If he fails to show he's capable of getting back to top form again then why would an MLS team take him?
And he has yet to show he can even get back to that level. This contract with Levante runs only until June, so they're not taking too much of a risk. But beyond that I still think it would be foolish for any club to take him on anything other than a pay-as-you-play deal, similar to what Michael Owen had to accept at the same point in his career after so many injury problems.
Rossi has received quite a reception at Levante so far. In this video you can see an old-timer fan thanking him effusively for choosing the team before bursting into tears: http://video.gazzetta.it/grazie-ess...aylistId=d3f7a29e-81f5-11e3-bd1a-58cde880da0a
Yeah, that's a tear jerker. He said something to the effect of "Thank you for choosing my Levante. We will come to see you every day." It got me too. I'm sure Rossi sees the parallel between this opportunity and his 06/07 season at Parma where he single handedly saved their skins. It wouldn't surprise me to see him thrive there.
Imagine that guy in the Red White and Blue. He was a massive loss for US Soccer. I wonder what would have happened had ol JK been in charge of the recruitment system for dual nationals at that time. Say what you will about JK but he can get someone to play for the US. Back to his club career, if he's fit, he's going to do very well in Spain again. I would imagine if he's fit, and he does well enough, he may be on the long list for Italy going into the Euros.
Outside of Graziano Pelle, there isn't an Italian forward who can catch a sniff of good form right now, so he could have a very good chance with a positive showing at Levante.
Okay, I'm changing the thread title from this: Rossi is Red, Violets are blue ... Giuseppe Rossi in Florence ... To this:
Oscar Levant is in last place but there are seven clubs within five points of each other (Valencia not being one of them, despite Gary Neville's earnest efforts to get them there)
He scored a PK and had an assist in Levante's 3-0 win over Getafe this Friday. The win moves them out of the bottom spot on goal difference. Prior to that, he had played 90 and 80 minutes in 2-0 home losses to Barcelona and Eibar, respectively.
http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11850/10186756/rossi-still-chasing-his-dream He couldn't say no to Levante's offer of regular playing time in a league he knows well, and his arrival was a coup for one of Spain's most unfashionable clubs. "You can see from the first minute he got here that he's revolutionised not only the club, but his team-mates," said Levante manager Rubi. "They're delighted to have a team-mate of his ilk, and that ultimately benefits us all."
Rossi scored the winner today in the Valencia derby. Huge goal. http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35784273
A nifty goal too. (abut 2:25 in) http://rutube.ru/video/c559fc0223a23de8ded1148366e23ba5/?ref=logo PS. I was right about Neville and/in Valencia.
Levante is still 3 points off safety. BTW, I watched a bit off Villarreal (vs. Leverkusen) yesterday. They're very good defensively vs. the "old" Pellegrini era. I just looked up their La Liga stats and they're third best in goals allowed (Atletico leads with an unbelievable 12; then it's Barcelona at 22) with 23. Their goal scoring, however, is rather weak. They have put in only 35 (Barcelona leads with 84, Real follows with 83)