View Full Version : Should Freddy Adu be in the WC '06 squad?
rolfefan1717
02 Dec 2005, 05:16 PM
I had this discussion last night with my friends after playing some soccer. They believe that Freddy Adu will be in the WC '06 squad even if he doesn't actually outplay some of the current players that are ahead of him in the player pool. I realize this thread is a little premature but i believe still relevant. One of my friends cited the fact that Ronaldo went to the World Cup in '94 and didn't play a single minute. There belief was that Brazil realized he was the future and took him along to expose him to the atmosphere and pressure. (Personally, i feel ronaldo was probably better than adu at 17 but that is irrelevant.) Basically, there argument was that by taking Adu he would gain vital experience even if he doesn't play.
I disagreed with this argument on the basis that I believe Freddy Adu is not currently one of the best 23 soccer players in the United States. His touch and flair on the ball is class but his movement off the ball and defending are all below-par. I believe that a World Cup squad should have two players at each position and they should be interchangable. What position in the U.S. squad is Freddy the second best at? Clearly not playmaker, clearly not forward, and clearly not outside left? maybe freddy will play his way into the squad but i doubt it.
Also, non-sporting reasons may come into play. Nike has huge financial pull, and they may make a huge push to see Adu on the World Cup squad whether he's deserving or not. I feel as though politics should have nothing to do with naming the squad but in reality that may be somewhat naive. What do you guys think?
socks
02 Dec 2005, 05:18 PM
he should be on the wc06 squad if he is good enough. trust bruce. obey bruce.
LeeS
02 Dec 2005, 05:25 PM
Brazil has the skill & depth to have players named to their squad that aren't among their top 23 players.
The USA needs to take its top 23 most useful players. (Notice I didn't say "23 best players")
If Adu is among the 23 most useful players, take him, otherwise don't.
Lee
We have a shortage of players who can take on a defender and create HAVOCK. This makes it likely that one of Adu, Mapp, and Rolfe will make the squad.
Luc11
02 Dec 2005, 05:33 PM
I believe in the months to come were going to see serious growth both physically and mentally in freddys game he's just at that age. I think hes going to benefit from have good players around him at camp and I think he will prove himself there. I always here the argument that freddy dosent have good movement or dosent make nessesary runs. I think he makes good runs, he just hasn't had the players around him to get him the ball, especially in the U-20's. I dont know if we will see him on the field for the WC 2006 but I have a strange feeling he's going to claim one of the spots.
Luc11
02 Dec 2005, 05:37 PM
We have a shortage of players who can take on a defender and create HAVOCK. This makes it likely that one of Adu, Mapp, and Rolfe will make the squad.
I 100% agree with this
dmike
02 Dec 2005, 05:52 PM
didnt Bruce already say those last spots were gonna get ZERO playing time so he was gonna pick the right guys that would benefit the team outside the game.
Hence chemistry or future of the squad.
JRstriker12
02 Dec 2005, 05:53 PM
I don't think Bruce will let Nike marketing influence his decsions, he's here to win, not advance thier marketing goals.
Should he go as an experience builder? No, we can't sacrafice a slot for exeprience. Besides, I think that if Adu doesn't make the cut this year, he'll be better off going home hungry and working on his game to make 2010 rather and just getting a free trip with the team and not play. Besides, you know he has a thing about lack of playing time. ;)
I'm sure USSF may have a few free tickets if they really want to drag him along.
Biggest thing for Adu and anyone who make the squad. You gotta earn it. No free rides.
JRstriker12
02 Dec 2005, 05:56 PM
didnt Bruce already say those last spots were gonna get ZERO playing time so he was gonna pick the right guys that would benefit the team outside the game.
Hence chemistry or future of the squad.
When did he say that?
I'm sure that last spots aren't guarranteed playing time, but with injuries, cards, etc, Bruce will fully expect these guys to be ready to play and perform when called upon.
Sean...
02 Dec 2005, 06:13 PM
I think he might just miss out this time, we'll end up giong with Rolfe instead. But in 2010 he'll be there without one doubt.
Arisrules
02 Dec 2005, 06:34 PM
Hell no. He doesn't know how to manage a game (as a CAM), why on earth would we put him on the squad? Talent? He oozes talent. But his understanding of the game, positionally, and tactically is too weak right now to permit him on the squad.
Also, he is one dimensional. His best position is far and away in the center. So he has that going against him also. He isn't a forward, and he can't play the wing at all.
JoeSoccerFan
02 Dec 2005, 06:48 PM
Bruce and I defer from making this decision until later in 2006.
I'll get back to you when I tell Bruce what to do. ;)
MLSNHTOWN
02 Dec 2005, 06:52 PM
All hating aside.....the premise of this thread is simple, will Arena call in Adu as sort of a Ronadinho esque sit on the bench and watch and learn kind of role, no playing.
The answer to that is most obviously NO. Arena has given 0 indication that he is willing to waste a spot even though that spot may/may not get minutes. This isn't the #3 GK, we may need someone who can actually play.
With regards to the general question as to whether Adu should make the squad, the answer is very simple. He will be a part of the January camp. In the January camp and the following friendlies he will be provided the opportunity to show that he belongs and/or make his case. If he takes those chances and makes the most of them, he will make the squad. If he doesn't, he won't. The ball in his court.
IMHO, he will be on the bubble with regards to making it. If Rolfe doesn't play great, if wolff falls down the ladder, if twellman returns to missing open sitters.....then he might make it. But if Twellman locks down the open forward spot, EJ returns to health....etc...it will be very difficult for Adu to make it. I think he will improve dramatically over the next six months with his exposure to the USMNT and his natural growth. So I think he might actually make it...but it is a fairly long shot.
Scoobs
02 Dec 2005, 07:56 PM
Sure if he's good enough.
aj2lagop
02 Dec 2005, 09:14 PM
No he shouldn't. He is not good enough. Inconsistant pro-career, with disciplinary problems. Needs more maturity.
The Big Ticket
02 Dec 2005, 09:24 PM
I doubt Adu will be included on the roster if Bruce has no intention of playing him. That's just not very Arena-like.
shinzui
03 Dec 2005, 09:58 PM
I think he will make it. Because he will do something amazing in one of the friendlies that makes Arena just have to have him even without a clear path to playing time just on the off chance that we are trailing Germany 1-0 in like the 89th minute of a WC semifinal and absolutely have to have a goal in a situation where defensive play isn't really a high priority. I wouldn't mind having Adu on the bench if just such a situation comes about. But, he'll have to show a proper attititude in the camps and friendlies.
Onionsack
03 Dec 2005, 10:14 PM
Brazil has the skill & depth to have players named to their squad that aren't among their top 23 players.
The USA needs to take its top 23 most useful players. (Notice I didn't say "23 best players")
If Adu is among the 23 most useful players, take him, otherwise don't.
Lee
Its funny but i think the reason the US is as good as it is without the service of world class superstar level players is that the don't take the 23 best , instead they take 23 players as a team. The know the importance of role-players in the team concept.
As for Adu, he has a very important camp in January and i am sure he knows how big it is and his agents probably remind him every day. If he can show something in these camps and Bruce feels his inclusion will fill one of these roles then i am all for it.
robchap628
03 Dec 2005, 10:21 PM
lets see how he does in this upcoming camp, if he shows he's got what it takes then Bruce will bring him, if he doesn't he wont go, but keep in mind that he's at such a young age that he's going to keep on developing quickly, he's got a lot of upside.
CL_2004
03 Dec 2005, 10:30 PM
I don't think Bruce will let Nike marketing influence his decsions, he's here to win, not advance thier marketing goals.
I think your wrong. When NIKE speaks Bruce Arena listens. :D
No he shouldn't. He is not good enough. Inconsistant pro-career, with disciplinary problems. Needs more maturity.
Hell no. He doesn't know how to manage a game (as a CAM), why on earth would we put him on the squad? Talent? He oozes talent. But his understanding of the game, positionally, and tactically is too weak right now to permit him on the squad.
Also, he is one dimensional. His best position is far and away in the center. So he has that going against him also. He isn't a forward, and he can't play the wing at all.
I think he might just miss out this time, we'll end up giong with Rolfe instead. But in 2010 he'll be there without one doubt.
I agree with these comments above.