You're supposed to dribble with an objective in mind. Freddy in Aris reminded me of a young Robinho: dribbling for the sake of it, because it looks good, because it's fun, only to find himself in the end surrounded and with nothing to do but lose the ball.
oh sure, he's what I call a 5/95 player: he spends 95% of the time making plays that will only work 5% of the time. I can't count how many times I've seen him dribble into 3 players instead of hold it up, but that's why he's not playing.
Aris was > 4 years ago. I confess I never saw any of his matches there. I did see almost every one of his matches at the Union and that was not an issue IMO. In some ways Adu would do much better on the 2014 edition of the Union since they look to possess and do keep the ball more. Looking at taht scenario he could certainly replace Nogueiro who at 5'7" and 140 lbs is around the same size as Freddy. You then look at how much ground Nogueira covers to facilitate and connect Philly's offense and then Adu's issues becomes quite clear.
Freddy to professional soccer is what Harlem Globetrotters player to professional basketball. Everything: size, athleticism, age, achievements.
The Greek League is better defensively than the MLS. With the Swiss League, they are the two European leagues focused on pressing and 'herding', so that attackers end up isolated. Freddy fell for it time and again. Also, with them, Freddy played LAM, or even LW. With Union he was more central, most of the games I watched he was the CAM, and when he was on the left, he tended to come inside to allow Marfan to act as a SS.
I don't know what most of these mean - but again, we disagree. Tab was a better dribbler than Freddy and a more effective player, but unfortunately didn't live in the youtube era so I can't seem to find any video proof. Clint Mathis wasn't just the most spectacular finisher - there was a period where he was firing on all cylinders - amazing passer, amazingly creative, amazing burst of pace, and could score against anyone (with his head and either foot). For a while our best finisher ever, although his peak was unfortunately short. I may be in the minority, but I personally think Bradley is better than JOB. We would agree that Donovan is our best ever.
Freddy also played primarily as AMR or AML the 35 matches he played with Philly. I see only 6 matches where he played centrally. That was a big part of his problem with the Union. He thought he would be given the keys centrally and Hack fell in love with M Farfan. In any case neither here nor there. IMO Adu's issues at Philly was not due to over dribbling. Most of the time he would try to play possession, try to move the ball up field by knocking it around while the rest of the Union wanted to play kick and run after it.
Agree. He was always getting himself surrounded. Looked great on youtube clips when he managed to get out of it and make a great play or pass - problem is he shouldn't have gotten himself in those situations in the first place.
oh NOW you're just kidding. how's it feel getting called out for being a bully internet tough guy?? I know it's a no no around here to call out other posters but screw you guy. sitting on your couch somewhere, armchair quarterbacking something WAY above your pay grade. Getting your "lol's" off the failure of another. you feel like a big tough guy huh? Glad the moderator called you out! you are childish and stupid, red card me or whatever this guy is freaking lame and should be ashamed at calling out a good guy. freddy is a good guy, just because he couldn't put it together at the end of the day there is no reason to be laughing at him and making fun of him on the internet. you can't just back off your comments asshole, screw you!
figures you're from houston you're a bore and if this is what you think about when it comes to soccer I hope you stay FAR FAR away from any pitch where your stupid ideas about what is important could be taken for intelligence. your assessment is EVERYTHING wrong with youth development in this country. You need the things you are talking about but they don't do diddly squat in big matches with big players. you need genius. Freddy is the ONLY american player I've ever seen with that level of genius. And you can't take that away from him
Now, now, don't be so harsh with yourself Nealesk. When your therapist told you to take a good look in the mirror, and share your thoughts on the person you saw, he probably had something more "Stuart Smalleyish" in mind.
and I figured this would be the gut reaction of another impish loser poster on this board. well done, great job there buddy
You are as predictable as a metronome. Which is just about as predictable as what will happen should another club take a chance on Freddy. Santa Fe' isn't high enough to explain why your blood boils, Nealesk, so apparently nothing stands between you and an embolism but your remarkable calm under duress.
You misunderstand. I'm not laughing at Adu... I'm laughing at you! I don't "make fun of Adu". I might make fun of the guys that maximize his every strength and minimize his every flaw, but even that is kind of few and far between for the most part. That one little post about age in particular, that's what I was joking about. Would I be surprised if he was older than he says he is? No. But it's not a real issue for me, so yeah I was kidding a bit. And I didn't even bring it up, you'll notice. Maybe I should have put a smiley in there or something. He's not your buddy. He's an over-hyped, under-performing soccer player.
BigSoccer and drinking generally don't mix. If you want to flame people, go post in the comments section to an ESPN article.
He posted another short video of himself running on a field. It looks like he does not think it is over for him.