Matrim55
12 Jul 2007, 04:29 PM
Sacre bleu, Freddy Adu!
That's what Sam's Army were chanting in Montreal last week, and though Freddy didn't do much last night against Uruguay I don't think it changes the fact that we're nearing the end of Freddy's MLS tenure. Guys who can hit perfect throughballs with regularity and have the ability to skin a defender on the dribble are prized the world over, and Adu has shown in the U-20s that he possesses both those skills.
The Sun (lol) says Celtic have taken notice, and while I think most would agree that Scotland's probably not the best place for him, we're all just as likely to agree that Salt Lake isn't, either. Plus there's the fact that if Celtic are watching you can bet that other teams around Europe are as well. Personally I'm hoping he ends up in Holland, where he'll be taught to make quicker decisions and touches while circulating the ball through the attacking zone. Learning to do that will unbalance defenders and allow him more room on the dribble for when those opportunities present themselves.
Either way, good luck to him. Freddy's tenure in the league was an oftentimes fun, oftentimes painful experiment both from a soccer and marketing perspective, and 3 1/2 years later I think both he and MLS have benefited.
___________________________________
As one era appears to be closing, another one begins tomorrow with the official introduction of Becks to the US media and fans. To mark the occasion the LA Galaxy, one of MLS's two most recognizable clubs, have rebranded as the LA Real Madrid Fusion. Sure the new unis are sharp...
http://www.mlsgear.com/imgs/products/369_1010243.jpg
...but so were the old ones. Ah well.
As for Becks himself, I have no doubt that he'll represent the league well even if he is a brainless tart who looks like a Pop Warner football player in the new Adidas commercial.
____________________________________
Today's Game
Chicago v. Houston: The Fire are being sold (http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/), unfortunately not to Oprah Winfrey. That would have been awesome. The news from Luis Arroyave continues a tumoltuous week of upheaval that reaches its apex tonight with the debut of Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio as head coach. Chicago's a team in flux, Houston are top of the table and undefeated in 8 games... should be a rout. But for no good reason at all I say 1-0 Fire.
Saturday's Games
DC v. FCD: I keep predicting FCD's annual midseason swoon, and they keep showing more fight than I thought they had and proving me wrong. DC on the other hand have been in a dry spell after rolling through May and most of June, but I don't see it continuing this week. DC rolls, 3-1.
RBNY v. Revs: Finally had a half-decent effort from Red Bull last week, but let's face it: Beating Colorado, even on the road, is no great accomplishment. Luckily the Revs come in struggling as well; neither of these teams are as good as they were two months ago, as injuries, roster changes and national team committments have wreacked havoc with their respective cohesiveness. I'd love to pick Metro here, but over the past half-dozen years the Revs have always seemed to find a way to kick us square in the crotch right when we need it least. 2-1 New England.
KC v. RSL: KC finally get Eddie Johnson back fulltime, while RSL disgraced a country by giving TFC their first win on American soil, and on Independence Day to boot. Then they lost, feebly, 2-0 to the Crew. 3-0 Wiz.
CD Carson v. Crew: Game of the week from where I sit. Columbus have been playing some of the best ball in the league for the past month, and Chivas are a fun team to watch when they're at home. Plus they finally return Kljestan and Booooooornstein to the lineup for a little more attacking verve. 3-2 Columbus.
Sunday's Game
Houston v. TFC: No way Toronto gets even a point at Houston. Just not going to happen. 2-0 Dynamo.
Last week's record: 7-5!!!
Season to date: 37-47
That's what Sam's Army were chanting in Montreal last week, and though Freddy didn't do much last night against Uruguay I don't think it changes the fact that we're nearing the end of Freddy's MLS tenure. Guys who can hit perfect throughballs with regularity and have the ability to skin a defender on the dribble are prized the world over, and Adu has shown in the U-20s that he possesses both those skills.
The Sun (lol) says Celtic have taken notice, and while I think most would agree that Scotland's probably not the best place for him, we're all just as likely to agree that Salt Lake isn't, either. Plus there's the fact that if Celtic are watching you can bet that other teams around Europe are as well. Personally I'm hoping he ends up in Holland, where he'll be taught to make quicker decisions and touches while circulating the ball through the attacking zone. Learning to do that will unbalance defenders and allow him more room on the dribble for when those opportunities present themselves.
Either way, good luck to him. Freddy's tenure in the league was an oftentimes fun, oftentimes painful experiment both from a soccer and marketing perspective, and 3 1/2 years later I think both he and MLS have benefited.
___________________________________
As one era appears to be closing, another one begins tomorrow with the official introduction of Becks to the US media and fans. To mark the occasion the LA Galaxy, one of MLS's two most recognizable clubs, have rebranded as the LA Real Madrid Fusion. Sure the new unis are sharp...
http://www.mlsgear.com/imgs/products/369_1010243.jpg
...but so were the old ones. Ah well.
As for Becks himself, I have no doubt that he'll represent the league well even if he is a brainless tart who looks like a Pop Warner football player in the new Adidas commercial.
____________________________________
Today's Game
Chicago v. Houston: The Fire are being sold (http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/soccer_redcard/), unfortunately not to Oprah Winfrey. That would have been awesome. The news from Luis Arroyave continues a tumoltuous week of upheaval that reaches its apex tonight with the debut of Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio as head coach. Chicago's a team in flux, Houston are top of the table and undefeated in 8 games... should be a rout. But for no good reason at all I say 1-0 Fire.
Saturday's Games
DC v. FCD: I keep predicting FCD's annual midseason swoon, and they keep showing more fight than I thought they had and proving me wrong. DC on the other hand have been in a dry spell after rolling through May and most of June, but I don't see it continuing this week. DC rolls, 3-1.
RBNY v. Revs: Finally had a half-decent effort from Red Bull last week, but let's face it: Beating Colorado, even on the road, is no great accomplishment. Luckily the Revs come in struggling as well; neither of these teams are as good as they were two months ago, as injuries, roster changes and national team committments have wreacked havoc with their respective cohesiveness. I'd love to pick Metro here, but over the past half-dozen years the Revs have always seemed to find a way to kick us square in the crotch right when we need it least. 2-1 New England.
KC v. RSL: KC finally get Eddie Johnson back fulltime, while RSL disgraced a country by giving TFC their first win on American soil, and on Independence Day to boot. Then they lost, feebly, 2-0 to the Crew. 3-0 Wiz.
CD Carson v. Crew: Game of the week from where I sit. Columbus have been playing some of the best ball in the league for the past month, and Chivas are a fun team to watch when they're at home. Plus they finally return Kljestan and Booooooornstein to the lineup for a little more attacking verve. 3-2 Columbus.
Sunday's Game
Houston v. TFC: No way Toronto gets even a point at Houston. Just not going to happen. 2-0 Dynamo.
Last week's record: 7-5!!!
Season to date: 37-47