how about, who gives a flying ********!?!? this topic has been beaten to death in 4,539 previous threads.
I wouldn't call it "fake". It's possibly and probably not intentional. I pick up accents of those around me very easily. I just do it without thinking. My GF is from the south but doesn't have much of an accent but her mother does. I pick up her mom's accent everytime i am around her. Hell I pick up her accent after my GF picks it up from being around/talking to her mom then talking to me right after. I am the same way with Brit/Australian friends. Did the same when I spent a weekend in Canada. It just happens. I'm sure if i spent all my time elsewhere I'd end up talking that way all the time too.
Very true. I've been living here in Australia for more than two years now, and been in and out of the country for more than the better part of the last three years, and I sound just as American as the day I left California. At least that's what a lot of Aussies tell me. So I guess I'm never losing my American accent. That's something which makes my voice very unique around here, and I have no regrets about that. The reverse for some people, such as Brad Friedel, is true. They can pick up accents quite easily. I find it quite charming to hear Friedel speak... and I can't wait to hear him on the highlight show here on Monday night.
I still don't see what you are talking about. He still sounds American to me. Or at least he doesn't sounds at all English. Anyone who didn't know who he was and heard him speak would automatically pick him out as American, and ZERO would say he sounds English. At least zero people who know what English people talk like.
He sure as hell doesn't sound American, he sounds like everyone else said, a bastardized american enlish hybrid, that makes him sound like he is faking, which is something I can't imagine he does, or would want to. And yes I do live in England.
Never in my life have I heard an American speak like Friedel. Not saying he sounds English, but he's not speaking 'merican either.
I don't think its so much his pronounciations and enunciations (how the british prounce southwick in london as suvvick is beyond me) as it is picking up the culturally different words and using them, ex: Yank-English Guys-Blokes Soccer-Football Coach-Gaffer Hot-Fit Drunk-Pissed Vacuuming-Hoovering Garbabe-Rubbish Can-Bin He sounds American to me he just uses lots of king's english words.
Who cares what he sounds like, it's how he thinks. Claudio and Keller seem to know what's going on in America (young guys, stadiums, teams, etc) while Brad sounds like a Eurosnob half of the time. He knew nothing about Howard, he bashes MLS for rules that were changed 3 or 4 years ago, he knows nothing about our young players or anyone on the team younger than him, etc. Claudio and KK give intelligent measured insights which shows that they know and care about where we stand. No delusions while being supportive and upbeat. Had enough of Friedal. I watched every WC2002 game again. Brad had the game of the tourney against S Korea, but... Portugal - Not all that much to do except command his box properly Poland - looked average like everyone else Mexico - looked very unsure on several shots and plays. Almost gave up 3 goals that were his fault in timing or decision making. Poor. Germany - See above Give me KK and Timmy any day. His attitude has always sucked when he doesn't get his way. US - Mexico qualifier - he was the whiner, not Kasey...sick of him and his stupidity and arrogance. Stay in England Brad or get a clue. Seems that your compatriots understand, but you don't. Ignorant Eurosnob.
I guess all that comes in from regular contact with Jim Smith.... I really don't see how you can say all those bad things about Brad. The guy has a heart of gold. I don't think i've met many nicer down to earth footballers in my life. Can you define Eurosnob again? Does it apply to Brad because he likes the league he plays in, and thinks that MLS isn't perfect? Would you be as mad at an English player coming over to MLS and saying elevator instead of lift?
I think Brad definitely is in love with the EPL, but that doesn't make him a bad person. He's adopted all the jargon to such a degree that it seems as if he is leaning toward a career as an announcer (pundit) after he hangs up his gloves. Granted, Timmy is much more grounded as a person and - having spoken to both of them - is much more sincere. But who knows what will happen to Timmy after another 10 years as a professional athlete. Hell, give Timmy another couple years in the EPL and he'll be boasting that the lads are in form.
Brad is the only Limey from Bay Village, Ohio. "At the end of the day, we've got to set things right. We were having a bit of a go at them, but it was all handbags."
A Brad Friedel interview with with ESPN's Lisa Salters http://news.bbc.co.uk/media/video/38091000/rm/_38091645_brad_friedle_vi.ram
The first time anyone with a (slight) Manc accent has ever been called a "eurosnob". Hilarious! Damn Eurosnobs, they should go back to sissy France, or..err.. a Lancashire mill town.
First of all, I noticed no one disagreed with me about his performance at the cup. Secondly, if you have been following our Yanks Abroad for a while now, I assume you have, he makes statements that constantly downgrade the league, it's players and the youth system. He doesn't really even know what's going on here. Just pay attention from now on for this has been going on for a long time. KK and Claudio seem to be able to talk about what a joy it is to play in the P'ship and how it beats MLS without making fun of it. They also seem to be very aware of our youth team and many of the players. How is it that both of these guys knew about TH (just one example, but there are many). Why is it that TH specifically talked about the help and advice he has recieved from KK and Claudio? How each one was reassuring about him having the talent from seeing and hearing about him? Brad had no clue...barely heard of him. Shocked were his words I believe. This is typical. If we look past the SKorea game this guy has been a baby and whiner where ever he has gone. Liverpool, Turkey, US Team, MLS. Brad always knows better. Does it bother me....absolutely. Why can our other Yanks Abroad appreciate where they play and revel in it without taking pot shots at where the US game is now. How come Brad can find MLS ridiculous (his words) while the others can admit that it's not there and it will take time, but we have to work at it. How come Brad knows nothing about our setup here? Doesn't know the players, youth tourney's, etc. while it seems that all others keep tabs? I'm sure he has a heart of gold, but that does not make him a good spokesman for our game. Seems like it is more important to him to make sure the locals know that he is the exception and that their way is better and he agrees whiel the dumb Yanks over there are in the Dark Ages. Met Brad twice, in Miami before 1994 and again in Columbus a few years later. Europe was always it for him and MLS just was never going to be worth it because he was too good for us. That's fine, no problem with that, but there is no need to downgrade our game here while there. No need to lie about it, but to be so negative and obviously uninformed? Others can be realistic and articulate. Brad comes off as arrogant, ignorant and lacking. Said my piece. Don't hate the guy mind you and I am a BBurn supporter because of him. Just not the type of ambassador I want for the league and the country. He can keep his accent and opinions and stay there. Gibe me KK and Timmy any day. If Brad does get shafted for a game watch him cry and threaten to never play for the Nats again. He's done it before, I'm sure his ego is bigger now. Bring it on guys.
I was in NC for 2 weeks 4 years ago and I've had a southern twinge to my speaking ever since, it just happens to people sometimes. Next, jsut because Brad is more forthright and may, in general, speak more sharply and bluntly, doesn't mean he's a "eurosnob" or whatever else. there are also a bunch of rumors going around that everyone seems to pick up on. that he didn't write timmy a recommendation letter for his appeal for a work permit? please, a reliable source. brad is an incredibly nice guy, very polite, but he's also very serious about his soccer and he believes completely in what he thinks. he very much wants MLS to become the best league out there and he's frustrated that it hasn't gone farther (even though it has gone a decent ways).
Oh yeah. I disagree, I thought he was pretty good at the Cup. It seemed that about a year and 8 months ago, people seemed to agree with me on that one. Why do you think he has no clue of what's going on, TAKK?
From his statements about the US players, youth system and MLS....YES! He doesn't know what's going on here. You got it. Take away the SKorea game, in which he was absolutely fantastic, and he was absolutely shaky to average. Have just recently watched every game over the last mth and that really STANDS OUT. Take that one incredible performance away and you don't think twice about him. The hype of his excellent season last year, well deserved keeper of the year mind you, has made him this glory figure. Go back and watch the games, SKorea aside. Interesting to say the least. Once again, it is amazing how our players going abroad are always thanking Claudio and KK, yet never Brad. Interesting. Interesting how Brad doesn't seem to know a US player unless he has actually played with them. Funny how he wasn't sure there were two youth tourneys last year while the others did. He seems real informed and helpfull. Again, when he doesn't play a qualifier that he is available for watch the fireworks. Just pay attention from now on. He puts foot to mouth endlessly. Sure it won't stop now.