A scoreless draw vs. Ireland last Saturday must have done more. https://www.youtube.com/embed/0IZBFcqTESk Ireland had much more of a game here. The same side Italy dominated in the 2012 Euros.
Yeah, no WAY a guy named "Immobile" is making my team. Just like pitching a guy named "Balk" or "Walk" or starting a shooting guard named "Brick". Just ain't gonna do it.
My favorite name among the current generation of baseball players. Despite his ironic last name (and being Australian), he signed a two-year $11 million deal this winter.
So wait....its okay if a kid who was raised elsewhere has an affinity toward America, but for a kid raised here with two Italian-born parents and family over there, it's not okay for him to have an affinity toward Italy?
Sounds like Rossi's exclusion didn't sit too well with his grandfather. He gave an interview to Italian radio yesterday and had a few things to say: "We were very upset because we hadn’t expected it. He was kept in a state of waiting, and just two days ago Prandelli had said nice things about him. "This is a real clown move from Prandelli, who deceived and then betrayed him. He’s not up to the task of judging my grandson. I can’t say anything else; I know my grandson is healthy and was cleared medically. I haven’t spoken with him. My daughter told me yesterday evening. "Pepito is ready, in form and has always been a driving force in the team. My grandson also has experience playing in other countries. I’ll cheer for the United States because there are traitors in Italy." http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Mondi...o-rossi-prandelli-traditore-80823368813.shtml
http://www.espnfc.com/fifa-world-cu...r-to-support-us-at-world-cup-after-italy-snub Giuseppe Rossi's grandfather says he is so disgusted by his grandson's omission from Italy's Word Cup squad that he will be supporting the U.S. instead this summer.
he can feel an affinity towards italy, i have no problems with that. i also have no problems with him catching some flak for it. i'd be willing to bet our dudes have gotten a bit of german, norwegian, and icelandic flak. all in the game, yo. all in the game...
The Rossi story is, unfortunately, a great lesson to be trotted out to dual-Nationals from other countries: "He'd have played in likely three World Cups for the US and been a 'face' of American soccer with endorsement deals to follow. Instead, he's a guy who wasn't quite good enough for the Euro power he preferred to be the man."
I expect everyone to catch some flak for their decision one way or the other. I was responding to a poster who was entirely hypocritical in his post. Rossi's "soul" isn't any more American than our German-Americans are German. They are no more (or less American) than he is Italian. You take the good with the bad.
Enrico Castellacci, the Italian national team doctor, speaks on the Rossi issue: "From a medical standpoint he was in good enough shape. Physically he had recovered, which no one had ever denied. But it was clear to everyone that he wasn’t in optimum condition. And then decisions were made – technical, physical, psychological – that were not easy ones. But none of these things were done superficially at all, and we examined everything in the most detailed way possible." http://www.gazzetta.it/Calcio/Mondi...i-sirigu-balotelli-barzagli-80825424557.shtml
But, he has been good enough. He has already had 30 caps(and he missed a year and half with injury) and has even captained the side before. He has just been a bit unlucky when it comes to injuries. If it wasn't for his injury in January he would have made the squad no question.
I feel bad for him because he fought back from injury, worked hard to regain a spot and missed it by that much - and because it would have made a great way to win beers in bars this month. 'Hey, did you know an American scored in the WC today?" No, they didn't even play... wanna bet a beer?
I almost spit out my beer reading this. That's really good. Why yes, it is 8:45 a.m. Yes, I'm okay with that.
Serious analysis: I don't feel that way. He was good enough, he just wasn't back up to form after coming off an injury. What are we gonna say to prospective dual nationals, "See what happens when you choose the dark side? You get injured! Don't make any stupid decisions.." This is more or less how I feel about it. Succinctly put! @Scotty what is the general feeling about this decision over there? Does anyone care? Who are they siding with? Thanks.
i didn't really see the hypocrisy to be honest. being happy that dual nationals choose usa doesn't seem inconsistent with being unhappy when dual nationals don't choose usa (especially "as a fan" who by definition are a bit irrational anyway). as a human, i don't begrudge any dual national's right to choose who they wish to represent, whatever their reasons ("american-ness" being completely irrelevant in my eyes). but as a fan, i prefer everyone with the option to choose usa.