Random Rants On The Beautiful Game: Rossi is unlikely to ever don a USA jersey.

Rossi is unlikely to ever don a USA jersey.

By Chris Courtney
SoccerTimes

PARIS (Friday, November 10, 2006) -- Giuseppe Rossi in a USA shirt? Dream on.

The dual United States-Italy citizen and Manchester United player (currently on loan to Newcastle United) now appears even further from team USA's grasp than ever before. After the World Cup, there was much speculation that the New Jersey-born striker would choose to play for the U.S. instead of taking his chances with the Azzurri. The thinking was that since Italy tends to only select players plying their trade in the domestic Serie A, a player in the English Premier League (such as Rossi) would be overlooked.

This was true until this recent summer's Calciopoli scandal rocked the Italian soccer scene. Since the demolition of the Juventus team sent some of Italy's best abroad, now coach Roberto Donadoni is forced to look beyond Serie A to make his selections. Italy's World Cup team captain Fabio Cannavaro now suits up for Real Madrid, while fellow Italy (and former Juventus) defender Gianluca Zambrotta now starts at right back for FC Barcelona.

Real Madrid's other Italian player, Antonio Cassano, was not selected for last year's World Cup squad, but he has been called up since Donadoni took over. Since Donadoni is turning over every rock in search of the right players to build a quality side for Italy to challenge for the title at Euro 2008, Rossi's chances for a full Italy call-up appear better than ever.

Donadoni has said he is keeping an eye on Rossi, who made his first start for Newcastle and even appeared in the Italy under-21 men's 0-0 draw with Spain on September 6. If Rossi can hit his stride this year (especially after a January return to Manchester United), look for Donadoni to give him a look some time in the spring.

Of course, not every Italian player outside of Serie A is having a banner season so far. Cannavaro did struggle in his early matches for Real Madrid, often appearing lost since he was no longer receiving the same support he was accustomed to in Juventus (and Italy's) compact 4-3-3 system. He has since found his feet and was a major factor in disrupting Barcelona's potent offense in Real's recent 2-0 win over its Catalan rival.

Zambrotta, for his part, has been solid, but unspectacular, at Barca as he settles into coach Frank Rijkaard's lineup. The mercurial Cassano, currently in Real's doghouse, has now been linked to Naples as a possible acquisition if the surging Serie B side manages to claw its way back into Serie A.

Speaking of those who seem to be struggling this season, it is hard not to notice that Barcelona's Brazilian Ronaldinho has lost some of his magic this year. To me, he looks simply exhausted and could probably use a rest. After a grueling season of Spanish La Liga and Champion's League matches, not to mention the World Cup and the warmup matches leading to it, it is no surprise that Ronaldinho (like so many others) appears to be out of gas. With the injury to striker Sammy Eto'o and Barca's recent rough patch in league and European games, Rijkaard can ill afford to rest his star player, meaning Ronnie's rest will probably need to wait until December.

Chris Courtney is SoccerTimes European correspondent and lives in Brussels.

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