I think I would worry more about international games, particularly against low-level opponents who want to impress each other and their country-men by taking down some rich American punk Against real pros, yes, he's gonna get fouled - But the pros foul everyone a bit - The real pros will learn how the opposing Forwards react to fouls: Throw them off their game, or Make them play harder, etc - And also if its worthwhile really trying to play him hard (or not) and risk getting carded - If a forward isn't all that much of a threat, then why bother with the rough fouls and risk Yellow/Red cards - If a forward is really lethal, though, then do what you have to do - This is how Moreno got fouled and injured so much in years 5 & 6 here - The opposing defenders fouled him like crazy and nothing was ever called - In this case, better Reffing would "protect" Adu (and any creative player) more than anything else - (Some other leagues make a point of calling close games to protect the more creative players - And the result is better soccer for everyone) Freddy's also gonna have to get better balance - He's gone down too easily from valid 50-50 challenges and incidental contact - And learn how to skip over stabs and sliding tackles - The more the Refs see how he "protects" himself, the more they will call legitimate fouls against when he does go down (unless you're Porto's forward, Carlos Alberto) John L
Not sure this is an issue of his balance as much as physics. He's typically much smaller than his tacklers.
Look, I love watching Freddy and think he is an unbelievable talent. However, some of the silly,fancy,showoff stuff he tried v. Haiti,would get him kicked up in the air in any decent Men's league(if anyone could catch him ), let alone against Pros. He is going to have to tone it down...
I'm glad he tried some of the fancy stuff. Two Reasons: The US needs a player w/ flair, especially at the Youth Level, too often players who have Flair and a bit of arrogance get it "coached" out of them by the prerequisite "Hard-working, team football" approach. The other reason is Freddy needs the confidence on the ball to remain with him, we don't need another pass the ball at all times US Nats member, we need someone who will dribble through defenders and force double and triple teams AS well as have the vision to find make the final ball.
" D.C. United coach Peter Nowak is concerned that not enough is being done to protect 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu. Three games into the Major League Soccer season, Nowak says everybody wants a piece of his prodigy though Adu has yet to start a game. " Why do I think this coach is full of crap? This is a quote from Adu after the Haitian game. On his ankle injury? (Freddie Adu) > ?It?s just a reoccurring ankle injury. It is one of those things when >you think it is going away and then it comes right back. After that I >was a little scared to go in because whenever I got hit there it hurt pretty bad, but if you want to be the best you have to suck it up and play through an injury" ----------------- Now from me I am not a DC united fan, but I am an Adu fan. You have to rest an ankle sprain then after you work on strenghtening the ankle or it will become a chronic weakness in the ankle, and that is trouble. He will become injure prone in the ankle. You should not try and play through it. What's next a shot a of novacane in the ankle. What kind of injury advice is this kid getting from them? I know everyone wants to see him play me to. But, no one wants to see him get hurt or have a permentant weakness in the ankle. That has been my experience with this problem with young players, and I have a chronic weakness in the ankle myself from not wanting to stop so the healing process finish. Any orthapedic doctors in the crowd to chime in on this? That is the reason why some doctors put a cast on when it is not required. To keep the kid from playing on his own, and it is done with a parents ok. Evidently, Novak does not have worry in that way about Freddy. Am I wrong? Richie
Beasley's been living Freddy's life for 4 years. Every MLS team, DCU included, kicks the crap out of DaMarcus, each and every match. Now that DCU has a fast skilled little dribbler, too, it's going to start playing the public sympathy card? Puhleeze.
People are b1tching about Adu not starting, sitting him would cause a horrible uproar. Now then, Beasely is already the Most Fouled player, so ACTUALLY YES, DCU should start griping because Beasely is getting CALLS. Adu barely , barely gets anything. Adu is the MLS's most prized posession and he isn't getting calls, thats a reason not to start him..he touches the ball gets hammered disposessed no call no chance for FK.
Really? I saw Freddy's full 30 minutes vs. San Jose, most of his time against L.A., and a few of his minutes vs. Metros and honestly I don't recall him being fouled without the whistle being blown. Yeah, he got pushed around a bit, but some of those were legitimate plays and the ones that weren't were whistled. If Freddy dribbles past guys and gets knocked down, he'll get plenty of calls.
Fall Down Beasley, Fall Down! Adu's going to learn, just like all rookies, that MLS is not some rec-league that can be easily dominated. There are a lot of good players in the league and players that know how to use physical play to impose their will. Players like Nellie, Wanker, Goose, Llamosa, Kubik (sp?), and Morrow are going to use their size, strength and experience to make sure little speedy forwards don't beat them. This is just one part of the game. The question is does Adu become a whiner like Whinovan, Beasley, and Ruiz or does he deal with it. I hope for the latter.
I don't agree with your comments on Donovan, Beasley, and Ruiz. Donovan is a whiner, yes. Beasley asks no quarter and gives no quarter. He plays like he weighs 180 lbs, although of course he falls down a lot because he doesn't. Ruiz mouths off a lot but he also dishes out the dirt. I view him as more of a gamesmanship guy than a whiner, because I don't think he believes anything he ever says, while Donovan clearly does.
Is this a good place to mention my lonely crusade to get FIFA to make yellows for PI a major point of emphasis?
Sure, if you want to preach to the choir. At the youth level, where the referees are worse than at the professional level, I have seen games that would set your teeth on edge. I recall one game where one team made a halftime adjustment and hit the best player on the field each and every time he touched the ball in the second half. (As a side note, this is not a personal vendetta, as this game wasn't at my son's age group.) Every single time that kid touched the ball, bam he was fouled. Maybe 20 times for the half. Touch the ball, take a beating, fall down. Whistle is blown. Free kick given. Nothing happens. Again and again and again. A dramatic example but we all know that professional soccer is often marred by the same type of behavior, albeit on a more modest scale. I'd love to see a lot more yellow cards (and red, if necessary) given for PI.