 Wagner had a United States passport, but had played for Germany's U18 and U21 teams earlier in his career.This gave him additional credibility with Sampson but posed a problem as he risked being considered ineligible to play for the United States.Wagner made his debut in a friendly 3–1 win over El Salvador in Los Angeles on 30 August 1996, in which he was substituted at half-time for Brian McBride.