Even if he's not really missed by the fans, Alexi Lalas really did have a positive experience in Italy in which he added decent performances with Padova for two years. Moreover, during the first season, in 1994-95, the defender helped the team stay save from relegation, even by scoring three goals, including the ones against Milan and Inter.
Considered the second American-born player ever playing in Serie A, the Italian/American Armando Frigo was, for several years, a main character of Vicenza and Fiorentina. He even won the Coppa Italia of 1939, achieved by beating Genoa in the final after having eliminated Milan, Juventus and Lazio in the previous rounds. He was killed by the Nazis during World War II, where he fought as a member of the Italian army.
Michael Bradley has said goodbye to Serie A after two and a half years of great performances, both with Chievo Verona and Roma. His unfortunate goodbye resulted from the arrival of Radja Nainggolan to the capital side, which pushed the 26 year old down even more in Rudi Garcia's rankings for the midfield line, also composed by other great players Daniele De Rossi, Kevin Strootman, Rodrigo Taddei and Miralem Pjanić.
Unknown by many, Alfonso Negro is an important part of United States' sports history. As a matter of fact, he is, to this day, the only American-born soccer player in ever winning a Golden Olympic medal, which he achieved with the Italian national team in Berlin in 1936. With Fiorentina, he also became the first American-born professional to ever play in Serie A.
Even if he's considered a real traitor for American fans, the truth is that Giuseppe Rossi is, without a doubt, the very best American-born player in Serie A history. Just like it was for Negro, his decision of playing for Italy instead of the United States will never hide how much he identifies with the American culture as a person. For sure, in terms of talent and quality, nobody has been better than him.
About | Contact | Write for Us | Advertise
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
© 2014 Rant Media Network, Inc & www.RantSports.com
Partner with USA TODAY Sports Digital Properties