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Canales Daily: An American In Italy's Shirt
Jozy Altidore's exclusive interview with Andrea Canales yielded up a few insights on another American - Giuseppe Rossi, who plays for Italy.
Jul 15, 2009 6:12:56 PM
U.S. Soccer has a jersey with Giuseppe Rossi's name on it.
Yes, the same Rossi who scored two goals for Italy against the USA in the Confederations Cup, a result that nearly doomed the American effort in the tournament.
Yes, the same Rossi who was born and raised in New Jersey.
"He lived there until he was 13," said Bruce Arena, the former national team coach who invited Rossi to join the U.S. team back in 2005, but was turned down. "I'd say those are pretty formative years."
Arena had a look of incredulity when I asked if Rossi had ever been snubbed on the youth national team level, as a rationale for abandoning the U.S. cause.
"Not that I know of - that age is a little young for anything like that," Arena responded.
In fact, when I spoke to John Hackworth, who was a coach in the Under-17 program from 2002 to 2007, he indicated that Rossi had been a star in his region at a young age, and that the national team program had tracked his progress and long hoped he would play for the U.S.
Rossi didn't, of course. He spent a while with Parma, then signed for Manchester United at sixteen. During his years with United, Rossi developed both in regular training and as he was loaned out to various clubs, including Newcastle and Parma.
Meanwhile, he garnered more time with Italy's youth national teams, working his way up those ranks. Despite the overtures from the U.S., Rossi was committed to playing for the country where his parents were both born.
When Spain's Villarreal came calling for him, beating out Porto and other suitors, Rossi's game elevated another important notch. That spurred Italy coach Marcello Lippi to call him in to the Confederations Cup roster, where Rossi responded with two fine goals, both against the United States.
Some U.S. soccer fans called Rossi a traitor. Few knew Rossi as well, however, as one player who watched him jog onto the field that day.
Jozy Altidore would not match Rossi's goal total at the Confederations Cup, but he would have a fine strike of his own in the U.S. upset of the top-notch Spanish squad.
Altidore had transferred to Spain's Villarreal in 2008 as an eager, but inexperienced youngster of just 18.
Rossi reached out to his new teammate.
"We were close," Altidore said, looking back at his first season with Villarreal. "I think it was huge for him to have an American there and I was definitely happy to have him there."
The two players, both born in New Jersey, (though Altidore grew up mostly in Florida) easily became friends.
"We went out every day," Altidore related. "We basically did everything every day, always hanging out at each other's houses. We had a good relationship."
As much as other aspects of his transfer to Europe were somewhat intimidating, Altidore could count on Rossi, who speaks Spanish, Italian and English, to help him adjust.
"It was good to have him there, because I was new to the whole thing," recalled Altidore. "It was a lot all at one time. It was perfect that he was there."
Of course, mixed emotions were triggered watching his friend and practice partner enter the game with the U.S. holding a narrow lead.
"Yeah, it was weird," Altidore acknowledged. "It was just strange after seeing him all the time and being on the same team in training and stuff like that. To see him come on the field was a bit strange. But I was happy for him, that he was going to be able to play with Italy."
Helping his countryman fit into life abroad doesn't seem like the actions of any traitor to me. Neither do Rossi's responses at the press conference, when he called the U.S. his home, seem like any one who is turning their back on his native land.
It happens, though, that Rossi's dream has been to play for Italy. If Altidore can be glad that Rossi has fulfilled that desire, even though it may mean doing battle in the international arena for some years to come, who is anyone else to define Rossi's wish as a betrayal?
Rossi traded jerseys with Altidore after Italy's Confederations Cup win. The young striker turned it over to the USA team managers, who make sure that the uniforms are freshly laundered and kept safe until the players have a chance to claim them.
"I've got to pick that up," noted Altidore, his hand reaching for his phone.
That Rossi jersey may not be hanging in a U.S. Soccer equipment closet much longer, but the story of these two friends has a long way to go.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America.
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com
Yes, the same Rossi who scored two goals for Italy against the USA in the Confederations Cup, a result that nearly doomed the American effort in the tournament.
Yes, the same Rossi who was born and raised in New Jersey.
"He lived there until he was 13," said Bruce Arena, the former national team coach who invited Rossi to join the U.S. team back in 2005, but was turned down. "I'd say those are pretty formative years."
Arena had a look of incredulity when I asked if Rossi had ever been snubbed on the youth national team level, as a rationale for abandoning the U.S. cause.
"Not that I know of - that age is a little young for anything like that," Arena responded.
In fact, when I spoke to John Hackworth, who was a coach in the Under-17 program from 2002 to 2007, he indicated that Rossi had been a star in his region at a young age, and that the national team program had tracked his progress and long hoped he would play for the U.S.
Rossi didn't, of course. He spent a while with Parma, then signed for Manchester United at sixteen. During his years with United, Rossi developed both in regular training and as he was loaned out to various clubs, including Newcastle and Parma.
Meanwhile, he garnered more time with Italy's youth national teams, working his way up those ranks. Despite the overtures from the U.S., Rossi was committed to playing for the country where his parents were both born.
When Spain's Villarreal came calling for him, beating out Porto and other suitors, Rossi's game elevated another important notch. That spurred Italy coach Marcello Lippi to call him in to the Confederations Cup roster, where Rossi responded with two fine goals, both against the United States.
Some U.S. soccer fans called Rossi a traitor. Few knew Rossi as well, however, as one player who watched him jog onto the field that day.
Jozy Altidore would not match Rossi's goal total at the Confederations Cup, but he would have a fine strike of his own in the U.S. upset of the top-notch Spanish squad.
Altidore had transferred to Spain's Villarreal in 2008 as an eager, but inexperienced youngster of just 18.
Rossi reached out to his new teammate.
"We were close," Altidore said, looking back at his first season with Villarreal. "I think it was huge for him to have an American there and I was definitely happy to have him there."
The two players, both born in New Jersey, (though Altidore grew up mostly in Florida) easily became friends.
"We went out every day," Altidore related. "We basically did everything every day, always hanging out at each other's houses. We had a good relationship."
As much as other aspects of his transfer to Europe were somewhat intimidating, Altidore could count on Rossi, who speaks Spanish, Italian and English, to help him adjust.
"It was good to have him there, because I was new to the whole thing," recalled Altidore. "It was a lot all at one time. It was perfect that he was there."
Of course, mixed emotions were triggered watching his friend and practice partner enter the game with the U.S. holding a narrow lead.
"Yeah, it was weird," Altidore acknowledged. "It was just strange after seeing him all the time and being on the same team in training and stuff like that. To see him come on the field was a bit strange. But I was happy for him, that he was going to be able to play with Italy."
Helping his countryman fit into life abroad doesn't seem like the actions of any traitor to me. Neither do Rossi's responses at the press conference, when he called the U.S. his home, seem like any one who is turning their back on his native land.
It happens, though, that Rossi's dream has been to play for Italy. If Altidore can be glad that Rossi has fulfilled that desire, even though it may mean doing battle in the international arena for some years to come, who is anyone else to define Rossi's wish as a betrayal?
Rossi traded jerseys with Altidore after Italy's Confederations Cup win. The young striker turned it over to the USA team managers, who make sure that the uniforms are freshly laundered and kept safe until the players have a chance to claim them.
"I've got to pick that up," noted Altidore, his hand reaching for his phone.
That Rossi jersey may not be hanging in a U.S. Soccer equipment closet much longer, but the story of these two friends has a long way to go.
Andrea Canales is Chief Editor of Goal.com North America.
If you follow the U.S. Men's National Team, you'll love their dedicated page on Goal.com
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