Few people are better placed to assess the United States’ World Cup prospects than Giuseppe Rossi – born in New Jersey, shaped by European football.
In an exclusive interview with Ozoon about the FIFA World Cup, Rossi assesses Mauricio Pochettino’s tactical and personal legacy with the USMNT, explains why Christian Pulisic’s reluctance to shoulder the captaincy is both understandable and costly, and makes the case for what it would really take for the US to make a deep run on home soil.
He also turns his attention to the Premier League, weighing in on Manchester United’s transfer targets and why, regardless of what happens in this summer’s final, Lionel Messi remains in a category of one.
Italy have failed to qualify for three consecutive World Cup tournaments. What changes do you feel are necessary for Italian soccer to regain prominence?
“It’s very disappointing knowing our history and knowing the powerhouse that we are on the international stage. Not having that name at the World Cup, not only this year but for three in a row. I think it is kind of strange for many people, right?
“It sucks for us Italians not being able, for three times in a row, to enjoy a World Cup the way that we have always enjoyed. So, a lot of changes need to be made. Maybe certain things should have been done already the first time we didn’t go through, but I’m hoping that the people in charge do the right thing for the game of football and not for themselves.
“Definitely a refresh from A to Z is needed. I think everything starts at the grassroots. You can’t build something from the top down, it’s always from the bottom up. Creating a system that works for the young players, where they’re able to be rewarded thanks to their efforts and their talent, and having the right teachers of the game at a young level, which is very different from saying a coach, right?
“A teacher is what needs to be implemented in the early stages of these kids’ careers. And then you slowly transition into a coaching role when you’re trying to run the X’s and O’s and create certain strategies in order to perform well. So, that’s where it all starts from, it’s just a trickle-down effect. Now, it’s going to take time. It does require a lot of patience. “We do have a lot of talent, but this talent does get lost when you start reaching certain levels. Can we change that? Yeah.”
What changes could Serie A make to become a destination for the world’s best players in their prime again, like it was in the 90s and early 2000s?
“At this point, the Premier League is in a league of their own only because they had the courage to evolve from their old ways. You had innovators, you had people that saw the bigger picture.
“I think there’s greed everywhere in every league and in every country, but maybe they were able to put that to the side a little bit and help grow the league itself to where it is now. Now they’re reaping benefits left and right.
“That’s a model that I think Italy, and not only Italy but everybody in the world, should look at, they should understand how they market themselves and how they’re able to just adapt to the times.
“That is now and they can grow their brand because Italy’s Serie A is history. Back in the day, twenty or thirty years ago when I was a kid, everybody was there. The biggest teams in the world were there and they have to get back to the world stage. “That starts with all these leaders and presidents from the teams coming in and deciding what is best for the game of football and not their pockets.”
What would be considered a successful run for Team USA in this World Cup?
“I think reaching the knockout stages is always a significant achievement. Can they get past their group? I believe they can, and from there, anything could happen. Success is getting through the group, once you reach the knockout stages, it doesn’t always mean the bigger team wins.
“That’s what I hope happens for the US. I hope they don’t get eliminated in the first round because playing at home with all that support behind you, it would be great to see them go as far as they can.”
Which player or players have the most at stake when it comes to their legacy in this World Cup and why?
“It’s a mixture. Even Christian Pulisic said that he doesn’t want the pressure, as he doesn’t feel like that’s his type of personality. You have to respect that and make sure that everyone does their own part, not putting too much pressure on the kid, and try to do something collectively.
“I think that’s going to be the formula for the US, making sure that everyone chips in and does their bit. I think they do have talent. I think they could go past this group stage and, you know, you never know. “You could win one and get a lot of momentum. Especially in the knockouts, if you win a game, a lot of momentum gets on your side. A lot of crazy things have happened in the World Cup or in the Euros, etc. So yeah, it has to be a big collective effort for sure.”
Name your favourite to win the World Cup?
“The reason why I always say you have to throw in these big names, the Brazil’s and the Argentina’s, is because of my faith in big names like Carlo Ancelotti. I believe he is able to create an atmosphere that these players are going to enjoy being in.”
“Brazilian players always have the most pressure on them, I think they have the biggest pressure of any national team. Having a coach like Ancelotti, who can bring that down a little bit and make them understand that, while they are representing a nation, they should go out, have fun, and just be themselves, is vital.”
“He is very good at that. He is more like a psychologist than a coach, which is exactly what you need at these high levels. There is nobody better than him.”
“I am always going to name Spain. I love the beautiful game and seeing it played properly. Between them and France, I think Spain are just ahead.Spain are indeed the current World Cup favourites at Ozoon, ahead of France and Argentina.”
“Underdogs? Let’s go with the US on home soil.”
Who is the best or most dangerous goal scorer in the World Cup?
“I’m always gonna go with Harry Kane. I think he’s one of my favourite strikers right now. He’s the most complete striker, not only now, but, but the most complete striker I’ve ever seen.
“He’s in the realm of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco van Bastan in how complete he is. He still has a while to go in terms of trophies, but he’s on track. He’s definitely on track. “Can he win the big games? Can he win the big trophies? He can. I think that he will be somebody that is definitely the number one striker leading into the World Cup.”
What would mark success for the USMNT? Would a quarter-final be huge for the future of the sport?
“You never have to set yourself limits. Of course, you want to dream big and win it all, I think every team, even Curaçao, wants to do that.
“It’s good to be ambitious, but it’s also important to live in the moment. Focus on the present and what you’re doing, don’t get too carried away with what’s going to happen in the future, like the final in a month and a half.
“Don’t get caught up too far ahead, take it day by day. That’s the approach every big team and champion has, it’s all about the present moment and not getting caught up in the ‘what ifs’ of the future.”
Does it speak volumes that Tim Ream is captain over Pulisic?
“Is Tim Ream the captain to take pressure away from Christian Pulisic? It could have been part of the thinking. But definitely a great honour to be a captain of your national team, and deservedly so for him.
“I think he is more of a vocal leader than Christian, who has made it clear that he doesn’t want all that pressure, he just wants to play and enjoy himself as much as he can. Which is a shame, because you want that guy who you can rely on in the biggest moments to guide and lead the team.
“Yes, he can lead by action on the field, but it’s always good to have a player who thinks that way. Everyone has their own personality and way of doing things. “If the coach deemed Tim Ream the guy to rally the group, then I’m happy for him, and hopefully, he has a good showing.”
Pochettino has held talks with AC Milan over the managerial role – do you see that happening and how big a move would that be for the club?
“I mean, I guess these are all just speculations. I don’t know if he’s talking to Milan or not, and I’m not sure if this is true or if it’s just the papers trying to make headlines. But this is the biggest moment of his career, the World Cup, and knowing his style of coaching and his personality, I think he’s 100% focused on this.
“I don’t think he’s looking elsewhere at the moment. Obviously, this is a great platform for him to do something very important with the US, and we’re all cheering for him to do well.”
Do you expect Mauricio Pochettino to continue in the role? Does it depend on the outcome?
“If Mauricio Pochettino has offers of that calibre from big clubs like Milan, I don’t think I would think twice if I were him. When he signed with the US, this was a great opportunity, he didn’t have a team at the time, so it was an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“But now that he’s being linked with big teams, that’s where you always want to be and rightfully so. He has a lot to give and a lot of talent as a coach.
“Being a coach who only works once every two months is a disservice to the game, it’s always better to see him coaching every single day. We shall see.”
What did you make of Landon Donovan and Tim Howard saying that Clint Dempsey was better than Eden Hazard and Sadio Mane?
“That’s just a great marketing video. They did right by their boy. Obviously, they’re all buddies and Clint is a great player, he did great things at Fulham, at Spurs, with the national team.
“He definitely deserves his flowers. But yeah, there’s certain players on that list, that it’s very hard to argue that Clint was better than.”
Could 21-year-old Alex Freeman be the breakout star for the USMNT at the World Cup this summer?
“Alex Freeman could do well. He could definitely bring in the experience he gained in Spain. It’s a different world there, one where he had his ups and downs, but there is a lot to take from that experience with Villarreal into this World Cup.
“He is young and will continue to learn; he is in the best place possible to do so at Villarreal. I hope to see him on the pitch and ball out.”
Atletico Madrid star Johnny Cardoso will miss the World Cup through injury – how big of a blow is that for the US?
“It sucks. For Johnny Cardoso, Diego Luna, and Jack McGlynn. These are young, hungry players I would have loved to see on the team, but obviously, the coach has to make tough decisions and fitness plays a part.
“I’m sure they were all in discussions before finalizing the squad. When you have a deep team and a good pool of players, these are the tough decisions you have to make. “It’s something for these players to use as fuel and motivation. They’re young and have another three or four World Cups left in their careers, so they should just use it as fuel to continue to get better.”
What did you make of Pochettino’s decision to email players who didn’t make the 26-man squad?
“The emails are interesting. It depends on the coach’s personality. Being a close-knit group, especially for players who have been in the system for a while and have been called up many times, a call is always the right thing to do.
“It shows respect and the family-oriented culture you’re trying to build in the national team. But there are other players who don’t necessarily need that call. So, I think it depends on the personality of the coach, but also on how close they are with the players, it won’t have gone down well for everyone.”
If Cristiano Ronaldo wins the World Cup with Portugal, can he be considered on par with Lionel Messi as the GOAT?
“Imagine if Cristiano Ronaldo does win the World Cup, it would be crazy. The debates would be constant, and he has a great chance because he has a fantastic team with young, hungry players.
“They have the best midfielders, like Vitinha and Joao Neves with Nuno Mende in the team too, they have a squad of proven players. If they win this, it’s going to spark some uncomfortable GOAT conversations.
“However, I don’t always look at titles. I prefer to look at the style of play and how a player interprets the game, and in that regard, I don’t think anyone in the world does it the way Lionel Messi does. Winning the World Cup won’t change my opinion. Whether Ronaldo ends up lifting the trophy is one of the biggest storylines of the 2026 World Cup.”
There has been talk again of a 66-team World Cup – what are your thoughts on that and would it ruin the iconic tournament with too many boring matches?
“It’s an interesting topic, but there’s always a limit. Let’s see how things go this year. We have teams like Curaçao and Haiti in the tournament, which is great to see. However, you don’t want to water down the level of what the World Cup represents.
“The history and meaning of the tournament are most important. While being inclusive and giving chances to more countries is a brave initiative, something worth fighting for, as Infantino has, we need to see how this tournament goes and what the future holds.”
What are your thoughts on the World Cup final half-time show, and do you expect President Trump to play a part?
“It’s Americans, put it that way. Football is an international sport. I would just keep it the way it was, fifteen minutes in and out. As a player, being in the changing room for half an hour is very, very difficult after a first half, so that’s going to be an adjustment for the teams that go there.
“I understand the marketing and all that, but I think it’s important to keep certain things the way they are. Keep its integrity the way it is, then just go about the game and let the players be the protagonists of the night.
“Will the President be there? He’s got a lot of important things to figure out right now, so I don’t know if that’s on the list. But never say never, he surprises everybody, so we shall see.”
Can Villareal’s Tajon Buchanan be an unexpected breakthrough star at the World Cup for Canada?
“All this experience that Tajon Buchanan has been able to gain being in Europe, being in Spain, under a great team and great players that Villarreal has, I feel like it’s only beneficial to the Canadian national team. So I hope he’s able to bring that. “I hope he’s able to represent Villarreal the right way with the right values for Canada and I hope he does ball out as well.”
“All this experience that Tajon Buchanan has been able to gain being in Europe, being in Spain, under a great team and great players that Villarreal has, I feel like it’s only beneficial to the Canadian national team. So I hope he’s able to bring that. “I hope he’s able to represent Villarreal the right way with the right values for Canada and I hope he does ball out as well. Canada face Switzerland, Bosnia & Herzegovina, and Qatar in Group B — a draw that gives Buchanan and the rest of the squad a realistic shot at the knockouts.”
“Jesse Marsch’ experience, that plays a big part. Experience is crucial in everything you do. Having coached in England, Austria, and at Red Bulls in New York, he has a solid resume to bring to the national team.
“More importantly, he’s a great communicator who knows how to motivate players the right way. I think that’s his biggest trait, and in a tournament like this, that’s much more important than the X’s and O’s. They have a good shot at making it out of the group stage, so we’ll see what happens.”
As New York Cosmos Head of Soccer and Vice Chairman, what are your thoughts on soccer in the US and can MLS grow into one of the biggest leagues in the world?
“I think that’s what they have to do. They need to be a league that grows young players and is able to export them to other leagues. That’s really what they should be focused on.
“You’re not going to get the prime Messi, the prime Ibra, or the prime Beckham, that’s just not going to happen. It’s great for marketing and selling tickets, but once they’re gone, what’s next? It’s not sustainable.
“How can they find sustainability? Just like we said about Italian soccer, you have to build from the ground up. They are putting efforts into youth, which is great, but there’s a long way to go.”
Roberto Lewandowski has been tipped as a short-term option for Man Utd as Sesko finds his feet, would you like to see it?
“Robert Lewandowski to Man Utd? Yeah, why not? Of course, Lewandowski would be an incredible asset for the young players, providing his experience and big-game knowledge.
“With Benjamin Sesko being a young, growing player, having someone like Lewandowski on the team would only benefit him. It’s a no-brainer. He has a huge resume and on a short-term deal, it’s a win-win.”
Which of your former Man Utd team-mates would you most like to see on the coaching staff alongside Michael Carrick?
“I’m super happy for Michael Carrick and his staff. I think they’ve done a brilliant job this year. Truthfully, I don’t know why they waited that long, but I’m happy that the right decision was made.
“Having somebody who understands the culture, and isn’t going to come around to change everything just for the sake of it, is key. I think Manchester United is built on a specific way of doing things, a culture established by Sir Alex Ferguson, and Michael understands that.
“His approach seems very similar; I call that a formula for success. It would be great to see other former names on the coaching staff, Wayne Rooney, would be interesting.
“I know they had a great friendship and time together. But yeah, just imagine if Wazza did come back as an assistant, that would be pretty crazy. Fans would love it.”
The Pep Guardiola vs Sir Alex Ferguson debate continues to rage on, can you see the arguments for Pep?
“My opinion leans towards Sir Alex Ferguson, but I think it’s a fair comparison, definitely, given what Pep has done, how he changed the game, and what he has won in those ten years at Man City.
“I think from ten years ago until now, Man City has changed forever, and that’s all thanks to him, primarily Guardiola. He deserves every bit of praise and all the respect possible.
“The reason why I always say Sir Alex Ferguson is unbeatable is because of his longevity and how he sustained greatness for over twenty years. That’s something very, very hard to do. So yes, Pep Guardiola is very close to that level of Sir Alex Ferguson in the Premier League but he couldn’t last as long and that’s the difference.
“But Pep deserves everything that’s coming his way. We’re definitely going to miss him. I wish I could see him on the sideline, it’s a disservice not having somebody like him there, but he definitely deserves a little bit of rest.”
What would your advice be to a young Manchester United prospect like Chido Obi? Is a loan move risky?
“Chido Obi’s future? I think it depends on what you want to get out of it. I was in that same position, I wanted to showcase my talent more and more, but I had world-class players in front of me at seventeen or eighteen years old.
“I had to go out on loan to showcase my ability, to prove to people that I could play on this big stage and be part of something bigger than just sitting on the bench. It is a risk, but it’s a risk you need to take.
“Some people feel comfortable just being in that setting, and there’s nothing wrong with that because your time will come, but you never know when that time will be. I didn’t want to lose any time, and I wanted to go out and showcase my talent. That was my decision, but people are different and all these personalities are obviously different.”
Should Newcastle cash in on Sandro Tonali and if so, how much should they be getting?
“I would definitely love to see another Italian play for Manchester United. There aren’t many Italians who have played for United, I think Sandro Tonali has the right characteristics to be a big piece there.
“I think the fans would love him, he’s a quality player who gets stuck into tackles, which is something everyone in England loves. He’s had a very good run with Newcastle, and I think he’s definitely a player who would do great for Manchester United.”
Would you love to see Alex Freeman at Man Utd if he is to leave Villarreal this summer? Does he have what it takes?
“Alex Freeman at Man Utd? There are many talented young players out there, and you always want to see young Americans playing for the best teams in the world. However, reaching that level takes time, hard work, and determination. I believe players just need to concentrate on the present moment, get better each day, and then you never know what opportunities will come.”
Would Damien Duff make sense as the new Celtic boss? He has coached there in the past?
“He was a great player. A really nice guy, too. I’m happy he’s found his niche in the soccer world as a coach and is being linked to a big job like Celtic.
“That’s a massive club, and I think that’s something he’ll take very seriously, he was always a professional in training, every single time on the pitch. I have very good memories of playing with Duff and I wish him all the best.”
Who realistically would you love Newcastle to sign this summer? Federico Chiesa?
“I could see Federico Chiesa thriving at a team like Newcastle. Federico needs to find continuity and the right environment to showcase what he’s capable of. He has a lot to prove and a lot to give, but it’s all up to him.
“We hope he can rediscover the form he showed back in 2020 when we won the Euros, he was such an important piece for us. He’s one of the best wingers out there, and even though he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype recently, he has the capability. I have great faith that he can turn it around, he just needs to want it.”
Did the most recent Italy squad surprise you?
“I see the latest squad selection as a way to take the pressure off the players who played in the last game, giving them time to breathe, relax, and release that tension they’ve been getting from the media and fans.
“It also gives these young players an opportunity to represent the national team. However, I’m sure we’ll see many of the experienced players back in the mix again. At the end of the day, the national team should feature the best players available at that moment.”