You Just Want to Be On the Side That's Winning

If you've seen any sports coverage since Monday, you've surely become acquainted (or re-acquainted) with the name of Giuseppe Rossi, the American-Italian striker who was born in Teaneck, New Jersey, yet plays for the Italian Men's National Team based on his dual citizenship.

Rossi tormented his birth nation on Monday with two goals, including a fabulous strike from 25-30 yards out that arced past a helpless Tim Howard into the upper left corner of the American goal.

In the aftermath of the match, there has been the usual banter about whether we should allow athletes born in America to play for other nations, even if those athletes do possess dual citizenship based on the nationalization status of their parents at the time of their birth. I don't fault Rossi for choosing to play with one of the better national teams in the world (even though they lost today to Egypt 1-0), especially since former U.S. National Team manager Bruce Arena went on record as saying that "he wasn't going to chase around some teenager" regarding Rossi's decision to play for his parents' homeland.

I say all that to say this: I may not fault Rossi for his decision, but there are others out there among the American soccer fanbase who feel a wee bit different. The shirt you see below is what happens when rabid soccer fandom meets creative graphic design.

Giuseppe, don't take the "Judas" tag too hard, though. It was placed on a guy some people used to know as "Robert Zimmerman", and I think he's done okay for himself.