PORTLAND TIMBERS ATTACKER Darlington Nagbe is a serious talent, possessing the sort of explosiveness that generate momentum and influence the outcomes of games.

He starred at the University of Akron, winning the 2010 national championship. In 2011 he was selected by Portland with the second overall draft pick. Since then he has scored 21 goals in MLS. And last week he achieved another meaningful milestone when he became an American citizen after living in the United States since 2001.

The Liberian-born Nagbe, 25, received his green card in 2012 and because he is married to an American citizen, the wait for citizenship was just under three years. He recently passed his citizenship test and was sworn in as a citizen afterward.

“It's been a long time,” Nagbe said. “I've been waiting for this day. I'm excited about it.”

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Following the oath, Nagbe celebrated by having lunch with his family. It was a happy occasion that marked not just a personal goal but also a dream realized for his mother who brought Darlington and his siblings to the United States in hope of a better life.

It was only fitting that she was the first person Nagbe called as an American.

“I called my mom and she was the most excited about it,” Nagbe said. “My mom moved here initially for that reason—to get a better education and to become U.S. citizens. So far everything has worked out the way she planned it to.”

Becoming an American citizen is a deeply personal achievement for Nagbe on many levels. Personally, it is rewarding because it strengthens his bond with the country that has given him so many opportunities. Professionally, it also opens the door to translating his soccer talent from the club level to the international level.

His strengths as a player are well established. He has speed and skill on the ball which at times can make magic happen. His development, however, has been slowed due to the fact he has failed to settle in at one specific position and instead lines up across a variety of spots both centrally and out wide.

When he is in form, however, he can be a true game changer. His teammates are quick to praise his talent and skill which was on vivid dispay against Kansas City in 2011—a strike that won the league’s Goal of the Year award

Portland coach Caleb Porter is hopeful that Nagbe will get a look with the U.S. national team soon.

“I think he’s excited about it, he’s excited about the opportunity," Porter said. "But there’s no guarantee that even with his citizenship that Jurgen wants to call him in. We hope that happens. I think he’s good enough to get that opportunity."

Soccer runs strong in the Nagbe family. Darlington’s father, Joe Nagbe, captained the Liberian national team and featured in the squad from 1985 through 2001, earning 96 caps during that span.

Now that he is eligible to wear the Stars and Stripes, Nagbe is more open to discussing his ambition to play for the United States national team. For now, however, he is just going to focus on doing his best for the Timbers—which is no doubt the best path to catching Jurgen Klinsmann's eye. A January 2016 camp call-up does not seem out of the question.

“There is still no contact from [U.S. Soccer] but hopefully in the future I would like to get a call-up,” Nagbe said. “What I can bring? I am not sure. They have a lot of great players that play here and overseas. Hopefully they want me. It'd be a great opportunity to play with top players. It'd be fun. For me I am just going to come out here [for Portland] and do what I do every single game. Hopefully that is good enough.

“Not a lot of people get the opportunity to go there to wear the jersey and represent their country,” he added. “They say it is a fun experience and every player, including myself, looks forward to it.”

Brian Sciaretta is an American Soccer Now columnist and an ASN 100 panelist. Follow him on Twitter.