Updated: Philly signs Freddy Adu

[Detroit_TFC]

It's been a combo of bad luck and bad decisions with Freddy Adu since leaving MLS. Bad luck in that the manager at Benfica who brought him over left right afterwards (Fernando Santos). Bad decisions in terms of persisting in his European holding pattern at the cost of his USMNT spot at WC. I blame him for this but also his big-fucking-deal agent Motzkin (who is L Donovan's agent too, and Altidore too I think).


EDIT & CORRECTION - Adu has been with Motzkin only for a yr, clearly not responsible for past. In fact Motzkin may have saved him. My bad.

[drexel10]

I think sayong Donovan "failed' in Europe is simplistic. He failed to stick at Bayern Munich, but more than impressed at Everton, and were it not for LA not wanting to let him go, he'd probably be there now.

And my point was that bringing in a DP who failed out of Europe is sad, as opposed to bringing in a veteran with career achievements, or a younger player who was thriving. I have no idea how he will do in MLS, though I suspect not as well as you evidently expect.

He never stuck in Europe, and the quality of MLS has improved dramatically since he originally impressed here.

- Scott

Na, I am talking about a younger Donovan that failed at Leverkusen. He came back to the MLS slightly embarrased as he was the face of US soccer. Then they paid him more because he was the face and since then he has impressed. Adu is young (for arguments sake, he might be 28, who knows) and he is very talented. We have had DP's come in this league like Mista, Koke, Denilson, overweight guy from Houston, etc. etc. Adu is a player who still has the talent smarts and age to be a DP. I mean Hassli is a fantastic DP, but looking at his resume prior to coming here many would say he isn't worthy.

[Ultra & Proud]

His agent confirmed the signing to the Union and it is not a DP deal.

[Oldtimer]

His agent confirmed the signing to the Union and it is not a DP deal.

I guess after Chivas refused a DP deal, Freddy and his agent realized that a deal in the hand is preferable to the unemployment line.

They probably paid him something closer to what he's actually worth (minus the hype).

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also his family is in DC which is more or less near by, prob why he may have demanded DP salary at Chivas

[Ossington Mental Youth]

also Nowak being there

[Oldtimer]

On the assumption that the deal goes through, the biggest question is: Does it make the Union appreciably better?
In essence, Adu would be replacing 31-year-old Carlos Ruiz, making the Union younger and much more athletic.
Ruiz, who was criticized for a lack of hustle, still was a finisher, and had a team-high six goals before having his rights transferred to Veracruz of Mexico's second-division Liga de Ascenso.

Read more: http://www.philly.com/philly/columnists/marc_narducci/20110812_Report__Union_to_acquired_Freddy_Adu.html


Looks like an improvement.

Nowak understands Freddy, too. He pretty-well babysat him as a kid.

[QSIM]

I guess well see what's improved more:
The MLS over the past half decade or Freddy Adu's pedigree playing (not really) in Eurpoe.

[Jack]

He's only 22 and he'll finally get to play regularly after several years of sporadic first team action. We might see him blossom here in MLS. He must have learned something from being with Benfica.

[LCD Eindhoven]

Adu, not as a DP would be great for us.. I know lazy, but non DP then move JDG for a DP cb... we would have a lot of areas covered......

[TFC07]

Adu, not as a DP would be great for us.. I know lazy, but non DP then move JDG for a DP cb... we would have a lot of areas covered......

Easy now!

Adu has a lot of hype that's it!. He's 22 years old already. So it's time for him to perform now.

[Serb_Star]

Yeah hes "22"

[Shakes McQueen]

Yeah hes "22"

I don't follow your sarcasm.

- Scott

[Yohan]

I don't follow your sarcasm.

- Scott

questions have been raised whether his birth certificate from Ghana is faked...

apparently Klinsmann convinced him that signing for MLS is good since he'd get first team and be more in consideration for USMNT

[Fort York Redcoat]

I rate Adu as I would Edu.

Both had a lot of potential although Freddy had more hype.
Both went to comparable teams in quality

Edu gets regular time and does a job for Rangers

Adu could not get time at Benfica
-did not do much for a second tier Portuguese side on loan
-or a Greek side on loan
-or a second tier Turkish side on loan

Question: Would this not qualify as him going to a rival. He grew up in Maryland and played for DC.

Great vacation for him though.

[kodiakTFC]

I rate Adu as I would Edu.

Both had a lot of potential although Freddy had more hype.
Both went to comparable teams in quality

Edu gets regular time and does a job for Rangers

Adu could not get time at Benfica
-did not do much for a second tier Portuguese side on loan
-or a Greek side on loan
-or a second tier Turkish side on loan

Question: Would this not qualify as him going to a rival. He grew up in Maryland and played for DC.

Great vacation for him though.

Didn't he do really well with that side?