Arena: "There's a strong likelihood he[Adu] will be at camp"

[pc4th]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/20/AR2005102001884.html

U.S. national team coach Bruce Arena said yesterday that he will probably invite D.C. United teenager Freddy Adu to training camp in January, the first formal preparations for the 2006 World Cup.

"There's a strong likelihood he'll be at camp," Arena said. "He has shown a lot of progress and we need to take a look at him."

However, in the aftermath of Adu's complaints this week about his playing time with United, Arena added a caveat: "He won't be [invited] if he keeps running his mouth and tries to punch out his coach."

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Commenting on the controversy involving Adu's playing time with United, Arena said: "Freddy is going to be a very good player. I just wish people would be more patient. The adults around him are causing the problem. They need to show some patience and allow the kid to grow up, on the field and off the field."

Arena commended Nowak for the way he has overseen Adu's development but reiterated his criticism of MLS and United. "The league and United have done a disservice [to Adu] in how they've dealt with the publicity surrounding his signing and being in the league," he said. "It should have been handled better."

[Fulham Fan]

I always thought Nowak showed some wisdom in the way he treated Adu. I think Arena should have spoken to Adu privately before there was this public outburst. Adu has his sights set on the Prem and he didn't really need more playing time with DC, which could have caused him injury. He'd get to England, anyways. His only legitimate concern (I feel) was the national team, and I think Arena should have viewed it that way.

[dmike]

a lil late there with the thread??

[russ]

Discussion going on in the thread on Freddy's Chances....maybe merge this into that one because this has the full quote.

[appoo]

hahahahahahahahahahah

[seahawkdad]

...Adu has his sights set on the Prem...I've been updating an English, Chelsea fan, friend about the Freddy Folies. Here's his response:

"thanks for the updates on Freddy, it was always gonna be interesting to
see how his career went, not so good at the moment it seems
Speaking out to the press will not get him a place at Chelsea, one
player tried it this season and soon found himself out of the team and
not even on the bench"

[superdave]

Man, it's like there's a brawl in the saloon, and Bruce is the sheriff, and he just slammed the doors open and laid the smackdown.

[appoo]

it's amazing how much power he has when it comes to US Soccer though. think Freddy is gonna give out more lip to the media? Hell no, the Godfather just told him not to

[Fulham Fan]

I've been updating an English, Chelsea fan, friend about the Freddy Folies. Here's his response:

"thanks for the updates on Freddy, it was always gonna be interesting to
see how his career went, not so good at the moment it seems
Speaking out to the press will not get him a place at Chelsea, one
player tried it this season and soon found himself out of the team and
not even on the bench"

When they're on the team, yes, Mourinho keeps it tight. But look at the guys who want to be on Chelsea. Look at Essien. He said fantastical things trying to get a transfer to Chelsea and Mourinho was all too pleased to let that happen. If Adu knows that, what does the teenager think?

[MikeLastort2]

OK, now I'm even more convinced that this whole thing was a publicity stunt.

[Nutmeg]

"He won't be [invited] if he keeps running his mouth and tries to punch out his coach."

Simply beautiful.

[MikeLastort2]

"He won't be [invited] if he keeps running his mouth and tries to punch out his coach."

Simply beautiful.

Sigworthy.

:)

[JohnR]

Nice to see that Bruce Arena has joined Tom Flannigan's camp regarding MLS & its pimping of Freddy. Bruce writes better, though.

[RevsRule]

He'd get to England, anyways.

Everytime I watch an English game I come away amazed at how BIG the defenders are. I cringe when I think of little Freddy trying to go through those guys. They'll break him in half if he trys. England would not be a good idea for Freddy unless he gets a lot bigger and a lot stronger.

I think the best move for him would be to go to some MLS team that is in the middle of the pack and that wants to put him on the field. He won't get better sitting on the bench and the league needs him on the field too. They ain't paying all that money so that people can watch him warm up

[MikeLastort2]

Everytime I watch an English game I come away amazed at how BIG the defenders are. I cringe when I think of little Freddy trying to go through those guys. They'll break him in half if he trys. England would not be a good idea for Freddy unless he gets a lot bigger and a lot stronger.

He's about the same size as Robbie Keane. Yeah, Robbie gets broken in half by defenders every week.

I think the best move for him would be to go to some MLS team that is in the middle of the pack and that wants to put him on the field. He won't get better sitting on the bench and the league needs him on the field too. They ain't paying all that money so that people can watch him warm up

Oddly, Freddy doesn't sit on the bench. He's played in nearly every single game in which he's been healthy.

But don't let facts get in your way. You're on a roll.

:rolleyes:

[MikeLastort2]

LaStort. You're arguing with a Revfan again.

Good point. I forgot what an idiot that guy is.

[Fulham Fan]

To reiterate about Essien:

“It is time for me to leave and I will not change my mind. For me, Lyon is over.

“I want to play in England and at Chelsea. In my head I am already at Chelsea. I am dreaming about it.”

http://www.chelseablog.com/2005/07/13/essien-negotiations-continue/

[goussoccer]

The Bruce has spoken. I love how simple and direct Bruce can be in still a diplomatic way. He whacked Freddy's handlers, told Freddy to shut up he'll get his chance, complemented Nowak and then whacked MLS and DC United (and also reiterating his message to Freddy's handlers and Freddy) for their handling of Freddy.

Freddy would have to be thick, even for a 16 year old, to not get that message. The ONLY person who came out well in Bruce's comments was Peter Nowak. Bruce told Freddy three different ways to shut the heck up.

[FirstStar]

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

Gotta love US Soccer. This is better than an episode of Dream Team.

[Rodan]

LaStort. You're arguing with a Revfan again.

Good point. I forgot what an idiot that guy is.
Yup, that's why I check in here...
For the keen-witted banter.