The deal with Giuseppe Rossi

Will he or won't he? That seems to be the hot question surrounding whether Giuseppe Rossi will actually consider playing for the U.S. national team and change his mind about playing for Italy.

Why the sudden spark in interest? It comes on the heels of Bob Bradley admitting that Rossi has been contacted about the possibility of playing for the United States. Here's the thing. There isn't much to this story aside from the admission that U.S. Soccer has been in touch with Rossi.

"He's in a position to consider what he wants to try to do," Bradley told SBI on Monday night. "Up until now he has played for some of the Italian youth teams and U.S. Soccer hs continued to reach out to find out what he wants to do."

Does it mean that Bradley is calling Rossi regularly? No. That US Soccer contacted Rossi shouldn't really come as a surprise. He is still American despite his decision to play for the Italian National Team. Rossi can still change his mind and play for the U.S. team so U.S. Soccer is simply doing its job in keeping the lines of communication open.

Will Rossi change his mind? He has yet to state anything close to a reconsideration publicly. At this point U.S. national team fans shouldn't hold their breath. Rossi is second in La Liga in goals scored and has an amazing future. Anyone who thinks he isn't on the Italian national team's radar is crazy.

When will we know for sure? Rossi turns 21 in February and sources have suggested that Rossi will have to make up his mind by then if he wants to play for the United States.

Either way, Rossi is still American. He was born and raised in Clifton, New Jersey and his decision to play for Italy can't change that.

What do you think of this situation? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Joe in ND]

I hope he woultd play for the USA, but it probably won't happen. He would help solve our problem of a solid, true striker. He is good there is no denying that fact.

[Tom]

Good article Ives. Just set people straight.

It is what it is folks.

A jersey kid, who has spent more time living in England, and in a year it will be more in Spain than Italy also. His Italian teammates call him the American also, but he will not consider playing for us.

Not a chance. His dad, and hisstrong Italian upbringing have assured that.

The way it is.

Of course I can naturally make fun of him and dislike him because he was born in Jersey. I kid. I kid.

[whocares]

a complete non-story. a good example of media filling space. belongs on Fark.com

[Tony M]

He is an American regardless of what he chooses.

But if he chooses Italy, I simply have no interest in him.

[hank]

talk about beating a dead horse, this guy wont play for us lets move on.

[Ives]

Hey whocares (and I know who you are), the fact that people want to know what's going on with him makes it a story.

I'll agree that there's not much new here, which is why I initially ignored the stories after Bradley's initial comments last week, but once those comments were blown out of proportion and my readers start asking me what the deal is with Rossi, I addressed it.

Just because you're not interested doesn't mean it's a non-story.

[daniel]

agreed. i don't need to know just how fantastic a young player in the italian national team pool is. unless he wants to play for the u.s. i don't care what part of new jersey he was born in.

[smokarz]

I could care less. A good player he is, but he won't win us the WC or get us near it. With the emergence of Adu, Zetela, Dempsey, etc in the attacking role, I am not sure we REALLY need him. Yes, he would be a nice addition to our roster, but that's all. Hell, he might end up playing for Spain, since Italy dont' want him and the US might got tired waiting for him.

[markspence02]

I hope Italy remains eurosnobish and won't play an "American."

[green]

Doesn't Italy only choose those playing IN Italy for the Azzuri?

[kriz]

forget him...one of the best things about international soccer is cheering on your country and watching your fellow countrymen play their hearts out for your flag...i dont want to cheer on someone who plays with half a heart no matter how good he is...i would watch the usa lose every game as long as they play with heart

[tito]

As a moderately rabid fan of the World Champions and an American with an Italian dad, I very much hope he plays for the US. We need him a lot more than Italy does! Doesn't look like it's going to happen, though.

In any case, my feeling is that with proper coaching we could have a great team as we certainly have the athletes and we're starting to get real professional experience overseas. Media space like this might be better spent urging the US to come to its senses and hire a coach with real international experience rather than worrying about the borderline player cases.

Certainly if I were in Rossi's shoes, the coach would make a big difference. How much can he realistically hope to learn from a guy who's never played or coached at a particularly high level?

[dano]

Hell, he might end up playing for Spain, since Italy dont' want him and the US might got tired waiting for him.

Posted by: smokarz | October 09, 2007 at 12:38 PM

He doesn't have spanish citzenship or parents, so I'm not sure how or why he could end up playing for Spain. And I'm pretty sure we'd take him if he doesn't get cap tied to Italy.

[Phillip]

Yes, dano, I think we'd take him in a heartbeat.

[smokarz]

If he's as good as they've claimed, I am sure the Spaniards wouldn't mind giving him the keys to their countryside. Go ask Ronaldinho.......

[YankatOxford]

I have no problem at all with Rossi's desire to play for Italy, I think people should give it more respect.

That said Rossi has by all accounts appeared to be a bit of prima donna. A mate of mine met him in Manchester, when he was in the youth squad, and described him as a "trite thinker."

If he continues to perform in Spain, there is no reason to think he will not be at least considered for WC 2010 by the Italians. He played splendidly while on Loan to Parma last year.

I think its interesting that childhood friend Danny Szetela has taken such a different path to European football, but Szetela has yet to shine in a Rossi manner at any level outside of the U-20 WC. Here's to hoping that changes.

[Lawrence]

Truth is, if Klinnsman was calling, it might be a little bit different. I think he has made a pretty dumb decision. He desires to be a part of a place he is only half accepted, and shuns the place that would welcome him with open arms.

I find it interesting that his mother and sister still live in the USA.

[onionsack]

American by law only.

His refusal to fight on the pitch as an American for the USA is a slap in the face to the country that raised him.

I hate people that live here and enjoy our protections and lifestyle only to disrespect our flag and our nation by claiming some unity with the homeland of their parents.

Rossi may be american on his passport, but in the eyes of US fans he is a traitor.

[Shmenge]

Couldn't Nike put together a little "package" for him to make joining the USA a lot sweeter?

He may or may not play for Italy, but he'll never be a STAR for Italy. The country wouldn't accept a NJ-born kid as its idol.

He could be/could have been this country's biggest star...shoe lines, billboards, national media, you name it.

No way that happens for him in Italy. He's giving up a lot, in that regard.

[YankatOxford]

Some people have dreams that are superior to merely earning money and wealth. If playing for Italy is what he wants to do, fair play.

Debating it at this moment is pointless, because we have no ability to influence his decision or the decision of the Italian Federation. I also think Manchester United will buy him back in time. He will not be playing for Spain.

[Mikemike]

Hey Ives,
I am tempted to think that if an article gets 20 comments in alittle over an hour, it was worth while to write. Keep up the good work.
-Mike

[Dave]

Doesn't Italy only choose those playing IN Italy for the Azzuri?

Posted by: green | October 09, 2007 at 12:38 PM

I remember reading that myself some time ago. Also, taking a look back to the summer and Rossi's transfer saga, one would notice he had only suitors in Italy until the Villarreal came along in the end (and very under the radar). I mean Parma wanted him back and Juve would also interested. Only players already established in the Italian national team and playing outside of Italy are selected for the national team. Don't forget the Glazers (American citizens and the owners of Man U) along with Sir Alex controlled where Rossi in the summer. Knowing that Rossi could play for the U.S. (through the knowledge of the advisiors) decided to send Rossi to Spain where it would be difficult for him to be selected for the Italian national team. With no callups to the full national team in the present, its probably more likely than ever that he could play the U.S. national team.

[YankatOxford]

Bah, this is pathetic, I'm going to sleep now.
Tired of hoping the team will be released... yes hardcore fans who stay up until 3 am waiting for the USMNT squad line up to be released do exist.

[Luis]

I hate people that live here and enjoy our protections and lifestyle only to disrespect our flag and our nation by claiming some unity with the homeland of their parents.

Posted by: onionsack | October 09, 2007 at 01:14 PM

Talk about ignorance. There's nothing wrong with claiming some allegiance or unity to a country from which your parents came. I might be an American first and always, but my Spanish roots aren't meaningless. How is that at all disrespectful? This country was founded and built up by foreigners who maintained some link to their culture and heritage. Get a clue.

Rossi can make the choice if he wants. As others have already said, he won't be fully accepted by the Italians so it's not a smart decision. And at this point he's chosen not to play for the US for so long that if he changed his mind you'd have to wonder how the other players would feel about playing with him. Not from a nationalistic point of view, but professionally it's clear he thinks he's above the quality of the US team and players will remember that.

[ct]

I dont care what he does at this point, I just want him to get capped so it is over with.