The Freddy Adu catchall thread

HartwickFan · Jan 29, 2018

Thank you, @Rahbiefowlah, for this awesome write-up!

Rahbiefowlah said: ↑

I went to see the Las Vegas Lights scrimmage Ozzy’s Laguna, a UPSL team from Monterey Park, CA (East LA) at UNLV.

Las Vegas won 4-2.

They played 4 separate 25-minute quarters, and Freddy played the last 25. He was not involved in the goals.

He is fat.

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It was sad and exciting, little bit of tension in the air, couple hundred people there. He was fully involved in the team, complementing his back-line on a successful offside trap yelling at them “Perfect, perfect,” organizing positioning for the counter as the point man at midfield before a defensive corner, yelling for his left back to get back and mark on a free kick.

He was genuinely really involved in learning with his teammates within what coach Chelís (of Chivas USA infamy but also a good coach in his own right, coached Herc at Puebla) is building. He didn’t look like a guy desperately trying out, he looked like a guy building with teammates. It’s been an open tryout from the start for all these guys on the Lights and they look like they’re working within a tactical structure already.

He would go back and talk with a teammate after a good connection and build chemistry. A lot of the intangible stuff seemed there just below the surface, stuff that he seemed to have plenty of very early in his career as a leader but lost somewhere along the way.

The problem is that he is sooooo immobile. He is top heavy and too heavy and can’t run 5 yards. I don’t know if Chelís will be patient with him or not in this regard. There was twice where the Lights had a good break down the wing and as they crossed it I looked for Freddy and he was still at midfield. I had a realization like, Oh sh!t, he really can’t move at all. He’s Carlos Valderrama.

His touch is still golden, boy. He put his foot on the ball a couple times and set the tempo. Was actually effective once or twice from deep in midfield. But a lot of the time they couldn’t get the ball to him. His left central defender couldn’t bring himself to try to hit a pass through the lines to Freddy. Once Freddy muttered “Jeeez,” just audibly. And honestly it looked like he was open enough. He wanted the ball, it was good to see. I think if he had 60-70 minutes he could have really come into the game. If he didn’t roll over and die from exhaustion first.

He had one chance where he could have scored on the end of a cross with his right foot. He did poorly with it but it might have been behind him. He walked up and tried to take a penalty when it was called but didn’t end up with the ball. Once his teammate should have found him on a break but the pass drove him wide. He got fouled a couple times. Lost the ball twice. But he really fought to be the main midfielder in the game, to have the ball and use it. He was not passive like last year with Portland preseason.

God he looked pudgy. Like that super-talented old Latino dude at the indoor pickup game whose legs point outward as he stands because his thighs are so big and he has a belly but you just can’t get the ball off him and he kicks your ass in a tiny space.

I swear he kinda has his confidence back though, just barely. Mentally he seems there. It was surreal watching him in my city and seeing him actually believing in himself. He’s 28 and should be getting ready to partner with Pulisic as we watch the US in Russia but we’re not and he’s not. Instead he’s trying out for a USL team down my street.

It was a fun night. Weirdly-scenic crappy little field UNLV has. He’s the second Lights player from left here, Mandalay Bay is in the background.

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I remember always during the Bahia days, Rizespor, Serbia, Finland, Tampa. He never had a preseason. I hope Chelís lets him see this through but in my heart and head I doubt he will. I really hope I’m wrong.

Either way this team looks fun. Gerardo Lugo is a nice player. He had a brace. They kinda lack a striker (that kid Muniz who started at Monarcas looked awful, really weak) but have good pieces in midfield and Joel Huiqui looks like a capable defender. I’m excited for USL games. Takes me back to going to APSL games as a kid.
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Rahbiefowlah · Jan 29, 2018

HartwickFan said: ↑

Thank you, @Rahbiefowlah, for this awesome write-up!
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No problem! It was a lot more fun than watching the game last night, I gotta say.

Suyuntuy · Jan 30, 2018

In all rec leagues there's always a guy who looks like Freddy does now, and he's invariably called el Gordo.

ttrevett · Jan 31, 2018

Suyuntuy said: ↑

In all rec leagues there's always a guy who looks like Freddy does now, and he's invariably called el Gordo.
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Or el Flaco.

Rahbiefowlah · Jan 31, 2018

The Lights are tweeting out their 11 new signings right now, one by one every 6 minutes and it’s killing me and I can’t work.

Suyuntuy · Jan 31, 2018

I think they're done now. Of course, no Freddy.

Rahbiefowlah · Jan 31, 2018

Yeah. Sigh.

mikef620 · Jan 31, 2018

Wow. Cut from the Vegas tryouts. It’s over.

Suyuntuy · Jan 31, 2018

Rahbiefowlah · Jan 31, 2018

To be clear, I'm told Freddy is still with the team on trial. There just hasn't been a decision on whether to sign him yet. https://t.co/X9SAhQgrvM
— Ben Gotz (@BenSGotz) February 1, 2018

ChrisSSBB · Jan 31, 2018

There must be an 0-30 co-rec team in DC area that is willing to pay Freddy's registration fee and drinks after matches. For the love of the game!

Suyuntuy · Jan 31, 2018

That's cruel dang it. Tell the man "no" so he can go out there look for a job!

glennaldo_sf · Jan 31, 2018

Surely there's a need for a good vacuum cleaning specialiast in Vegas

taylor · Jan 31, 2018

Suyuntuy said: ↑

I think they're done now. Of course, no Freddy.
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Forget Putin boys. We have a new enemy of the state: The las Vegas lights. Klinnsmann must be behind this as well.

ChrisSSBB · Jan 31, 2018

Rahbiefowlah said: ↑

To be clear, I'm told Freddy is still with the team on trial. There just hasn't been a decision on whether to sign him yet. https://t.co/X9SAhQgrvM
— Ben Gotz (@BenSGotz) February 1, 2018

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Nobody wants the dream to end.

taylor · Jan 31, 2018

Who is Ben gets? Robbie if it is you I would laugh my ass off for giving the fan boys (false) hope.

taylor · Jan 31, 2018

Just so I know which team to narrowly hate less than Mexico; it is a third division team?

taylor · Jan 31, 2018

Well only Nixon could go to China. Freddy as player coach that wins us open cup next year with a wynaldas fourth division team....

DisgustinJustin · Jan 31, 2018

Preparing to offer Freddy a spot as a reserve on my 9th tier Charleston Soccer League Division 3 club. Waiving the $49 team fee and ref fees. Have a once-used shirt for him - no charge. Needs matching shorts and socks though. Shirts are Adidas. Already cleared this with Nike.

ChrisSSBB · Jan 31, 2018

DisgustinJustin said: ↑

Preparing to offer Freddy a spot as a reserve on my 9th tier Charleston Soccer League Division 3 club. Waiving the $49 team fee and ref fees. Have a once-used shirt for him - no charge. Needs matching shorts and socks though. Shirts are Adidas. Already cleared this with Nike.
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Just have to worry about the rest of the team wondering who the new guy is that won't run or defend, won't sub out, and wants to take every free kick within 35 yds of goal.

MarioKempes · Jan 31, 2018

MarioKempes · Feb 1, 2018

How the feck does he show up overweight?

Rahbiefowlah · Feb 1, 2018

taylor said: ↑

Who is Ben gets? Robbie if it is you I would laugh my ass off for giving the fan boys (false) hope.
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Nah he’s like a scrub intern for the town paper.

Rahbiefowlah · Feb 1, 2018

MarioKempes said: ↑

How the feck does he show up overweight?
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I mean....beer?

ebbro · Feb 1, 2018

ChrisSSBB said: ↑

Just have to worry about the rest of the team wondering who the new guy is that won't run or defend, won't sub out, and wants to take every free kick within 35 yds of goal.
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But can you provide the chicks for the pics?