I can vouch for him... kid feels nothing but hatred for them.Nah not saying that. That's just the same logic.
He could get better playing club soccer in Europe and representing his country at the national level. This is a situation where he could have his cake and eat it. Instead he chose the cannoli.
Or he could play both and get better x 2.
FYI, cannolis are awesome.
I'm saying that everybody is using the farce that his parents are "immigrants" as a crutch to justify this. Immigration is permanent... all I'm really saying at this point is that if he wants to be an Italian, that's fine... but don't try to move back to America after your soccer days are over.
Being an immigrant doesn’t make them permanent. Also, for all we know, his parents’ move to the US could have been job based and not necessarily out of choice. It’s not like Italy is a third world country. I visited for 8 weeks and if I could take a job there and live, well… VIVA ITALIA!
I could've gone to my choice of D3 schools and started, but instead I came to Charlotte and sat the bench the whole year, except for four matches where I played 15 min in each. To be the best, or at least get better, you have to play and train with the best every day. Rossi is much better off in Italy than here. Not only will he be playing with much more skilled players on a much better team, but he has much better chances going somewhere in the World Cup, therefore, being better off financially as well.
Different perspective Kait, the US isn’t that far behind Italian soccer as a D3 to D1 comparison. Yes, Italy is the defending World Cup champs, but now Italy is stock full of a bunch of old guys who are wearing down.
Pirlo at age 30 isn’t nearly as effective as he was 4 years ago, although he is still the most talented player on the team up front.
There’s still no way this Italian team will be able to hang with the likes of Spain, the Dutch, or Germany this World Cup, unless Buffon plays flawless football, and that’ll be asking a lot from another aging guy.
FWIW, if Rossi wants to get better why doesn’t he leave Villarreal? He could go ride the bench at Real Madrid or another power team stock with strikers and get to practice against those guys. Or he could play, learn as he plays, and play against the best. That’s the path he chose for his club venture, why not choose it for his National team venture?
As far as national team coaching, the European coaches are far overrated.
This happens to more than just the USA, and European teams just have more appeal, it's just a fact. While soccer is up and coming here, and constantly growing, it's still not the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. Rossi is playing in Italy where everyone loves him. Here, he would surely have fans, but in a country where soccer is not the top sport? Rossi chose to play for the Azzurri, and more power to him. It sucks he's not playing for the USA, but there is no use whining about it now. Cause it's impossible for him to ever come back, and he just netted two unstoppable goals on the Americans, the end.PS - The Canadian National team stinks - Owen Hargreaves is Canadian born, and could’ve played for them, yet instead plays for one of the most prestigious clubs in the world, and for England. I don’t hold anything against him, he chose the better career move.
PPS - I agree that it is a crap thing to turn your back on your country, and I don’t condone that at all. But some situations are out of control. Never did I think that Coach Lipsitz would go to Kentucky over Charlotte, but it was a better opportunity for him, and I don’t hold it against him, he is still a great coach. And I realize that that isn’t switching countries, but it still comes up when you talk about pride/loyalty.
First of all, another bad comparison, we could never pay what Kentucky can pay coach Lipsitz.
2nd of all, I don’t blame Owen at all. Canadian soccer is abysmal. The gap between American and Italian soccer on the national level isn’t even remotely close to the gap between English soccer and Canadian soccer on the national level.
If Rossi is so worried about being beloved in Italy, he needs to get the hell out of Spain and go play club soccer in Italy. Yes, soccer is the #1 sport in Italy, but you can also say that for every other European country. It isn’t like he wouldn’t get recognition or fame from playing on the USA national team, there’s many people in the US who could care less for the MLS, but are supporters of the national team.
Quite honestly, I wish for every good American player to play in Europe. I would rather see Landon Donavan scoring goals for Bayern Munich than for the LA Galaxy. It’s like players overseas coming to the NBA and playing, but I don’t see guys from Europe, South America, or Canada trying to play for the US team.
You just going to ignore the rest of what I said about him moving to Italy at age 13 to play for Parma's youth system and joined the ranks of the Italian national team at 16? IMO, with his heritage, his Italian parents, the fact that he moved to Italy almost ten years ago; he's more Italian than he is American.
So 13 years in the US and almost 10 in Italy. 13>10. And from what I understand he and his family chose to live in the US. His Italian citizenship is strictly to be able to play on the National team. If after his playing days he decides to live in the US and take a job here, I would consider him a traitor.
Different perspective Kait, the US isn't that far behind Italian soccer as a D3 to D1 comparison. Yes, Italy is the defending World Cup champs, but now Italy is stock full of a bunch of old guys who are wearing down.
Like I said, I wasn’t making a direct comparison, just saying that the US is lower than Italy, and in the coming years, I don’t see the USA being better than Italy, so why would he want to play for a worse squad? And yes, the US are catching up, but it’s actually the other way around. Like you said, Italy is wearing down… therefore, they are traveling down the list, not the USA getting much better.
There's still no way this Italian team will be able to hang with the likes of Spain, the Dutch, or Germany this World Cup, unless Buffon plays flawless football, and that'll be asking a lot from another aging guy.
Not sure if you were just stating that, but for the record, I never said they would. Spain, Holland and Germany are all powerhouses, and though Italy used to be, unless they pull a miracle out of their butts, the WC isn’t going to be their cup of tea.
First of all, another bad comparison, we could never pay what Kentucky can pay coach Lipsitz.
Again, I wasn’t saying that we could, and not making a direct comparison. Just saying that he chose the better career opportunity. As big as loyalty is, sometimes you have to go with what makes your life better. Lipsitz was a bigger 49er fan than most the people on this forum, but when the opportunity came about for him to step up in his career, he took it.
Rossi not only spent most of his soccer career in Italy, when he was invited to the USA national team in 06, he declined because it was obviously a step down from a) his Italian dream and b)a step down in level period. Yes, because he didn’t accept the invitation, he missed the chance to most likely get a LOT of PT in a World Cup (and then not even make it out of group play), but he also didn’t jeopardize his chances of playing for his dream team. Had he accepted the offer to play with the Americans, he’d be in the same crap position as the USMNT is now, minus the fact that someone else would’ve gotten the chance to net 2 goals on the US the other day.
2nd of all, I don't blame Owen at all. Canadian soccer is abysmal. The gap between American and Italian soccer on the national level isn't even remotely close to the gap between English soccer and Canadian soccer on the national level.
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that Canadian soccer is terrible. However, it’s funny when people fail to realize that the USMNT should have lost to the Canadian men’s soccer team in the 2007 gold cup. And even though the USMNT won, it was by a mere 2-1. Huge gap there, and yes, the USMNT is consistently qualifying for WCs and Canada hasn’t been to one since 1986, but the USA doesn’t seem to do a very good job of being ‘so fantastic’ when they can’t even beat a team like Canada… (they did in 2005, 2-0, woo…?)
It's like players overseas coming to the NBA and playing, but I don't see guys from Europe, South America, or Canada trying to play for the US team.
I’m not sure if I quite understand where you’re going with this statement, but I’ll reply to it how I see it. The NBA is the premier basketball league in the world… the same as the NHL is the premier hockey league in the world… Serie A, La Liga, and the Premiership are among the top soccer leagues in the world. There’s a reason players from everywhere aren’t flocking here to play, it’s because there are better opportunities elsewhere…
So 13 years in the US and almost 10 in Italy. 13>10. And from what I understand he and his family chose to live in the US. His Italian citizenship is strictly to be able to play on the National team. If after his playing days he decides to live in the US and take a job here, I would consider him a traitor.
Because… he… gave away… state soccer secrets?
Like I said, I wasn't making a direct comparison, just saying that the US is lower than Italy, and in the coming years, I don't see the USA being better than Italy, so why would he want to play for a worse squad? And yes, the US are catching up, but it's actually the other way around. Like you said, Italy is wearing down... therefore, they are traveling down the list, not the USA getting much better.Not sure if you were just stating that, but for the record, I never said they would. Spain, Holland and Germany are all powerhouses, and though Italy used to be, unless they pull a miracle out of their butts, the WC isn’t going to be their cup of tea.
Again, I wasn’t saying that we could, and not making a direct comparison. Just saying that he chose the better career opportunity. As big as loyalty is, sometimes you have to go with what makes your life better. Lipsitz was a bigger 49er fan than most the people on this forum, but when the opportunity came about for him to step up in his career, he took it.
Rossi not only spent most of his soccer career in Italy, when he was invited to the USA national team in 06, he declined because it was obviously a step down from a) his Italian dream and b)a step down in level period. Yes, because he didn’t accept the invitation, he missed the chance to most likely get a LOT of PT in a World Cup (and then not even make it out of group play), but he also didn’t jeopardize his chances of playing for his dream team. Had he accepted the offer to play with the Americans, he’d be in the same crap position as the USMNT is now, minus the fact that someone else would’ve gotten the chance to net 2 goals on the US the other day.
Don’t get me wrong, I agree that Canadian soccer is terrible. However, it’s funny when people fail to realize that the USMNT should have lost to the Canadian men’s soccer team in the 2007 gold cup. And even though the USMNT won, it was by a mere 2-1. Huge gap there, and yes, the USMNT is consistently qualifying for WCs and Canada hasn’t been to one since 1986, but the USA doesn’t seem to do a very good job of being ‘so fantastic’ when they can’t even beat a team like Canada… (they did in 2005, 2-0, woo…?)
I’m not sure if I quite understand where you’re going with this statement, but I’ll reply to it how I see it. The NBA is the premier basketball league in the world… the same as the NHL is the premier hockey league in the world… Serie A, La Liga, and the Premiership are among the top soccer leagues in the world. There’s a reason players from everywhere aren’t flocking here to play, it’s because there are better opportunities elsewhere…
FWIW, Italy and Rossi are now heading home while the US is still playing in the Confederations Cup, Shocking that such a bad US team could still be playing and such a good Italian team be eliminated :rolleyes:.
FWIW, Italy and Rossi are now heading home while the US is still playing in the Confederations Cup, Shocking that such a bad US team could still be playing and such a good Italian team be eliminated :rolleyes:.We got pretty dang lucky. I guess being lucky is better than good, but it took an own goal by Italy, Egypt just falling apart (I can't believe how bad they played today after their last two games), and a crappy goal by Davies (the other two were better) to make up a 6 goal differential. Crazy. I'm glad we're moving on, but we're still a bad team on the world stage. Now we look respectable against Spain, I'll start to change my mind.
I don’t get the vitriol against Rossi. He grew up dreaming of playing for Italy, did nothing shady to have the opportunity to play there, and now he’s getting playing time, opportunity for a bigger payday, and greater attention from the local press. He’s living his dream. None of that is true if he plays for the US. Plus, he didn’t even really develop over here, he got more training over in Italy. We’ve gotten several players on the national team that grew up in and were developed by other countries, so it’s strange to complain about this in my view.
Spanish sides generally pay better than Italian ones (at least right now), and do we know if he’s been offered comparable money to play in Serie A?
We got pretty dang lucky. I guess being lucky is better than good, but it took an own goal by Italy, Egypt just falling apart (I can't believe how bad they played today after their last two games), and a crappy goal by Davies (the other two were better) to make up a 6 goal differential. Crazy. I'm glad we're moving on, but we're still a bad team on the world stage. Now we look respectable against Spain, I'll start to change my mind.I don’t get the vitriol against Rossi. He grew up dreaming of playing for Italy, did nothing shady to have the opportunity to play there, and now he’s getting playing time, opportunity for a bigger payday, and greater attention from the local press. He’s living his dream. None of that is true if he plays for the US. Plus, he didn’t even really develop over here, he got more training over in Italy. We’ve gotten several players on the national team that grew up in and were developed by other countries, so it’s strange to complain about this in my view.
Spanish sides generally pay better than Italian ones (at least right now), and do we know if he’s been offered comparable money to play in Serie A?
Which players on our national team were developed in other countries? Just wondering about that one. Jermaine Jones isn’t on the national team yet, remember that.
Italy got a lucky as sh*t call for a straight red against Clark in the first half against the US. It’s about time a little luck fell our way.
I don’t get this, “we are still a bad team on the world stage.” Are you just echoing sentiment because it seems popular to say the US is bad in soccer or do you actually watch soccer on a club and international level?
We are certainly not “bad” on a world stage. Have we played bad in certain games? Yes, we have. But, the talent can compete and win on a world stage. Do I think we are up there with Spain, Brazil, or the Dutch? Hell no, those teams make plays this team still can’t make, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.
Because.... he.... gave away..... state soccer secrets?
??? I’m with Lew on this and thinks it’s quite simple. When you have an opportunity to represent your country I think you should do it. You take the “good” and the “bad”. I do see it fairly similar to a Charlotte grad being a Wal Mart Tarhole fan, or an illegal alien not paying taxes.
Which players on our national team were developed in other countries? Just wondering about that one. Jermaine Jones isn't on the national team yet, remember that.I was thinking more of past players that have helped us, including Thomas Dooley (Germany) and Earnie Stewart (Holland) among others. We've accepted these players gladly in the past, and I don't remember them being called traitors.
Italy got a lucky as sh*t call for a straight red against Clark in the first half against the US. It's about time a little luck fell our way.That was a crap call, but let's not call our luck today "little". I believe one of the announcers for the Italy-Brazil game referred to us needing a "miracle" result to move on to the next round, and we got it.
I don't get this, "we are still a bad team on the world stage." Are you just echoing sentiment because it seems popular to say the US is bad in soccer or do you actually watch soccer on a club and international level?We are certainly not "bad" on a world stage. Have we played bad in certain games? Yes, we have. But, the talent can compete and win on a world stage. Do I think we are up there with Spain, Brazil, or the Dutch? Hell no, those teams make plays this team still can't make, but we are certainly heading in the right direction.Sigh. Yeah, since you raise that question to try to make your point, I watch club and international, at least when I can (it's often on when I'm at work). Which certain games do you want everyone to ignore? I think our recent performances have been pretty lackluster (even today's and Honduras game were just ok, and I think Egypt looked awful today). Comparing our organization, team speed, and finishing to other countries in Europe, South America, and to a lesser extent Africa and Asia, we are lacking. I also think we benefit from playing in an easier region than those others in world cup qualifying, which makes us look better and inflates those stupid rankings. Many of our starters and bench play in Europe, but get hardly any playing time on their club teams. There's a reason it's popular to say we are not a good team, it's because it's clear to non-partisans who actually watch us play.
You brought up the key issue, it’s all in who you want to compare us to (who do you want to compare us to?). I am comparing us to the good teams, not just the elite teams, and we are lacking. It’s revealing to me that Beasley not only saw the field, but started in the last game after his recent performances. How many other good teams do you think that happens on? I don’t care if he’s got experience or Bradley is trying to help get his confidence back, that’s just crazy that he’s even considered right now for that type of playing time.
??? I'm with Lew on this and thinks it's quite simple. When you have an opportunity to represent your country I think you should do it. You take the "good" and the "bad". I do see it fairly similar to a Charlotte grad being a Wal Mart Tarhole fan, or an illegal alien not paying taxes.
Except in this case, he wouldn’t be a Charlotte grad, he would be a Tarhole grad. He came up through the Italian youth system. If you’re tapped to join a club’s youth system in Italy at age 13, you should definitely do it. He was then tapped to join the Italian u16 national team. Why is this so hard to grasp? The guy holds citizenship in both countries. It’s not that complicated.
Except in this case, he wouldn't be a Charlotte grad, he would be a Tarhole grad. He came up through the Italian youth system. If you're tapped to join a club's youth system in Italy at age 13, you should definitely do it. He was then tapped to join the Italian u16 national team. Why is this so hard to grasp? The guy holds citizenship in both countries. It's not that complicated.
Well…we’re just not going to agree I guess. We seem to be going in circles.
I said he was in the states for 13 years. 13>10. He only got Italian citizenship to be able to play soccer. His family still resides in the states. His parents are US citizens, that are immigrants from Italy. US citizen > Italian immigrant.
I also said, if after his playing days he decides to reside in the US, I would consider him a traitor. Why is that complicated?
Well...we're just not going to agree I guess. We seem to be going in circles.I said he was in the states for 13 years. 13>10. He only got Italian citizenship to be able to play soccer. His family still resides in the states. His parents are US citizens, that are immigrants from Italy. US citizen > Italian immigrant.
I also said, if after his playing days he decides to reside in the US, I would consider him a traitor. Why is that complicated?
Putting everything else aside, you’re putting way too much importance on sports. Playing a sport for another country is not a treasonous act and thus he is not a traitor. He is not helping a terrorist group. He is not selling state secrets. He is not giving away troop movements. He is not a traitor. He holds dual-citizenship and this is a free country. He is not a defector.
[QUOTE=49timesthelovin;415248]Putting everything else aside, you’re putting way too much importance on sports. Playing a sport for another country is not a treasonous act and thus he is not a traitor. He is not helping a terrorist group. He is not selling state secrets. He is not giving away troop movements. He is not a traitor. He holds dual-citizenship and this is a free country. He is not a defector.[/QUOTE]
No, he’s putting too much importance on sports for an American.
How would Italy react if a kid was born and raised in Italy by American parents turned down the Azzurri to play for the US?
No, he's putting too much importance on sports for an American.How would Italy react if a kid was born and raised in Italy by American parents turned down the Azzurri to play for the US?
Disproportionately.
No, he's putting too much importance on sports for an American.How would Italy react if a kid was born and raised in Italy by American parents turned down the Azzurri to play for the US?
Since the parents are Americans, they’d probably say good riddance.