Football
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Hamburg's Ashton Gotz set for United States chance, says agent

Hamburg right-back Ashton Gotz could be the next German-American to represent United States after receiving a personal call from coach Jurgen Klinsmann, according to the player's agent.

Gotz, 21, was promoted to the first team by Hamburg boss Joe Zinnbauer, who spent the first few games of the season in charge of the under-23 side before replacing Mirko Slomka in September 2014.

Zinnbauer brought Gotz on in the final minute of his second match in charge -- a 1-0 defeat at Borussia Monchengladbach on Sept. 24 -- and the youngster has since gone on to make a total of 10 appearances for the first team.

Gotz, who signed a new Hamburg contract during the winter break, told American Soccer Now last year that he had "thought about playing for the U.S. a lot of times."

However, he suggested he may face potential problems obtaining an American passport as he has no contact with his father.

According to Hamburger Morgenpost, Matthias Hamann -- the U.S. scout in Europe -- approached Gotz towards the end of 2014, while Klinsmann called the right-back to discuss his availability last week.

"Ashton feels honoured and is very interested," Gotz's agent Bjorn Gerke told the newspaper.

Hamburger Morgenpost claims Gotz could join the U.S. squad on their trip to Europe in late-March, when they come up against Denmark and Switzerland.

"Ashton is intent on jumping at the chance. The U.S. right-back position is vacant right now," Gerke added.

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