Najar not ready to make national team decisions

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Having finally concluded his astonishing rookie season this week, D.C. United starlet Andy Najar remains grounded as he heads into what promises to be an eventful winter for him and his club.

In the four weeks since United’s final match of 2010, Najar has already won the MLS Rookie of the Year award, turned down a call-up to the Honduran national team and made plans for a December training stint in Europe.

“I think I’m going to Spain, but I don’t know what club,” Najar said of his offseason trip this week. “I’m just waiting for the news. It’s exciting. You know, it’s my dream to go there and just practice with a club there. A great opportunity.”

But the 17-year-old is taking his time as he negotiates the newfound pressures of stardom, especially the ongoing speculation regarding his international career.

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He and his teammates are eager for some time away from the daily training grind and he acknowledges feeling some fatigue after a draining year. But he also sounds determined to continue his personal development and make a seamless transition into 2011.

“I’ll just stay home with my family, spend time with them,” he said when asked about other winter plans. “I feel a little tired but I need to keep playing and practicing, to get ready for the next year.”

Najar also reiterated his determination to put off any national team opportunities until he’s made further progress in his club career and completed his high school equivalency studies.

“I’m just waiting to take that decision,” the Choluteca-born winger said. “I’m too young and I want to have enough time with my family going forward.”

Najar admits to being taken aback by the media frenzy that has erupted over his international career. His reluctance to join Los Catrachos has sparked fears in Honduras that he might join the United States national team upon completion of the naturalization process. One report even concocted false statements that were attributed to his father, himself a former professional player back in Choluteca.

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“Yeah, I was surprised about that,” he said. “But you know, it just doesn’t matter for me. I just keep playing and doing my work.

“They’re very emotional about that but I’m just looking forward. I don’t care about that – I’m just waiting.”

Perhaps most importantly, Najar says he has the full backing of his father no matter what he decides.

“He said, ‘You have the last word,’” Najar said. “‘You have to decide about that. We are going to support you in everything you do. You decide Honduras or USA and we are going to support you.’”