I agree with your comments about the Italians and soccer as well as most other countries in the world. It is instinctual versus the learned way we teach soccer in the US. Until we get to that point, i.e., an instinctual feel for the game similar to that we have for basketball, it will be difficult to be competitive and dominant at the highest levels of soccer. We already have the skills and techniques, but still lack the feel for the game. It is changing, but we are still not there yet.
Tying in to a few different posts on this thread, I was fortunate enough to have met Rinus Michels, The 1974 Dutch coach.
The gist of his philosophy was that there are an infinite number of variables in soccer situations that affect a player's decision process. The most affective decision can only be made by relying on vast experience. That experience comes from playing in the street for hours daily.
One of his premises was that Americans are accustomed to playing sports, such as football, where movement and decisions are made by the coach. He felt that was detrimental to their soccer success even though they are far superior athletically.