CatenaccioNA Weekly Roundup, Episode 1
New in 2014 is a weekly look at the performances of North Americans in Serie A, and of Italians and non-Italian former Serie A players in Major League Soccer.
I mean, what kind of credible source on Serie A as experienced in North America would Catenaccio be if it didn't report on the weekly slings and arrows of our North American protagonists in Serie A?
With the likes of Di Vaio, Henry, Paponi, and Ferrari off until March the task is rather easy since, after extensive research, I have found that there are only two North Americans who ply their trade in Italy's top tier league, and both are New Jersey-born: Giuseppe Rossi and Michael Bradley.
However, being born in the same State is about all that these two have in common.
Bradley is a born-in-Princeton, raised in the mid-west, son of well-known and well-respected coach Bob, sown and harvested in the US college system, all-American darling. And when the US national team call-up came his answer was a resounding "yes!".
Rossi is a born in Teaneck, son of Italian immigrant teachers in Clifton, the town where he resided until - at age 14 - he moved to Parma to begin his youth career. His dual citizenship and his skill gain him call-ups in Italy's under-16, under-17 and under-18 squads, which he represents. So it would seem natural that when, in the lead up to World Cup 2006, Bruce Arena finally takes notice of him and calls him for a tryout with the United States, Pepito (as his fans call him) kindly and respectfully declines. This unleashed upon Rossi harsh criticism - and in some cases wrath - by many American soccer lovers, many of whom haven't forgiven him to this day.
Hold your horses. There is a third North American who plays in Serie A. Well, not really a North American (born or bred) but a player with North American - wait for it, Canadian - roots. I am talking of course of none other than AC Milan's youth sensation Bryan Cristante. YES, him. Cristante possesses a Canadian passport as his father was born in Toronto. Before you Canucks get your knickers in a knot, he has followed the same exact path that Rossi took, playing in all of Italy's youth teams. So, his future is azzurro.
Before I inaugurate this weekly feature and delve in their performances this week, let's catch up on performance thus far. Cristante has made a few appearances for AC Milan and, well, I don't want to spoil the next section. Bradley first featured this season as a starter in Garcia's AS Roma, and scored the game-winning goal against Chievo. However, over time Bradley lost the confidence of Garcia who preferred Pjanic and even Florenzi to him. So far, Bradley collected 11 appearances - 6 as a substitute.
Pepito Rossi, instead, made a roaring comeback from consecutive ACL injuries in 2013. He immediately established himself in Fiorentina's starting line up, and paid dividends for Montella leading the scoring charts with 15 goals and producing 5 assists in all competitions for the viola.
Week 18 Update
The 2014 part of Serie A got off to a fantastic start for Bryan Cristante who scored his debut goal in Serie A:
Cristante's great start is contrasted heavily by those of our other North American heros: Michael Bradley did not feature in AS Roma's heavy away loss at Juventus; while Rossi suffered another knee injury (his MCL this time) after a dangerous challenge by Livorno's Rinaudo in the Tuscan derby.
So, before I sign off, I join the North American soccer community in wishing Pepito a fast recovery and a swift return to scoresheet for club and country. #ForzaPepito!
I mean, what kind of credible source on Serie A as experienced in North America would Catenaccio be if it didn't report on the weekly slings and arrows of our North American protagonists in Serie A?
With the likes of Di Vaio, Henry, Paponi, and Ferrari off until March the task is rather easy since, after extensive research, I have found that there are only two North Americans who ply their trade in Italy's top tier league, and both are New Jersey-born: Giuseppe Rossi and Michael Bradley.
However, being born in the same State is about all that these two have in common.
Bradley is a born-in-Princeton, raised in the mid-west, son of well-known and well-respected coach Bob, sown and harvested in the US college system, all-American darling. And when the US national team call-up came his answer was a resounding "yes!".
Rossi is a born in Teaneck, son of Italian immigrant teachers in Clifton, the town where he resided until - at age 14 - he moved to Parma to begin his youth career. His dual citizenship and his skill gain him call-ups in Italy's under-16, under-17 and under-18 squads, which he represents. So it would seem natural that when, in the lead up to World Cup 2006, Bruce Arena finally takes notice of him and calls him for a tryout with the United States, Pepito (as his fans call him) kindly and respectfully declines. This unleashed upon Rossi harsh criticism - and in some cases wrath - by many American soccer lovers, many of whom haven't forgiven him to this day.
Hold your horses. There is a third North American who plays in Serie A. Well, not really a North American (born or bred) but a player with North American - wait for it, Canadian - roots. I am talking of course of none other than AC Milan's youth sensation Bryan Cristante. YES, him. Cristante possesses a Canadian passport as his father was born in Toronto. Before you Canucks get your knickers in a knot, he has followed the same exact path that Rossi took, playing in all of Italy's youth teams. So, his future is azzurro.
Before I inaugurate this weekly feature and delve in their performances this week, let's catch up on performance thus far. Cristante has made a few appearances for AC Milan and, well, I don't want to spoil the next section. Bradley first featured this season as a starter in Garcia's AS Roma, and scored the game-winning goal against Chievo. However, over time Bradley lost the confidence of Garcia who preferred Pjanic and even Florenzi to him. So far, Bradley collected 11 appearances - 6 as a substitute.
Pepito Rossi, instead, made a roaring comeback from consecutive ACL injuries in 2013. He immediately established himself in Fiorentina's starting line up, and paid dividends for Montella leading the scoring charts with 15 goals and producing 5 assists in all competitions for the viola.
Week 18 Update
The 2014 part of Serie A got off to a fantastic start for Bryan Cristante who scored his debut goal in Serie A:
Cristante's great start is contrasted heavily by those of our other North American heros: Michael Bradley did not feature in AS Roma's heavy away loss at Juventus; while Rossi suffered another knee injury (his MCL this time) after a dangerous challenge by Livorno's Rinaudo in the Tuscan derby.
So, before I sign off, I join the North American soccer community in wishing Pepito a fast recovery and a swift return to scoresheet for club and country. #ForzaPepito!
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