Or maybe Freddy busts a move, breaks said veteran defender's ankles and scores a goal. Andy- I would also think that the same contract clause would also keep Stoitchkov on the same team or force him to retire....maybe???
A veteran MLS defender makes a gentleman's effort at defense so as not to lose face, and then gives chase. Jaap Stam or Paolo Maldini muscle him off the ball. He has great promise and dedication to improving himself. The latter is more important. Age 16-19 will be the most crucial. Hopefully by then his moves, speed, and reading of the game only need refinement and he can really make a push at improving his strength. If he is going to lead the USMNT to the World Cup Final, he will need the strength to create his own goals by muscling/feinting through the box, and he will need the jump and muscle to win those headers to help distribute the ball.
Man, that tackle Dema laid on DMB, right in front of Bradley no less, was one of the greatest moments ever in sports. Bradley's expression was priceless. He wasn't even mad, he was just shocked. He had the same expression he would have had if a Martian ship had landed on the field, or if Dema and DMB had embraced in a deep, soulful kiss.
You could read his lips even, "What the f..." And he didn't actually continue, he stopped at the 'f'.
If I'm any one of several dozen very slow MLS defenders, I "slip" , act like my studs have broken, change my cleats, and hope the ref blows the 90 minute whistle soon.
He's now an opposing player, so I would expect my team's defenders to treat him the way they would treat any other opposing player. And if that means roughing up Adu, so be it.