Jordan Siebatcheu nets brace in Stade Rennais rout

Stade Rennais took down Nîmes Olympique by a 4-0 score in Ligue 1 action at Roazhon Park today. American-born striker Theoson-Jordan “Jordy” Siebatcheu had two goals and an assist in the victory.

Already up 2-0, the 22-year-old put the match away in the 47th minute, when he coolly converted a a perfectly placed centering pass from Ismaïla Sarr.

Siebatcheu added his second in the 67th minute, fortuitously finding himself in the right place to pounce on a rebound. After being substituted, he received a standing ovation for his performance.

Rennes is currently enjoying a minor resurgence after a slow start to the season. Les Rougs et Noirs had three wins in its first 11 matches, resulting in manager Sabri Lamouchi’s firing. His recently hired replacement, 38-year-old Julien Stéphan (in his first job), has yet to drop points and steered the club to the Europa League knockout rounds.

Siebatcheu has thrived under his new manager, scoring three goals in as many matches. He’s struggled to find the net since moving over from Stade de Reims, but it appears he’s exorcised the demons and regained the torrid form he displayed in Ligue 2.

Siebatcheu has yet to commit his national team future, and remains eligible to play for France, Cameroon, or the United States. His only international appearances were in two matches for the France U-21 team in June of 2017. According to a report from The Athletic in October, he declined a call-up from U.S. Soccer for June’s friendly against France. While he has expressed interest in playing for the USMNT, he remains steadfast in his public desire to play for France.

Some fans and pundits may be turned off by Siebatcheu’s unwillingness to commit to the United States, but the federation would be wise to continue its pursue of him. The USMNT is always in need of goal scorers, and he appears to be a player with a very high ceiling who will continue to compete in top flights for the next decade. It’s a bitter pill to swallow that he wants to suit up for the current World Cup holders, but it’s also very unlikely that he’ll be able to break into France’s stacked rotation of young attackers. The USMNT is fine without Siebatcheu, but it’s hard to imagine that the current front line wouldn’t be improved by his presence.