This is the thread for all threads about Freddy starting/not starting!

[FC Tallavana]

I know that starting a Freddy thread is BS Suicide but I've got no other choice.

Since last year's All-Star game Freddy has been one of the best players on DC United yet his minutes seem to be going down. Have I missed something here? Has anything been stated publicly that might shed some light on what role Freddy will be playing this season and why?

[Bolivianfuego]

Well personally i think Nowak is sort of having that 'holding a carrot infront of him' trype deal with giving him little time. Its showing everyone little by little what he can do. Just basically showing him that everything comes in its time. Thats how i see it. Personally the way things are going i wouldnt be surprised if starts games sometime this season. But then again i cant say this cause i aient peter. LOL

[DutchFootballRulez]

Well, Adu's limited time seems to be a concern about him playing on the wing and exposing the 3 defenders with his lack of defensive ability. Eventually, Adu will be a full-time starter.

[Bolivianfuego]

Thats a good point but i feel with more time he will learn to be more agressive. He seems to be getting more confident on the field, which = playing harder and better IMO. I feel in the right hands freddy will devlop into one of the greats in this country.

[voros]

Well, Adu's limited time seems to be a concern about him playing on the wing and exposing the 3 defenders with his lack of defensive ability. Eventually, Adu will be a full-time starter.
The way he played tonight, eventually probably needs to come pretty soon.

[Bayern1986]

The way he played tonight, eventually probably needs to come pretty soon.

Exactly,he changed the whole game when he came in and DCU almost pulled it out at the end. (So close on that shot by Adu how nice it would have been).

[Sachin]

Well, we're winning under the current system, so he has to get better to force a change.

Remember, this is the DC United forum. If you don't care about United as a team more than Freddy, you're in the wrong place.

Sachin

[voros]

Well, we're winning under the current system, so he has to get better to force a change.
What exactly would you call tonight if not getting better?

The player I saw tonight would help any MLS team win. Now that's not to say he's always going to play that well, but certainly when a player plays that well, it's probably good for the team as a whole (not just Freddy), to give that player a small boost in his playing time. When your bench players play well, it's imperative to reward them to keep them motivated and ready to help you when you need them.

[Sundevil9]

What exactly would you call tonight if not getting better?

The player I saw tonight would help any MLS team win. Now that's not to say he's always going to play that well, but certainly when a player plays that well, it's probably good for the team as a whole (not just Freddy), to give that player a small boost in his playing time. When your bench players play well, it's imperative to reward them to keep them motivated and ready to help you when you need them.

Yes, Freddy had a good game against Pumas. AND he was where he should be on the field, in the attacking midfield role. In order to get himself into the starting lineup, he needs to be better than Gomez, and right now, he isn't.

He needs to play in the right position if he's truly going to develop, it's not just a matter of getting him on the field, otherwise he would have played for Stokes.

[voros]

He needs to play in the right position if he's truly going to develop,
So you think sitting on the bench is better for his development than playing left wing or forward? Interesting...

I'm not saying he should take anyone's job. But it's a long season and everybody could use a rest occassionally, and if you want to see more of this out of Freddy it would be wise to reward with some extra minutes for a bit. If he plays that well and nothing changes for him in terms of game action, what sort of message does that send him? How do you motivate a bench player whose given the message that it really doesn't matter how well he plays, he's not going to get any extra minutes?

[Sundevil9]

So you think sitting on the bench is better for his development than playing left wing or forward? Interesting...

I'm not saying he should take anyone's job. But it's a long season and everybody could use a rest occassionally, and if you want to see more of this out of Freddy it would be wise to reward with some extra minutes for a bit. If he plays that well and nothing changes for him in terms of game action, what sort of message does that send him? How do you motivate a bench player whose given the message that it really doesn't matter how well he plays, he's not going to get any extra minutes?

This was the fourth competitive match of 2005. There are plenty more opportunities.

After seeing Freddy play forward, wing, and in the middle, he's got tons more to offer in the middle. At the other two spots, he's average at best.

[neilgrossman]

Well, Adu's limited time seems to be a concern about him playing on the wing and exposing the 3 defenders with his lack of defensive ability.

Guppy is not the answer defensively on the wings. Adu may not be a great defender, but at least he has the quickness to defend. Guppy proved he didn't against Chivas. He was luck not to be exploited against Pumas.

They should put Adu in there. They give up nothing in defensive ability. Adu may not cross as well as Guppy, but Adu is a better offensive player. He's not going to get much better playing 15 minutes a game.

[imasyko]

So you think sitting on the bench is better for his development than playing left wing or forward? Interesting...

I'm not saying he should take anyone's job. But it's a long season and everybody could use a rest occassionally, and if you want to see more of this out of Freddy it would be wise to reward with some extra minutes for a bit. If he plays that well and nothing changes for him in terms of game action, what sort of message does that send him? How do you motivate a bench player whose given the message that it really doesn't matter how well he plays, he's not going to get any extra minutes?

There has been a lot of discussion on this very point in regards to the development, or lack thereof, of a certain Mr. Convey. In a recent Q&A (posted on the YA forum) even BC himself questions whether his playing several positions hasn't hampered his ability to find one position and hone his skills. My guess is that Freddy is being groomed as Moreno's replacement - probably as early as next season.

[FWSCKEEPER]

Is it not possible for Freddy to play in the Reserve matches at AM ???

[croix]

Our plan for Freddy Adu:

First, we sneak into his bedroom and steal his underpants

Second,

Third, we live lavishly off our profits from the first two steps


The Underpants Gnomes

[Skurwiel007]

Agreed.Guppy is not a good player,sorry guys and Freddy needs more playing time that's for sure. :)

Guppy is not the answer defensively on the wings. Adu may not be a great defender, but at least he has the quickness to defend. Guppy proved he didn't against Chivas. He was luck not to be exploited against Pumas.

They should put Adu in there. They give up nothing in defensive ability. Adu may not cross as well as Guppy, but Adu is a better offensive player. He's not going to get much better playing 15 minutes a game.

[pokemoncards]

though he was only in for 15 minutes, he looked alot more dangerous than gomez during that time.

[pokemoncards]

one thing I noticed just now watching the replay, 1v1 freddy went to his left, again. He needs to mix it up a bit more I think, develop his ability to goto his right. His shot with that foot isn't so bad, I think it's just a confidence issue.

[EdTheRed]

though he was only in for 15 minutes, he looked alot more dangerous than gomez during that time.
Yeah, Gomez didn't look very dangerous when he was scoring that goal. :rolleyes:

Gomez is producing, and the team has a great record with him in the starting lineup. It's hard to pull a player like that out. Personally, I'm very glad the team is facing this issue. This kind of competition for playing time makes for a deep squad, and will only help out come September and October.

[MLSNHTOWN]

I guess I don't understand Nowak's system too much in that he is playing a 3-5-2 already. Why does the a-mid in a 3-5-2 have to play that great of a defense. (especially the way that DCU is playing it)?