Welcome to Europe Freddy
Freddy Adu is getting a quick education in how different European soccer is from Major League Soccer.
Benfica manager Fernando Santos was fired after one league match, a draw against newly-promoted Leixos. That's right. One match. Santos should send his resume to clubs in MLS, where you can go months without a win and still keep your job.
How will that affect Adu? It will be interesting to see. Adu did not see the field in Benfica's tie and it is unclear what interim manager Fernando Chalana thinks of Adu.
Holy s-word this is not good. Let's hope that this guy is some Adu-follower or else he might flounder. Following the McBride news, this hurts.
However, there is good news as one of Fulham's outside mids (the guy Dempsey always comes in for) dislocated his shoulder. Looks like Dempsey might be starting soon. Hooray.
Posted by: Brad of SoccerFansintheUSA | August 20, 2007 at 10:46 AM
So much for our U-17s having a chance to 'win it all'. We lost to Tajikistan, which sounds like a made-up country.
Posted by: Brad of SoccerFansintheUSA | August 20, 2007 at 11:01 AM
lol brad.
Adu needs someone to have his back. I hope he does, or this could be a disaster for him
Dempsey!! I hope he is match fit . . .
Posted by: Uncle Dave | August 20, 2007 at 11:14 AM
All Freddy can do is try to preform in training. No matter the manager, if Freddy can demonstrate that he has the quality to play on that level, than the manager will put him on the field.
I for one have my fingers crossed that he can make a good impression.
Posted by: Brandon Robins | August 20, 2007 at 11:32 AM
I have faith in him. He's a baller, no doubt. He just needs to find his element and make sure he stays there long enough for the coach to watch him. I'm not terribly worried; he has a decent chance not only to prove himself, but, in the long term, to succeed.
Posted by: QJA | August 20, 2007 at 11:59 AM
From the match report it looks like he didn't even make the bench, let alone see the field. Is he injured?
Posted by: Rick | August 20, 2007 at 12:49 PM
Anybody know anything about the new or interim coach? Was he previously employed by the club or is he an outsider? If he worked at the club he may be more willing to give Adu a chance since presumably he was aware of the qualities that Adu brings.
Posted by: Braden | August 20, 2007 at 04:01 PM
Hopefully the signing was more a product of the clubs beliefs about Adu then the recently disposed coach. I think he can succeed but it may take awhile to get accustomed to life and the play there. Dempsey just needs a chance and some better luck when it comes to his finishing. Terrible about McBride though but maybe Bouazza's injury will give another American a better chance at some playing time.
Posted by: weezy | August 21, 2007 at 01:16 AM