Comments on: Defending Guiseppe Rossi and His Decision to Play for Italy Instead of the United States http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217 Daily Analysis of Major League Soccer Fri, 19 Mar 2010 22:53:33 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Rigoberto http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-26139 Rigoberto Fri, 06 Nov 2009 19:18:16 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-26139 Italy lost to U.S.A in the Confederation Cup Italy lost to U.S.A in the Confederation Cup

]]> By: Rex Lee http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-17744 Rex Lee Sun, 26 Jul 2009 01:57:09 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-17744 I think people are smoking the good stuff if they think that Subotic would have played ever for the US seniors after the fallout with Rongen. Like someone mentioned above, the MNT is not about talent and skills but toeing the party line and being in good terms with the coaching staff. What are the odds that Subotic would have even been invited after what happened? If someone is not good for our u-20 team, why should we force them to stick around in hope that maybe they would get an invite? It would be different if he had gotten an invitation to the MNT senior squad and I didnt see that happen. And Im against all this italian-american (just example) BS. You are born in the US, you are an american. It doesnt matter where your parents are born. It should be where you are born or if youve lived long enough like Preki, if you are naturalized citizen. And nice job people. Imagine if you were on a baseball blog and someone said "Kill David Ortiz". Class. Pure class. I think people are smoking the good stuff if they think that Subotic would have played ever for the US seniors after the fallout with Rongen.

Like someone mentioned above, the MNT is not about talent and skills but toeing the party line and being in good terms with the coaching staff.
What are the odds that Subotic would have even been invited after what happened?

If someone is not good for our u-20 team, why should we force them to stick around in hope that maybe they would get an invite?
It would be different if he had gotten an invitation to the MNT senior squad and I didnt see that happen.

And Im against all this italian-american (just example) BS.
You are born in the US, you are an american. It doesnt matter where your parents are born. It should be where you are born or if youve lived long enough like Preki, if you are naturalized citizen.

And nice job people. Imagine if you were on a baseball blog and someone said “Kill David Ortiz”.
Class. Pure class.

]]> By: Mike http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14640 Mike Sat, 20 Jun 2009 12:25:31 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14640 You're right. The federation has a chance to bring Klinsman. He wanted to revamp our whole system and I am sure he knows how to make it better than it is but the federation was too proud to give him that much control. We have to check out ego and stop pretending that MLS is on par with European leagues or South American leagues. It isn't. We have to be humble and bring in mentors who know how to play the game at a higher level. Until we admit where we are we can not take realistic steps to move forward. We're a proud country who expects to be number one at everything and that pride is killing us. You’re right. The federation has a chance to bring Klinsman. He wanted to revamp our whole system and I am sure he knows how to make it better than it is but the federation was too proud to give him that much control. We have to check out ego and stop pretending that MLS is on par with European leagues or South American leagues. It isn’t. We have to be humble and bring in mentors who know how to play the game at a higher level. Until we admit where we are we can not take realistic steps to move forward. We’re a proud country who expects to be number one at everything and that pride is killing us.

]]> By: Thomas Cope http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14475 Thomas Cope Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:42:53 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14475 I'm not mad at Rossi or the US Federation. In international soccer a player should always follow his heart. In club soccer things are different. It is one reason I love this game. I’m not mad at Rossi or the US Federation. In international soccer a player should always follow his heart. In club soccer things are different. It is one reason I love this game.

]]> By: kqql http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14434 kqql Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:43:59 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14434 Your facts are bit off, but good article. Feb 1987 - Winter of 1999 -> NJ Jonied Parma youth Academy Jan, 2000 at 12.11 (after try-out w/parma in summer of 1999) Jan, 2000 - Jun 2004 -> Parma = Jul 2004 - Jul 2006 -> Man. Utd Aug 2006 - Dec 2006 -> Newcastle Utd (on Loan from Man U) Jan 2007 - Jun 2007 -> Parma (on Loan from Man U) July 2007 - Present -> Villarreal Played for Italy U16, U18, U21 teams since 2002/2003....and NT since Oct/2008 Your facts are bit off, but good article.

Feb 1987 – Winter of 1999 -> NJ
Jonied Parma youth Academy Jan, 2000 at 12.11
(after try-out w/parma in summer of 1999)
Jan, 2000 – Jun 2004 -> Parma =
Jul 2004 – Jul 2006 -> Man. Utd
Aug 2006 – Dec 2006 -> Newcastle Utd (on Loan from Man U)
Jan 2007 – Jun 2007 -> Parma (on Loan from Man U)
July 2007 – Present -> Villarreal

Played for Italy U16, U18, U21 teams since 2002/2003….and NT since
Oct/2008

]]> By: CleartheBall http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14360 CleartheBall Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:53:12 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14360 As a huge fan of the Nats, I would have loved to have Rossi. However, as a child of an immigrant, I still feel for the fatherland. Had I any talent, I would have preferred to play for the U.S., but I also care about Germany and I would have been honored to play for them as well. Still hate those **** Iti's, but I hope Rossi has a great career. As a huge fan of the Nats, I would have loved to have Rossi. However, as a child of an immigrant, I still feel for the fatherland. Had I any talent, I would have preferred to play for the U.S., but I also care about Germany and I would have been honored to play for them as well. Still hate those **** Iti’s, but I hope Rossi has a great career.

]]> By: Kartik Krishnaiyer http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14343 Kartik Krishnaiyer Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:23:14 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14343 Martin, thanks for the above clarification but we have more as of this morning from Mr. Jones: <b>"It is since February that I have not understood why I was not in the following international games," he said. "The basis upon which they make decisions annoys me - certainly it does not come down to performance. "In my case, it was unfair and not correct. I did not have a fair chance with the DFB." "You have always got to keep your mouth shut, agree with everything and obey the DFB," he explained. "I am a lad with a strong character. With the DFB, there are two leaders in Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack, but that is it. "All of the rest just follow (rules) and keep quiet, which I can understand because there is a climate of uniformity. But that is not me." "The coach always says that everybody has a chance here, but that did not seem to be the case. Marko Marin, Patrick Helmes and I were called up to Mallorca (last month) but as soon as we got there, we were given the last numbers in the squad. We asked (general manager Oliver) Bierhoff immediately if this meant anything and he said 'no', but everything was heading in that direction from the very beginning. We had a bitter taste back then and that remains to this day since our feelings were confirmed." </b> Two weeks later Jones applied with FIFA to change his national team to the USA. From Soccernet: Jones' decision to represent the USA in future may have repercussions at club level. New Schalke coach Felix Magath admitted the extra travelling involved in representing his new country "leaves its mark after a while". He added: "This choice has disadvantages for him. He will have to travel half the way around the world for his games. You can cope with that for maybe two or three times." Martin, thanks for the above clarification but we have more as of this morning from Mr. Jones: “It is since February that I have not understood why I was not in the following international games,” he said. “The basis upon which they make decisions annoys me – certainly it does not come down to performance.

“In my case, it was unfair and not correct. I did not have a fair chance with the DFB.”

“You have always got to keep your mouth shut, agree with everything and obey the DFB,” he explained. “I am a lad with a strong character. With the DFB, there are two leaders in Torsten Frings and Michael Ballack, but that is it.

“All of the rest just follow (rules) and keep quiet, which I can understand because there is a climate of uniformity. But that is not me.”

“The coach always says that everybody has a chance here, but that did not seem to be the case. Marko Marin, Patrick Helmes and I were called up to Mallorca (last month) but as soon as we got there, we were given the last numbers in the squad. We asked (general manager Oliver) Bierhoff immediately if this meant anything and he said ‘no’, but everything was heading in that direction from the very beginning. We had a bitter taste back then and that remains to this day since our feelings were confirmed.”

Two weeks later Jones applied with FIFA to change his national team to the USA.

From Soccernet:

Jones’ decision to represent the USA in future may have repercussions at club level.

New Schalke coach Felix Magath admitted the extra travelling involved in representing his new country “leaves its mark after a while”.

He added: “This choice has disadvantages for him. He will have to travel half the way around the world for his games. You can cope with that for maybe two or three times.”

]]> By: Daniel Feuerstein http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14342 Daniel Feuerstein Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:06:58 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14342 Brian. One error you made. When Bruce Arena was the head coach and he was the one talking to Rossi. Rossi demanded a roster spot on the 2006 World Cup squad. That's the only way he would be an American. Rossi trying to bribe his way on the USA Nats is the wrong way to go in my eyes. So let him be Azzurri. He was never an American anyway. Better to not have him if his head and heart isn't for the Stars and Stripes. Brian. One error you made. When Bruce Arena was the head coach and he was the one talking to Rossi. Rossi demanded a roster spot on the 2006 World Cup squad. That’s the only way he would be an American. Rossi trying to bribe his way on the USA Nats is the wrong way to go in my eyes. So let him be Azzurri. He was never an American anyway.

Better to not have him if his head and heart isn’t for the Stars and Stripes.

]]> By: Don57 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14341 Don57 Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:34:52 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14341 If a player thinks of himself as an American (German, Ghanaian, Mexican, Japanese, etc.), he should play for HIS national team, if invited to do so. If he is not invited to play for HIS nation's team, but is eligible under FIFA rules to play for another nation's team, he should be free to choose. Simple. Honorable. If a player who thinks of himself as an American (German, etc.) plays for another nation's team, he is obligated to perform to the best of his ability for that team. However, a decent respect for the feelings of his fellow countryman should lead him to be careful in celebrating goals he scores over HIS nation's team. Simple. Honorable. If a player thinks of himself as an American (German, Ghanaian, Mexican, Japanese, etc.), he should play for HIS national team, if invited to do so. If he is not invited to play for HIS nation’s team, but is eligible under FIFA rules to play for another nation’s team, he should be free to choose. Simple. Honorable.

If a player who thinks of himself as an American (German, etc.) plays for another nation’s team, he is obligated to perform to the best of his ability for that team. However, a decent respect for the feelings of his fellow countryman should lead him to be careful in celebrating goals he scores over HIS nation’s team. Simple. Honorable.

]]> By: George H http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/defending-guiseppe-rossi-and-his-decision-to-play-for-italy-instead-of-the-united-states/4217#comment-14338 George H Wed, 17 Jun 2009 17:12:51 +0000 http://www.majorleaguesoccertalk.com/?p=4217#comment-14338 For anyone to make parallels between Rossi and players who have suited up for the US, but weren't born here is not making any sense. With the exception of maybe Adu, none of those players were viable national team players for their native country. There only option was to play for the US and we were happy to have them. Also, to try to drag Subotic into the equation is equally flawed. Rossi is a very special player who will end up playing at the highest levels for both club and country. Subotic is a good defender who may turn out to be great, but you can find many players of his caliber throughout the world where in Rossi's case, it's much rarer. Hence, the anger against the fact that he'll achieve this for Italy rather than the country where he lived a majority of his life and also where his family currently resides. I have never faulted Rossi for his decision. It's his life and he doesn't have to answer to anyone for his choices. However, Chris B makes an excellent point that he should have been more subdued in his celebration (remember Podolski's lack of celebration when he scored against his home country of Poland in Euro '08). To me, that's what bothers US fans the most. He said how difficult it was to play against his home country yet his over-the-top celebrations seemed to reflect a much different feeling towards the US. For anyone to make parallels between Rossi and players who have suited up for the US, but weren’t born here is not making any sense. With the exception of maybe Adu, none of those players were viable national team players for their native country. There only option was to play for the US and we were happy to have them.

Also, to try to drag Subotic into the equation is equally flawed. Rossi is a very special player who will end up playing at the highest levels for both club and country. Subotic is a good defender who may turn out to be great, but you can find many players of his caliber throughout the world where in Rossi’s case, it’s much rarer. Hence, the anger against the fact that he’ll achieve this for Italy rather than the country where he lived a majority of his life and also where his family currently resides.

I have never faulted Rossi for his decision. It’s his life and he doesn’t have to answer to anyone for his choices. However, Chris B makes an excellent point that he should have been more subdued in his celebration (remember Podolski’s lack of celebration when he scored against his home country of Poland in Euro ‘08). To me, that’s what bothers US fans the most. He said how difficult it was to play against his home country yet his over-the-top celebrations seemed to reflect a much different feeling towards the US.

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