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Give & Go: US Youth And Napoli Striker Vincenzo Bernardo
The next Giuseppe Rossi is currently on the books at Napoli. But he is never going to play for Italy. He’s all American.
Apr 3, 2009 3:15:18 AM
Following in the footsteps of rising Azzurri star Giuseppe Rossi, another Italian-American has landed in the world of Italian soccer. Vincenzo Bernardo, an 18-year-old striker, is currently with the youth team of Napoli,
Born in Morristown, New Jersey (another thing he has in common with Rossi, a native of Teaneck, NJ), Bernardo moved to Italy when he was just 16. But unlike the supremely talented Rossi, who is fast becoming a superstar for Italy, Bernardo has chosen to play for the United States. He has already represented the U.S. at the under-20 level, having been called in by coach Thomas Rongen for two friendlies last fall on a tour of Spain.
Goal.com: So, Vincenzo, why have you chosen to represent the USA?
Bernardo: Because I was born in America and grew up there. And I did all my youth national play with the USA. Therefore, I feel American.
Goal.com: Tell us a little about yourself and your childhood in the States.
Bernardo: I was born to and raised by an Italian family, so I began to follow soccer from when I was very small, especially Italian soccer. I began to play soccer when I was five years old. All my friends preferred to play other sports, like basketball and baseball, so I would take my ball and try to form a small group to play. But in the beginning, it was very difficult. As time passed, I succeeded in convincing several of them that soccer was more beautiful than their sport.
Then, later, when I was 12, I began playing with Morris United (a youth club in Morristown, New Jersey), and at 14, I got my first call in to the under-15 national team and an invitation to join the youth team of the New York Red Bulls. Then, at 16, I came to Napoli.
Goal.com: How would you describe your play?
Bernardo: I like to lineup behind the strikers but I can also play as a withdrawn forward.
Goal.com: As we mentioned before, you’ve already been a part of the US under-20s. What was that experience like?
Bernardo: It was an excellent experience to be called in by [coach] Rongen, and I hope that I can continue with the squad.
Goal.com: These days, it seems no one can avoid talking about the Beckham-MLS soap opera. What is your opinion?
Bernardo: I think Beckham has been an excellent professional, and he is doing very well here in Italy. Not knowing the situation very well, I can’t give you a very profound opinion.
Goal.com: In the end, Beckham has not succeeded in lifting soccer in America. He did little, and the media seemed more interested in what he and his wife did off the field than what he did in Los Angeles Galaxy games.
Bernardo: I hope that, one day, soccer in the US will develop an American player.
Goal.com: Speaking of MLS, one of the biggest problems is the salaries. They are too low to entice the kids to choose soccer rather than baseball or American football. What do you think?
Bernardo: I think that there is too much disparity between the very highest and the average. The difference needs to be leveled a little.
Goal.com: What do you think MLS should do to get soccer to take off all across the US?
Bernardo: The professional teams should create youth divisions, like in Europe.
Goal.com: Let’s return to you. What do you do in your free time?
Bernardo: I’m a mellow guy. I surf the internet, check out my personal site (www.vincenzobernardo.net which is run by two guys in Rome), and prepare psychologically for my job.
Goal.com: What are your plans for next year? Will you stay in Napoli or look for a loan move so you can get first-team action?
Bernardo: My desire is to play in the first team but if there is not place for me, I would prefer to go play on loan.
Michele Tossani, Goal.com
Born in Morristown, New Jersey (another thing he has in common with Rossi, a native of Teaneck, NJ), Bernardo moved to Italy when he was just 16. But unlike the supremely talented Rossi, who is fast becoming a superstar for Italy, Bernardo has chosen to play for the United States. He has already represented the U.S. at the under-20 level, having been called in by coach Thomas Rongen for two friendlies last fall on a tour of Spain.
Goal.com: So, Vincenzo, why have you chosen to represent the USA?
Bernardo: Because I was born in America and grew up there. And I did all my youth national play with the USA. Therefore, I feel American.
Goal.com: Tell us a little about yourself and your childhood in the States.
Bernardo: I was born to and raised by an Italian family, so I began to follow soccer from when I was very small, especially Italian soccer. I began to play soccer when I was five years old. All my friends preferred to play other sports, like basketball and baseball, so I would take my ball and try to form a small group to play. But in the beginning, it was very difficult. As time passed, I succeeded in convincing several of them that soccer was more beautiful than their sport.
Then, later, when I was 12, I began playing with Morris United (a youth club in Morristown, New Jersey), and at 14, I got my first call in to the under-15 national team and an invitation to join the youth team of the New York Red Bulls. Then, at 16, I came to Napoli.
Goal.com: How would you describe your play?
Bernardo: I like to lineup behind the strikers but I can also play as a withdrawn forward.
Goal.com: As we mentioned before, you’ve already been a part of the US under-20s. What was that experience like?
Bernardo: It was an excellent experience to be called in by [coach] Rongen, and I hope that I can continue with the squad.
Goal.com: These days, it seems no one can avoid talking about the Beckham-MLS soap opera. What is your opinion?
Bernardo: I think Beckham has been an excellent professional, and he is doing very well here in Italy. Not knowing the situation very well, I can’t give you a very profound opinion.
Goal.com: In the end, Beckham has not succeeded in lifting soccer in America. He did little, and the media seemed more interested in what he and his wife did off the field than what he did in Los Angeles Galaxy games.
Bernardo: I hope that, one day, soccer in the US will develop an American player.
Goal.com: Speaking of MLS, one of the biggest problems is the salaries. They are too low to entice the kids to choose soccer rather than baseball or American football. What do you think?
Bernardo: I think that there is too much disparity between the very highest and the average. The difference needs to be leveled a little.
Goal.com: What do you think MLS should do to get soccer to take off all across the US?
Bernardo: The professional teams should create youth divisions, like in Europe.
Goal.com: Let’s return to you. What do you do in your free time?
Bernardo: I’m a mellow guy. I surf the internet, check out my personal site (www.vincenzobernardo.net which is run by two guys in Rome), and prepare psychologically for my job.
Goal.com: What are your plans for next year? Will you stay in Napoli or look for a loan move so you can get first-team action?
Bernardo: My desire is to play in the first team but if there is not place for me, I would prefer to go play on loan.
Michele Tossani, Goal.com
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