World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

[JF_Gophers]

Granted he made his first choice a long time ago and has always played for Italy.

I can't hate a kid for wanting to play for a country with actual opportunity to win hardware.

He just over estimated his ability to make the national team for world cups.

I can hate him for that team being Italy though. Ugh!

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Granted he made his first choice a long time ago and has always played for Italy.

Understood, but it's much harder to crack the Italy lineup. He could've been the face of USA soccer. There would be ad campaigns centered around him. I understand playing for Italy. The allure is strong, but I still think he backed the wrong horse.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

I can't hate a kid for wanting to play for a country with actual opportunity to win hardware.

He just over estimated his ability to make the national team for world cups.

I can hate him for that team being Italy though. Ugh!

The 2010 Italian WC coach said his biggest mistake was not selecting Rossi then...
The 2014 Italian WC coach isn't selecting him due to his recovering form an injury...

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Understood, but it's much harder to crack the Italy lineup. He could've been the face of USA soccer. There would be ad campaigns centered around him. I understand playing for Italy. The allure is strong, but I still think he backed the wrong horse.

Oh, I completely agree...I can't imagine an American born player choosing a different country to attempt to represent in Soccer. And for everyone that says this is two-faced for all the foreign-born to american service men players America has had over the years...I think its different. I can't imagine too many of those players really had a chance to represent their home country.

[JF_Gophers]

The 2010 Italian WC coach said his biggest mistake was not selecting Rossi then...
The 2014 Italian WC coach isn't selecting him due to his recovering form an injury...

And they didn't pick me because I'm a no talent hack, and not italian.

Net result is I have the same number of WC appearances as Rossi.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

And they didn't pick me because I'm a no talent hack, and not italian.

Net result is I have the same number of WC appearances as Rossi.

and we are all laughing I'm with you...just saying if things are slightly different he's on Italy for the 2nd time.

As much as I'd love to have him in the World Cup fold for US...I think the 2010 WC the way it went down with USA vs Algeria is to important a moment to have Rossi change that in any way...

[MountieBoyOz]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Oh, I completely agree...I can't imagine an American born player choosing a different country to attempt to represent in Soccer. And for everyone that says this is two-faced for all the foreign-born to american service men players America has had over the years...I think its different. I can't imagine too many of those players really had a chance to represent their home country.

I used to think that way about Rossi, but I remembered your point about all the foreign players we've enlisted. I can be disappointed about his choice, but I can't be mad at him.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

I used to think that way about Rossi, but I remembered your point about all the foreign players we've enlisted. I can be disappointed about his choice, but I can't be mad at him.

I'm not mad, I just laugh at his bad luck because he chose not to pick USA.

[Priceless]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Pick the World Cup!
http://t.co/a7Wd9gvfBf

Group: USCHO
Pass: hockey

[RaceBoarder]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Bosnia with a strong start against Mexico... They just can't close the deal....

Almost went to this match.. Just too expensive for two teams that I really don't give 2 craps about though...

Also it's blatantly clear why Chicago will never host a USMNT match that means anything... We have way too many fans of other nations in this city... The crowd is almost guaranteed to only be 60% or less in favor of the US... Hate to sound like an ignorant American a-hole, but it's the truth

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Works for me. Screw Chicago.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

Great read on JK and USA soccer:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/08/ma...ican.html?_r=0

[MaizeRage]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

As much as I'd love to have him in the World Cup fold for US...I think the 2010 WC the way it went down with USA vs Algeria is to important a moment to have Rossi change that in any way...

Not just picking on you, because I know Donovan's goal was #2 on that list of most important US goals, and I've seen other say the thing, but I'll never understand why that goal was such a big deal. It seems like finishing top two in a four-team group that included Algeria and Slovenia should have been a given anyway. And it's not like that set them off to bigger and better things since they lost in the next round anyway. Avoiding catastrophic failure isn't the same as a triumph. It's always felt like one of those things driven by ESPN hype machine to me.

[ExileOnDaytonStreet]

Not just picking on you, because I know Donovan's goal was #2 on that list of most important US goals, and I've seen other say the thing, but I'll never understand why that goal was such a big deal. It seems like finishing top two in a four-team group that included Algeria and Slovenia should have been a given anyway. And it's not like that set them off to bigger and better things since they lost in the next round anyway. Avoiding catastrophic failure isn't the same as a triumph. It's always felt like one of those things driven by ESPN hype machine to me.

All very true, but the drama of the event itself was truly amazing.

[Shirtless Guy]

Re: World Soccer XXV - the run up to the World Cup

All very true, but the drama of the event itself was truly amazing.

I think this is the key...soccer has had this image in America for a long time of being boring because it's low scoring. Showing just how exciting a 1-0 game can be was huge for the American perception, even if it should have never come down to that moment.