Yeah you're probably right on this. The non-european countries do come to Europe quite often. I guess I was thinking of all the clubs going all over the world and projecting that on national teams a bit and recalling Wenger complaining about it a lot.
That's what I thought too. That's why I don't agree with your inference that he either felt that he was too good for the States or had no connection to the States. I assume that neither choice is true. It's quite possible that Rossi would play for the States and is connected to the States but simply wanted to represent his Italian heritage instead. Choosing one country isn't necessarily turning your back on the other imo.
Didn't France play a friendly in Martinique fairly recently? I remember Henry throwing a tantrum which forced Wenger to release him to play.
I think it's more of a case of him following his dad's dreams. The travel probably wasn't the real issue, but as in Vela's case, it can be a problem for a young player trying to break into the first team at a big club. "How can I explain it?" Rossi says. "The TV I watch, the websites I visit, the music I like -- it's all from America. But Italian soccer is what I grew up watching, and Italy is where I grew up as a player. Off the field, I have always felt American. On the field, I've always felt Italian." http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/5165898/ce/us/world-cup-2010-espn-magazine-giuseppe-rossi-make-history-world-cup-just-not-us?cc=5901&ver=us
I don't remember that but, it couldn't have been too recent if Henry was still playing for us. I seem to remember Wenger making a stink about a friendly in Australia a few years ago.
Yeah, it happened in 2005. France played Costa Rica in Martinque and won 3-2. Wenger was upset about it given that Henry was coming off an injury and they just played a game three days before the trip to the Caribbean. Anyway, it's not recent. It's just an example that came to my mind.
It was near the end of Henry's time at Arsenal. Right at the start of the 2001/02 season. Midweek match too. There is also Edu who was given time off/returning from injury(fitness not up to par) and Brazil called him up for a friendly in Haiti I think. Wenger was a bit upset about that.
The Austrilia game? It was around then as France were the defending champions and didn't have to play qualifier matches for the 2002 World Cup.
Its pretty good, everyone down here knows the Germans show up for tournaments so while we want a win, hoping for a draw and must avoid a flogging. Its hard to tell how we will go against Serbia, but id be pretty confident in rolling Ghana. Beatable yes, but all the other nations are showing big holes in either their talent pool, game plan or structures. Well then looks like he can have a summer of feeling American
I hope he does not get called up. He can wear his blue shirt and watch Jersey Shore reruns this summer instead.
Seems so. USA Today has the same squad list Totti retired from the team, and I don't think Lippi was going to pick him after he missed all of the qualifiers.
I can't express how much I hope Italy crashes and burns. US roster announced today at 2 p.m. on ESPNews. Will be interesting to see who makes the list, though it also doesn't matter too much since the 23-man roster doesn't have to strictly come from the 30-man roster.
walcott definitely wont be or king i dont think warnock and bained, that will be decided in our friendly game coming up
do they have the chance to play for an infinitely better team that could win the world cup? by the sound of it he was raised in a traditional italian home