is this Adu's breakout?

[Salsa Supremo]

As a bostonian i will always root for the revolution (until I start my own team). I see them most often, but I was wondering if those amicable supporters of DC United believed that they were witnessing freddy adu;s break out year? The evidence sugguests that we are based on his contributions i ask you all becuase you probably get to watch him closer than anybody beside the training staff. So whats the analysis?

[DeKo21DCU]

My kitties better be alive when I get home from work!:mad:;)

[BigKris]

I don't know what it means to call something a "breakout year" - I suppose it means that someone is suddenly, dramatically better than they were the year before, so for instance '04 could be called Esky's breakout year for example.
By that standard, no I don't think Adu is having a breakout year. He has been noticeably better each year than he was the year before, but I don't see it as sudden or outside of the projected trend; he just keeps getting better at a steady rate.

[ursula]

My kittens are safe so here's my answer:

From following Fred these years he is definitely better this year. That said I'm not sure that I would say, "WOW!!! Freddy's BREAKING OUT!!!! THIS YEAR!!!!"

To me he's shown steady, sure improvement these three years in all aspects of his game. But there's been no seemingly quantum leap. He hasn't suddenly become the best player on the team or MLS or in the USA. If you compare him to fellow yank and former DCU Bobby Convey then you have to say that last year Convey had a breakout year, a year when everything came together for him, while, again, Freddy's growth has been less dramatic. It might be better to compare Fred's growth to Clint Dempsey's growth. You can watch each player accumulating the tools needed to become dominant and you can see where he needs to still grow.

That's not to say that Freddy isn't improving at DCU as so many oddball posters have claimed in the past. He's a lot better than last year which was a lot better than the year before. He's become a vital part of the team, able to play three positions well, and I see no reason why he can't eventually become the best american player ever within a couple more years.

[ursula]

I don't know what it means to call something a "breakout year" - I suppose it means that someone is suddenly, dramatically better than they were the year before, so for instance '04 could be called Esky's breakout year for example.
By that standard, no I don't think Adu is having a breakout year. He has been noticeably better each year than he was the year before, but I don't see it as sudden or outside of the projected trend; he just keeps getting better at a steady rate.

Using Esky is a good example there. I'll add that I think non-DCU fans and fans of the Nats primarily who want him to be the best thing since sliced bread are more inclinded to think he's had this quantum leap in ability but those of us who are fans of the team are less likely to say so.

[Pints]

Fred 2006

Fred 2005

Fred 2004


It's a gradual increase in ability. I woudln't call it a breakout year.
The only thing I can say is better by a large nmargin woudl be his ability or desire to stay on his feet and keep possesion.

[The Lieutenant]

What time did this thread start? Because I hit a cat on the way to work this morning.

Coincidence? I think not.

[joehill]

(assuming you started this thread after the celtic game last night...)

freddy always raises his game to the level of competition or for big games. he looked great last night, also against chelsea last year i thought, and was the most exciting player on the field in the charity zidane/ronaldo match.

this year he's only a few crossbars, posts, and near misses from a breakout season.

[BBBulldog]

it's his break out year to STFU and play for the shirt :D

I don't think his technical ability improvement through matches was ever in question, it's quite obvious.

[Riz]

http://www.downtowntomatoes.com/archives/070405002-kitties.jpg

Poor little kitties. :(

Give me a steady progression over a flashy "breakout" year/month/day anytime.

[michael greene]

Could somebody steer me to the "Is This Andy Metcalf's Breakout?" thread, please?

[COMEONYOUREDS!]

Freddy looked great last night. As the others noted, though, let's just appreciate his steady progression.

[scarshins]

When the TEAM plays like last night, the opportunities for Adu to make nice plays will increase. Very good job by him by the way, but does it mean that much more than when he plays well defensively to help preserve a 1-0 win on the road? He needs to keep improving as many aspects as he can.

Adu and Quaranta switched forward/right mid positions not too long before Adu scored.

[alocksley]

The kid has been terrific this year. Especially his passing touch. I never thought I would say this about a player who came in with such absurd hype, but it is possible that he is actually underrated this year.

In any event, he is GONE after this season, so enjoy him while you can...

[Q*bert Jones III]

The kid has been terrific this year. Especially his passing touch. I never thought I would say this about a player who came in with such absurd hype, but it is possible that he is actually underrated this year.

In any event, he is GONE after this season, so enjoy him while you can...

I've felt for a while that Adu doesn't get enough respect from DCU fans. Now that he's playing defense too, the tide's starting to turn. He's been fantastic this year.

[asitis]

I'm just wondering when a cat ceases to be a kitten, as I'm assuming it's only kittens that are in danger. Is there a cat mitzvah? Is there an age where they can buy catnip on their own? I'm concerned because we have two older cats.

As to young Fred, I agree that his progress as a player has been steady. I think the final piece to his devlopment will be physical maturity. It would be great if he had a growth spurt and shot up 3 or 4 inches. Failing that, I believe that just the process of growing up, getting stronger as well as bigger, is the final component of his development. And so far, that growth has been gradual.

asitis
4/10...5/11

[pokemoncards]

I'm just wondering when a cat ceases to be a kitten, as I'm assuming it's only kittens that are in danger. Is there a cat mitzvah?

That'd be awesome, I'm guessing there'd be sushi.

[michael greene]

I'm just wondering when a cat ceases to be a kitten

Only a bone scan can tell.

[sch2383]

In any event, he is GONE after this season, so enjoy him while you can...

He is gone once he turns 18, which would be mid-season next season. Then you gotta wait for the transfer window to open.

I think Freddy's play has improved, but we here notice a steady progression while those who don't follow United day in and day out will see a jump. I think he certainly is playing within the system, has accepted his role and is doing what he can to help the cause.

[BigKris]

Is there any chance that whoever buys Freddy next year would turn around and loan him back to MLS/DC through the end of next season? I'd really like to have him around for next year's run deep into the Copa Sudamericana.