As usual, I'll believe it when Steven Goff reports it. Not that I don't believe these reports but I'm skeptical when a San Francisco reporter says something before a local reporter.
OK I take that back, it's on soccernet.com as well. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/headlinenews?id=295214&cc=5901 Nothing yet on the Post's site, but with three different sources and quotes straight from Nowak, I believe it.
I would put this under the "no sh!t sherlock" category. Everybody and their mother knows Freddy will play in the opener. The only question is how much will he play in the opener?
I know you've changed your mind but that piece was actually written by Joseph White, who's the main DC writer for the Associated Press. The Post's website has the same story up now.
Yes, of course, Freddy will play in the opener. That was never an issue. (He didn't sign with MLS to sit on the bench for 90 minutes.) What remains to be seen is whether he will start.
Well, I'll quote Freddy here when I say "If you're good enough, you're old enough." Having said that......a no brainer....he's gonna start, guys. The only concern I have is when defenders begin to realize they're being victimized weekly...the dreaded cynical fouls will begin. Man, wouldn't it be awesome if Freddy ends up being a solution for the MNT at RM? Ooops....I got lost in my fantasy world there.......
Nowak on whether he is obligated to play Freddy Adu: “I don’t know that it’s an obligation. I told all of the players and I’ll repeat myself. I have 24 Freddy Adus. Everyone wants to play on this team because we’re playing pretty good soccer at the moment. It’s a very competitive roster and everyone wants to play the home opener. I’m sure Freddy is going to play in this game. We have 10 days before the home opener and I have not made my decision yet. He’s on the way to starting the game but we’ll see what happens next week.” From Mlsnet transcript of todays teleconference http://www.mlsnet.com/content/04/mls0325teleconf.html
Landon on Freddy "I’ve spoken to Freddy a couple of times but never at length. Fortunately for him he’s a lot farther along, two or three years younger than I was when I came into the League. He‘s a lot further along at 14 than I was at 18 from a mental and emotional standpoint. I think he’ll be okay." I think Landon wanted to say this "I’ve spoken to Freddy a couple of times but never at length. Fortunately for him he’s a lot farther along, two or three years younger than I was when I came into the League. He‘s a lot further along at 14 than I am at 22 from a mental and emotional standpoint. I think he’ll be okay."
I am looking forward to opening day, and seeing Freddy start the game, and go atleast 45 minutes. I think he can make a difference by mid-year.
I would rather he start on the bench and soak it all in and watch the paly for the first half, then come out to start the second half. For whichever forward has been stinkin' the place up.
Please excuse my stupid question, but is Freddy playing forward for DC in the preseason, or is he playing in the midfield? I thought I read that he had played in the midfield some, but maybe that was just with the U-20's. Thanks, Scumby
Not sure about in Wilmington, but against Charleston he played forward. He hasn't played any other "real" preseason games. Not sure what he's been doing in practice. Both he and the coach say he can do either one depending on the need at the time.
My thoughts exactly. Additionally, the defenders for SJ will be somewhat fatigued in the second half, which will only amplify Freddy's speed and sharpness advantage.
So the decision about whether he'll play is up to Nowak??? Yeah right. The team has been selling a "Freddy four pack" of tickets which includes the opener. Of course he will play. Big Brother MLS Marketing became a reality a few years ago folks, as long as the league is losing money the priorities are fairly clear...but I'll take it, it beats the APSL.
Yeah, I'd be kind of surprised if he started, but putting him around the 60th or 70th minute will be very fun to watch