Rossi Beijing-bound…for Italy

By BRIAN LEWIS

Clifton (NJ) product Giuseppe Rossi is headed to the Beijing Olympics next month _ but not for the U.S. He was picked to play for the Italian soccer team that starts training next week at near Florence. For all of you U.S. National team fans that love Rossi so much, I’m sure this warms your little hearts.

Sorry. I couldn’t resist. I’m finishing up my marathon 11-day stay out in green Eugene, Oregon for the Olympic Track & Field trials, and figured this tidbit would brighten some days. And speaking of U.S. Olympic teams, Rossi’s Villareal teammate _ ex-Red Bull Jozy Altidore _ is still waiting to see if he’s going to Beijing.

It’s unclear if Yellow Submarine coach Manuel Pellegrini is going to OK having two young forwards absent during training camp, which starts July 14th. Villareal’s first preseason game is July 30 vs. Liverpool. The Olympic soccer tourney runs Aug. 8-24.