It hasn't been a full season yet, but Joel Lindpere is already rising to a status of Metro hero. The first goal at Red Bull Arena versus Santos and the first MLS goal against Chicago put him on that path. While we once might have feared that Joel is only a tourist, that is clearly not the case. His tireless workrate, competitiveness, and determination earned him a place in the hearts of Metro fans.

And then there are the Estonians, Joel's countrymen who embraced MLS and and our club ever since Lindpere was signed. They flooded the ballot box for the all-star game for Joel's name, they frequent this and other website for the latest tidbit of RBNY info, they stay up late to watch MLS matches. Hooray for the Estonians.

But for a European, playing in MLS as opposed to Europe comes with a price (and no, we don't mean the hit that it takes on most players' wallets). If a player is good enough to play for his national team, the travel is gruesome. And with MLS not adhering to the international calendar, jetting over to Europe to help your country can have a hugely negative effect on your club team.

So it came as no surprise when Lindpere rejected Estonia's call for their first Euro 2012 qualifier against the Faroe Islands. Everything came up roses that time: his countrymen beat the minnows, be it with two late goals, and Joel scored the only goal against Toronto. But now, Estonia is to face a much stronger opponent, Italy. And Lindpere has rejected the call-up again; in fact, he said he will not play for his country for the rest of the year.

Now, here we have the classic example of club versus country. Who does the player's allegiance lie? The club that pays him or the country that honors him? The fans that support him week in and week because of his club or those who do because he is a representative of their nation?

At the end, the decision must lie with the player himself. And Joel has made his priorities clear, and we have no choice but to applaud him for it.

We understand if the Estonians feel otherwise.