****er.

[EDM Rover]

Poor Teal - taking some stick from the few fans who've bothered to follow his career. If this is the worst "abuse" he suffers as a player, he's lucky.

[Soju]

Is Teal Bunbury a child? Why doesn't he talk to us himself and apologize for lying instead of letting his father do it. That would've put this to rest ages ago.

[Guest uno]

+1. I think Teal wanted to play for Canada and his father as well, but his agent convinced him to change sides.

i don't understand how it's possible, unless you intend not to play for your country.

[jrue17]

This is just a question but... is he still eligible to play for Canada seeing how i believe his only appearances for the US have been exibition games?

[Obinna]

This is just a question but... is he still eligible to play for Canada seeing how i believe his only appearances for the US have been exibition games?

I don't think so because you are only allowed to switch nations once. Same reason that Lensky is no longer available to us

[canucklefan]

i don't understand how it's possible, unless you intend not to play for your country.

Uno, I thought someone like you who knows well the world of football should understand that. There's no honour in representing your country. Sadly, we can say that football is a filth business. Playing for England or Holland gives you more market value, as a football player, than playing for Canada, sadly it is true for the USNT as well.

Hell, even Tevez said that playing these days for the Argentinean NT takes you off prestige. Why didn't he say something like he's proud to represent the Argentinean NT?

IMO, not the majority of players around the world will play with the only purpose to honour his country.

[Califax]

It's mean to hope he never gets called up? Right. I'm proud of Alex and all, and like others, don't blame him for defending his son but get a clue. That same passage where he talks about "but you told people you would play for Canada" should give him insight as to why we are mad. If he understands his kid screwed up and went all 'after school special' and 'doing what was right in his heart', then he should understand the there are people who will never forgive him for it. Do I wish injury on him? No. Do I hope he never gets to play soccer again for his adopted country? 100%.

[Guest Ed]

If Teal never suits up for the USA in CONCACAF qualifying again, I'll be happy with that. Injury or not. Alex was a hero to me in the 90's but surely he's lost his marbles if he thinks Canadian supporters are going to have anything nice to say about a Cdn born kid playing for our direct competition.

[gator]

If Teal never suits up for the USA in CONCACAF qualifying again, I'll be happy with that. Injury or not. Alex was a hero to me in the 90's but surely he's lost his marbles if he thinks Canadian supporters are going to have anything nice to say about a Cdn born kid playing for our direct competition.

That about sums up my thoughts on him too! I got to know Alex a bit when he was playing in Hamilton, he did some clinics with teams I was coaching, was a great mentor for the kids , people can change!

[grigorio]

I think we better savour the few times that Teal doesn't get called to the US squad because I see him as a key cog for the next decade. They aren't particularly gifted up front and a fast, strong, tall 21 year old who will surely make a move from the MLS in the next couple years to a fairly prominent league is quite the prized possession... Better get used to this folks as much as it's going to burn.