This is one of those times.....

[jri]

That you have to take advantage of an opportunity. Bruce could woo this kid over the next few months, and offer him a cap in a fairly meaningless warm-up friendly in next few months. The opening is there. Sometimes you got to give things a shot- after all, what's our real cost here?

This should be a priority for Bruce. He is an ueber-talent, and could contribute in '06.




Posted in Soccer America on-line email:

GIUSEPPE ROSSI, an 18-year-old New Jersey-born Italian attacker, scored nine minutes into his English Premier League debut for Manchester United in its 3-1 win over Sunderland. Rossi turned down an offer to play for the U.S. U-20 team but is reportedly reconsidering representing the United States after recently being left off an Italy U-19 roster.

[DutchFootballRulez]

Freddy Adu has a better chance than Rossi does.

And who said Rossi is prepared to say yes to Bruce.

[Bluecat82]

...and you think with Tim Howard at Man U now...plus Jonathan Spector who was there last year...both of whom probably shared a practice pitch or two with the player in question, that Bruce is not fully aware of Mr. Rossi and his talents?

[speedcake]

...and you think with Tim Howard at Man U now...plus Jonathan Spector who was there last year...both of whom probably shared a practice pitch or two with the player in question, that Bruce is not fully aware of Mr. Rossi and his talents?

I'd say he is definately aware, but I'm not holding my breath this kid is convinced to join the good guys any time soon. Great if he does, but if not no big loss in the grand scheme of things. I think. :o

[Bajoro]

And who said Rossi is prepared to say yes to Bruce.

Perhaps il Bruno can make the young man a reasonable offer. An offer that the young man cannot refuse.

[Caulfield]

That you have to take advantage of an opportunity. Bruce could woo this kid over the next few months, and offer him a cap in a fairly meaningless warm-up friendly in next few months. The opening is there. Sometimes you got to give things a shot- after all, what's our real cost here?

This should be a priority for Bruce. He is an ueber-talent, and could contribute in '06.




Posted in Soccer America on-line email:

GIUSEPPE ROSSI, an 18-year-old New Jersey-born Italian attacker, scored nine minutes into his English Premier League debut for Manchester United in its 3-1 win over Sunderland. Rossi turned down an offer to play for the U.S. U-20 team but is reportedly reconsidering representing the United States after recently being left off an Italy U-19 roster.

I agree JRI. I have not really seen too much of this kid, but he sounds like a top quality talent. We are caught a little right now finding guys who can finish at a top level.

This kid is worth Bruce getting in front of.

[SgtSchultz]

Please drop the Rossi threads. He will not play for the USA. Stop being unrealistic.

Let's wish Gisiuppe the best of luck and move on.

[Wessoman]

I agree JRI. I have not really seen too much of this kid, but he sounds like a top quality talent. We are caught a little right now finding guys who can finish at a top level.

This kid is worth Bruce getting in front of.

Agreed. Rossi has a golden opportunity right now. We are really thin at striker, and with Ching out of the picture due to mediocrity, and the fact that Twellman still really hasn't proven himself, guys like Gomez and Rossi now have a shot. Rossi was spurned by the Italian youth side, and Bruce can say: "Look, if you can score goals for us, you DO have a REAL shot at making the World Cup squad, something that Italy cannot offer you."
You know what? I think in January he gets called into camp along with Gomez, scores a goal, scores another goal in Europe, and then we can forget all about Conor Casey being in the MNT pool.

[spot]

...then we can forget all about Conor Casey being in the MNT pool.


I thought we had already forgotten him.

[USvsIRELAND]

and then we can forget all about Conor Casey being in the MNT pool.

Who?

[FirstStar]

I wish Rossi all the best -- he will always be a YA. He's clearly talented-- Rooney called him the best ManU has on their books.

Sometime in the next two years (I'm not sure exactly how long Mr. Rossi's contract runs) he will make a crucial decision. If he stays at ManU, look for him to join the US player pool (unless Italy cap-ties him in some meaningless qualifier after his 21st). If he leaves ManU for the Serie A, forget about him.

Until then, forget about him. He's talented, but he's not so talented to change Italy's practice of only giving numerous calls up to Serie A players. There's a reason no great Italian players play in the EPL.

[Wessoman]

I wish Rossi all the best -- he will always be a YA. He's clearly talented-- Rooney called him the best ManU has on their books.

Sometime in the next two years (I'm not sure exactly how long Mr. Rossi's contract runs) he will make a crucial decision. If he stays at ManU, look for him to join the US player pool (unless Italy cap-ties him in some meaningless qualifier after his 21st). If he leaves ManU for the Serie A, forget about him.

Until then, forget about him. He's talented, but he's not so talented to change Italy's practice of only giving numerous calls up to Serie A players. There's a reason no great Italian players play in the EPL.

I agree. If the note is true and Rossi wants to play for the US, sure, Arena should call him into camp during ManU's winter break. After all, we are thin at striker, and we must deal with the very realistic chance that the GAM may not be fit for the World Cup. But if not, oh well. I'll keep my eye on him.

[MikeLastort2]

I'm going to quit sniffing glue until Michael Ricketts is capped by the USMNT.

[Wessoman]

I'm going to quit sniffing glue until Michael Ricketts is capped by the USMNT.

Ahh yes. The Ricketts debacle. How did that one go? Didn't Rickett's boss at Bolton call Bruce Arena and say: "Well hey chap, when are you going to cap my striker?" and Arena said "Uhh...Dude, you are not American. Thanks for playing?" or something like that.....

Hats off for Ricketts for TRYING to get on the Nats. That makes him an honorary Yank in my book. :D

[Scoobs]

I agree. If the note is true and Rossi wants to play for the US, sure, Arena should call him into camp during ManU's winter break. After all, we are thin at striker, and we must deal with the very realistic chance that the GAM may not be fit for the World Cup. But if not, oh well. I'll keep my eye on him.

Eddie Johnson's only out for 6 weeks. Plenty time for the late January friendly.

[Wessoman]

Eddie Johnson's only out for 6 weeks. Plenty time for the late January friendly.

Yes, but can he recapture his scoring touch. Stay tuned, kids...

(PS--I think he can)

[SgtSchultz]

Yes, but can he recapture his scoring touch. Stay tuned, kids...

(PS--I think he can)


Of course he can, he is the grown ass man.

[Nutmeg]

Perhaps il Bruno can make the young man a reasonable offer. An offer that the young man cannot refuse.

http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/Articles/ProductLaunches/AnOfferYouCantRefuse.JPG

[Ronaldo's Idol]

US Soccer paid for his training gear and travel when he was in the ODP regional team, and all Italy did for him was snub him for the U19 team? This is pretty much the closest a sportsman can get to being a traitor (if he chooses Italy). That will be some precedent, and a black mark for Italy IMO. Everytime someone discusses where he's from and where he learned to play soccer while playing for Italy, it will surprise and shock people that he is born and raised American, and learned soccer in the US and only left for ManU after he had pretty much fully developed (what was he, 16?). They will scratch their heads and wonder why this American is on their team.

[speedcake]

there are at least three Rossi discussions going on right this moment. Overkill.