Freddy in the squad for this one, only 18 players listed so he'll definitely make the bench: Guarda-redes: Quim e Butt Defesas: Luís Filipe, Edcarlos, Luisão, Léo, Zoro e Nelson Médios: Katsouranis, Rui Costa, Maxi Pereira, Binya, Nuno Assis e Cristian Rodriguez Avançados: Cardozo, Di Maria, Nuno Gomes e Adu. http://www.maisfutebol.iol.pt/noticia.php?id=860910&div_id=1456
I am gonna have to cough up $10 for the Sentanta Broadband PPV feed, hope he'll get more than 10 min in this game.
It's a good thing all the Adu fan have lowered their expectations, so the poor kid can adjust and ease into the team. Now that he's on the bench, I'm sure he'll come in for those last 10 minutes and score a hat trick. If not, he's a failure and the coach must not like him.
I'd expect a hat trick in the first five minutes he's on the pitch. After that, he needs to work on his defensive assignments.
OK. Only two goals then. I think he'll sit the whole game. Too much hyperventilating going on here. Deep slow breathes into a paper bag everyone.
I think most genuine Adu fans have had lowered expectations. It's the others who come in and cry that Adu hasn't made the bench in the early games because A) Camacho doesn't like him B) Freddy isn't good enough. I still know the posters who say this move was bad because he wasn't getting time on the bench or the posters/journalist who said he should be looking for a loan.
{A 'game-day' story that is not Adu-centered, oddly enough ...} http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/fixturesresults/round=15105/match=301182/report=fc.html Luisão feels six points are a must from Benfica's next two group stage games Despite having a high opinion of FC Shakhtar Donetsk's Brazilian contingent, Luisão says a draw against the Ukrainian side would be "very bad" for SL Benfica. .... Home advantage A 2-1 defeat at European champions AC Milan in their Group D opener has left Benfica with some catching up to do, and with another home game – against Celtic – to come on Matchday 3, Luisão reckons Benfica are entering a crucial phase. "We need to take six points from these games," he said. "We can't accept any draws." .... Joint responsibility The 2005 Portuguese champions have experienced difficulties in the scoring department of late, yet Luisão is adamant that it is the team as a whole, not just the forwards, who need to address the problem. "It's the responsibility of the midfield, even the defence, to score too," he said. "It's down to all the team to help the others out."
Man I might have to stay up all night wed. to see that if they are replaying it on espn deportes... Good luck to freddy, good to see him getting more integrated into the squad, hopefully he'll continue to improve, we don't need to put a lot of pressure on the kid... I mean I think he's in a great position right now imo...
yup im just going to set my alarm for the second half of the game ... ill just tell my wife to check if freddy adu will start ;-}
For a little added rivarly fun, if Freddy and Nery get on we have a US vs. Mexico starlet match-up. FUN. I'd be surprised if Adu doesn't get some late minutes, possibly earlier given his recent performances.
the true Adu fans have been the ones that have been the most level-headed throughout his entire career. It's the haters/skeptics/idealists that have demanded that Adu score a hat trick per every 20 minutes played ... all because they saw him in a Sierra Mist ad with Pele, so it's their God-given right to expect whatever they want from the young lad.
A few observations: 1) This will be Benfica's fifth match in fifteen days. 2) Some of the regulars have played a lot of minutes in this span. 3) Some of the attacking regulars have looked unimpressive in this span. 4) The team has been struggling to score in this period: a single late goal against AC Milan, a 0-0 tie against Braga, getting the late goal against Amadora on a questionable penalty call, a 0-0 tie against Sporting. 5) Freddy has provided an offensive spark coming into the last two games off the bench. I will let the rest of you draw any inferences you wish.
My prediction... Freddy Adu plays 15 minutes as a sub. Assists on the game winning goal to Nuno Gomes. 2-1 Next game for Benfica he starts and scores once while setting up Rui Costa as well. win 2-0. Goes on to be a consistent starter the rest of the year. 12 goals and 8 assists.
Is the Espndeportes 11 pm tuesday start time right? I wonder why they would play at such a time? (Im aware of the time difference between the west coast and portugal)