I don't expect Freddy to start (regularly) until sometime mid-summer...but if he WERE to start from beginning on (say, over next 2 months, he proves he can hold up physically, and is simply too talented to keep on bench). What does the lineup look like, and where does Freddy fit in? I'm thinking (but don't follow DC that well) Stewart-Cerritos (subs Esky, Q2 when healthy) Adu-Convey-Kovalenko-Nelsen-Olsen (Quaranta) Prideaux-Petke-Reyes My thinking is that Freddy is 'protected' better out on the wing...most dangerous when having space to attack 1v1...so as a pure left winger or outside left mid. Also, playing next to Convey would be good for US Nats, although likely Nowak not worried about that (maybe Bruce puts bug in ear?) My alternative is Adu upfront w/Stewart....but I just don't like idea of Freddy (frequently) with back to goal for another few months
Well, Beasley isn't very protected on the wings. One of the main reasons why I don't feel he should start is that we just know he's going to be fouled alot. That much wair and tear can't be good for such a young player. Undeniable talent or not.
You are not going to save the young man from hard fouls...(actually, maybe so- quiet edict from corporate?)...but as long as Freddy can SEE them coming, he'll be OK I think. Back to goal strikers or center mids get hacked more IMO. Beasley get fouled a lot for several reasons, but not really because he is 'on the wing'. He woulda gotten fouled just as much/more (and worse) in center
problem with dc is that they have to many fowards and mid. but not enough defense. despite what many people think i believe Freddy will be a regular upfront. he possess dribbling skills to go with his accuracy to break through a teams defense. if you ask me it will be Adu - Eskandarian Convey - Stewart - Carroll - Olsen ? - Petke - Stokes - ?
You have to be kidding me, right?! Nelsen was our only all star last year, as a defender, and you didn't even include him. DC certainly doesn't have enough forwards ........ at least any that produce. As a matter of absolute fact, DC doesn't have ANY forward on the squad who has had a big year at any point in their career in this league. Pick one ....... Esky? Cerritos? Quaranta? Martins? Stewart? who? please tell me who this excess of forwards are. Stick to evaluating your own team, because you are dead wrong on this one.
i would't base D.C.'s sorry excuse for a season last year on the players. It was the coach that didn't want to play any of the young talent that he had.
Freddy doesn't have the defensive workrate or technique to play wide in a 3-5-2. He could play wide mid in a 4-4-2, wide a-mid in a 4-2-3-1 (the position he played with the U-20s) or he could play forward.