Saw him play in Dallas Cup final. He is the real deal. I make the headline statement based on the following: I saw Landon scrimmage with Olympic team vs. local Miami club in summer 2000. At that time, Landon stood out (separated from pack talent-wise), and it confirmed for me he would be a stud (best ever US player I had seen, that age, at that point). Of course, never thought Landon would be perform so well in the WC 2002, and be such an impact player at that level (so soon), but woulda thought he'd make bench (at least). And he did, and more... Freddy, based on tonight's competition, is on the relative same point as Landon was (when I saw him in 2000). And Freddy actually has an extra year here (than Landon had)- although I think given Freddy likely won't be a pro league until 2004, Freddy's next 3 years in progress will likely equal Landon's 2 (from 2000-2002). This argument is contingent, of course, on Bruce giving Freddy chances in 2005/2006, Freddy playing against pros starting in 2004, and Freddy not getting injured along way. However, if this occurs, I could definitely see Freddy being as better than Jeff. C by 2005/2006 ..I think Freddy would be very effective as a late game sub (final 30 minutes) in the WC.....his speed/moves would be lethal late in a game against tired legs, and could mean a big difference in a match. I do think it would be unfair to start Freddy at such a young age- even though I think hardly any players on US team will be better than Freddy by 2006....the problem is, other teams would look to kill him early in a match (at WC level)....coming on later, he would be somewhat protected, since he would be fresher, and be able to avoid dangerous challenges better...
no argument here. personally i havent seen him play, but you can bet he'll get an opportunity to prove he can play at that level. whether or not he's up to it is a different story. he'll definately be pro next year, and i'd be shocked if he wasnt in europe by the time 06 rolls around
A lot of knowledgeable soccer people who have seen Adu play agree with this prediction. However, keep in mind that this particular poster thinks Joe Max Moore is as good as Brian McBride -- whichever way that cuts for you.
Next Steps I've wondered that if Freddy performs well for us and to the rest of the world in August why not give him the opportunity to make the next step and see if he can perform at the U-20 level in the UAE next November. His inclusion would provide some distribution depth in midfield that only Convey can provide on this team right now. Mapp, Clark, and Barclay are good but how good. Here's a chance to see. Then if he performs well in this tourney, give him a shot at the U-23's and so on. This way we get a real barometer of how he compares without throwing him straight into a situation he may not be prepared for. I'd also make the same statement for Spector but I think it would be better off for us to let him develop at Man U? Does this make sense?
We have to qualify first and it's not likely that Freddie will be ready to help us do that because of his age. So if that is the case, will it make sense to put him on the roster for the finals?
That's what I say. Too many people treat WC '06 like the USA got an automatic bid or something. It's possible Adu will NEVER play in a World Cup, same with the rest of talented teens we have...
Geez Karl, you really are a jackass... Regardless of the irrelevance of bringing up the Joe Max/McBride, AT LEAST get my position correct. My main argument last spring was that McBride would likely not have a greater impact then JMM during his time in England, and that he would be fortunate to equal JMM's start at Everton (which McBride DID NOT do). Of course, I was comparing JMM from 3-4 years ago, vs. McBride today. JMM is older than McBride today, so it is not an entirely fair comparison (and misstates my position) to claim JMM is now better. Also, JMM obviously plays on a weaker squad (than McBride) now, so it is difficult to compare then 1v1 now....put JMM on the Crew, and McBride on NE, it is questionable who would produce more... Regardless, you are being a jerk to fan the flames of old arguments (and ESPECIALLY misstating your "opponents'" positions.. I do agree with the poster who suggests Freddy should be on U-20 squad for November, although coach may nix due to team chemistry thing. I do think it would be an awful upset for US not to qualify for WC at this point- Really inexcusable given the competition and extra opportunity (via new FIFA decision)
While I am proud to be confused with "Karl", I am not so you ought to appologize to that person. Second, the point is very relevant. You are expressing an opinion based on your judgment of Adu's play. Therefore, for those of us who have not seen Adu play, your ability to judge players is relevant. A baseline measurement of this ability is your views on the relative abilities of McBride and Joe Max Moore. Third, I never said that you said JMM is now better than McBride. I left open the time element as I think that the judgment that JMM was ever as good as McBride is a poor one -- and is relevant to my assessment of the reliability of your current judgment of Adu. Fourth, expressing disagreement about opinions regarding player ability is one of the central purposes of this forum, so stop the personal attacks just because my opinion is that your track record assessing players is not so good.
My apologies to Karl...Martin you are the jackass.. Who the hell are you to act as judge and jury about anyone's ability to analyze talent? And as far as McBride/Moore goes, it is statistical fact what both accomplished regarding goals/assists/minutes played for both in England, so there is virtually no argument on the plane on which I am wrong. On a larger scale, I have always argued that both McBride and Moore are good players (but very different i style, obviously), and arguing differently doesn't make sense. But you seem to want to make such an argument (that there is some big talent difference between the 2). You are a buffoon if you think McBride has been a much better player (in the totality of his career) than JMM...
jri - cut out the personal attacks please. Also, the McBride Moore discussion should be continued elsewhere. If this thread doesn't get on topic quick, it will be closed. (Martin - for the record, I never said Hejduk would definitely suck this year in MLS (just trying to head off future questions about my judgement).)
Re: Next Steps I think a few of the U-17s who don't move on to MLS or college after the U-17 WC should get a look with the U-20s in November. Freddy, and maybe a couple of the other younger guys.
Hey, DMB only played one meaningless game at the end of qualifying last cycle and Mastroeni didn't play in any. Both still made the roster for WC 2002. If Adu is ready by the time the WC begins he'll be on the roster regardless of whether or not he played in any WCQers in my opinion.
Re: Re: Barring injury, Freddy WILL be on WC 2006 team Up until maybe a year ago, Joe-Max and McBride would have been pretty comparable, I think. Certainly close enough to make the comparison. But JMM fell off and McBride continues to get better. So today maybe not.
in jri's defense that martin guy is either mentally handicapped or just trolling. because he continues to mistate jri's position concerning McBride/JMM. that being said Mr. Adu has a lot of proving himself to do before he even makes the bench of a WC team.
dmb was in very fine form in several games leading up to the wc, to say nothing of his mls experience. understand your point, but bruce is not going to call in freddy unless he has PROVEN ability at the sr. international level- that means u-20/u-23 (olympics anyone?), and at the very least, a successful scoring season in mls.
Sorry Dark Knight but now that I have been called mentally handicapped by the coffee guy, I need to be clear on this (and the only possible point of this thread is that JRI thinks Adu is good, so my view that that doesn't mean much is directly on point) OK, call me a buffoon, but I think that McBride has been a MUCH BETTER player than JMM for the TOTALITY of his career [Sanka guy that is a direct quote, satisfied?]. I think the fact that you don't think so is an indictment of your ability to evaluate players, thus making your opinion regarding Adu, close to worthless. Others may feel differently and mine is just an opinion. I have no intention making this thread about JMM and McBride since JRI has seen them play and I have seen them play and we both now have clearly stated our opinions. There really isn't any place else to go except for more personal attacks and gratuitous cheerleading which adds no value.
my point is that he'll need to be fed up to, and excel in, those levels to get a realistic chance at '06. if he continues to show well (as most think he will). they key tho will be mls- no question in my mind that success there is his ticket.
As a few people have suggested, I think it's very likely he may see time with the U-20's in November. And the olympics next year probably wouldn't be out of the question if he continues on his current learning curve.
let's see how he does playing professional soccer. That is the great thing about having a pro league. We won't have to speculate.
I honestly think that he could see at least spot duty in the league right now. I also think that JMM and McBride are two different players. However, on a pure impact basis, McBride played a huge role for us in Japorea. That carries a significant amount of weight in the whole argument.