US-born Rossi helps Italy beat America 3-1 in Confed Cup

"I've known the Rossi family a long time, Giuseppe's dad coached high school soccer in New Jersey. I hoped that he would have played for us but he made his decision."

Italy coach Marcello Lippi too dwelled on his star substitute's birthplace, smiling: "I was certainly happy tonight Giuseppe was Italian and not American."

Lippi was without injured World Cup winning captain Fabio Cannavaro.

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