re: Our favorite Judas missed the cut today

He would be a shoe in if it wasn't for injuries and the apparent bias Italians have against him because of his American heritage. I heard on the radio the other day that they were thinking of starting Cassano as a false 9. That should work out great for them in a group against England and Uruguay. There not exactly deep at striker these days.

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He "deserves" to have a historically bad run of consecutive devastating injuries that have derailed a potentially brilliant career?

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Definitely not. Wouldn't wish it on anyone.

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Why, because he chose to play for the country he grew up dreaming to play for? frick you man.

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Easy there, Tiger.

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He had a choice and made the right one.

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love coming here to talk shite with you bros but comments like this are so gay

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What about soccer board do you not understand?

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He had a choice and made the right one.

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Get fricked and never post on this board again.

the thing about biased Italians being against him is extremely overblown.
Yes, there are some but based on living in both countries, reading sports news from both, hearing/reading what fans say there are probably a much higher percentage of Americans against all the German kids playing for the USA.

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Interesting. So how do people view him in Italy?

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The vast majority view him extremely favorably as a footballer. That he was absolute world class for Fiorentina before the last injury turned some of his doubters and then some. In fact, I personally didn't think he had that "extra level" in him but he came back from the first injury in better form than ever and his passing and vision were just incredible. If he weren't so fresh off his recent injury, he'd be a shoe in for the WC 23 roster.



As far as being "Italian" it's really complicated.

However, that both Rossi's parents are actually "born in Italy" Italians who moved to the US as adults (and that he came through Parma's youth system) means that a majority don't even consider him "oriundo", someone that can get an Italian passport due to a Italian grandparent.


Interestingly, many argue Rossi is simply Italian and not really an Oriundo like Osvaldo or Motta etc who are more similar to the German-Americans in that they usually not only grew up but also came through youth ranks in their home countries.

There are many Italian (though still a small minority) against accepting Oriundi into the Italian NT.

Balotelli is another interesting case and even more fascinating to hear various comments because--aside from the color of his skin-- it's hard to find a character more "Italian" than him.

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"oriundo", someone that can get an Italian passport due to a Italian grandparent.


Interestingly, many argue Rossi is simply Italian and not really an Oriundo like Osvaldo or Motta etc who are more similar to the German-Americans in that they usually not only grew up but also came through youth ranks in their home countries.

There are many Italian (though still a small minority) against accepting Oriundi into the Italian NT.

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They have laxer rules on citizenship than we do, which makes it easier for people 2 generations removed to play for the national team. I wonder how pissed people here would be if some Spanish guy with an American grandparent wanted to play for us. The anti-Germerican thing has been so bad I can't even imagine taking it further than having an American parent.

My response: The world is quickly getting smaller, and globalization is a big part of the game. DWI.

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My response: The world is quickly getting smaller, and globalization is a big part of the game. DWI.

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For real. My favorite part of arguments against players switching national teams is that somehow nationality is a static sort of thing.

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Who's been anti German American? I haven't really seen any of that

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Well, on a board of people who generally understand the game and "get it," there are still a few who are absolutely against it (Randy). Don't go looking at youtube comments or even SBI, reddit, etc. It's filled with people who think the US should be above doing what the rest of the world does and can't fricking comprehend that some people might actually choose to play for a country other than the one they were born in because, brace-your-fricking-self, they want to. Clearly the only reason we got Julian, Fab, Brooks, etc., is because they blow arse and had to settle for the shitty US of A.

Someone earlier posted in one of the threads (not sure which one) a video of the best RBs in the Bundesliga. FJ was in the video. Not surprisingly, the only comment about Fabian was his German accent, and the reply was some upvoted bullshite about how we have German mercenaries playing for us and they aren't even American. It's sickening. I try not to let it upset me, since those people are obviously frick-tards, but the levels of ignorance out there about the vague concepts of nationality etc are just astounding.

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It's filled with people who think the US should be above doing what the rest of the world does and can't fricking comprehend that some people might actually choose to play for a country other than the one they were born in because, brace-your-fricking-self, they want to. Clearly the only reason we got Julian, Fab, Brooks, etc., is because they blow arse and had to settle for the shitty US of A.

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I get that, but every time I hear him speak and look at his Jersey Shore want to be face, I want to throat punch him. And it's not all his fault. I also blame Charlie Davies for being an a-hole.