New Jersey-born striker Giuseppe Rossi passed on the chance to play for the U.S. national team more than two years ago, and the 2010 World Cup looked like it would be his chance to show the world why he made the decision to play for Italy.
Rossi will have to wait a while longer.
The Villarreal striker was cut from the Italian national team, falling short in the quest to appear in his first World Cup. Fabio Quagliarella beat out Rossi and Marco Borriello for the final forward spot on Marcelo Lippi's roster.
Rossi is still young and, at 23, he should still figure into the Italian national team picture, but the fact remains he won't be playing in this summer's World Cup (unless he is brought in as an injury replacement before the tournament begins). That will bring some satisfaction to U.S. fans who have never forgiven his decision to play for Italy (or his goal-scoring celebration against the United States during last summer's Confederations Cup).
The harsh reality is that if Rossi had chosen to play for the United States he would be a certain starter. Now, he will start his vacation early (though he'll likely gain some comfort from the fact that many of Europe's top teams are looking to acquire him this summer).
What do you think of this news? Surprised? Feeling a little Schaudenfraude? Think the ESPN Magazine cover doomed Rossi?
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