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October 25, 2005
Freddie Will Be Ready On Sunday
D.C. United took a step forward towards resolving the Freddie Adu kerfuffle as it lifted the kid's suspension so he'll be eligible to play in Sunday's match against the Chicago Fire at RFK. As for the team, they're saying everything is hunky dory now: "As far as the club is concerned, this issue is behind us and we're eagerly awaiting Sunday's game," United spokesman Doug Hicks said yesterday. "He will train all week and we expect him to be available for Sunday." So for now, everybody wins: The team (front office and coaching staff) made its point; Team Adu delivered its message to United and MLS; and under the theory that there is no such thing as bad publicity, the press gave some ink to MLS while the NFL, the World Series and the return of the NHL were previously dominating conversation. Here's another question, that I'm not sure I know the answer to: Would it be better for Adu's development to leave United for another club? It seems clear that Team Adu is convinvced that it couldn't be any worse than it is now in Washington, which is probably why they were squawking in the first place. POSTSCRIPT: I was at United's regular season finale two weeks ago against Columbus, and like DCenters, couldn't help but notice the horrible condition of the pitch -- the predictable result of having to share a stadium with a baseball team. I don't know about anybody else, but seeing that really bugs me, and couldn't help but remind me of my trip to MLS Cup '99 in Foxboro where the pitch was clearly burned out. If there is a better indicator of Soccer's place in the American sports landscape, I'm not sure what it is (though We Call It Soccer has another suggestion). As far as I'm concerned, the new stadium for the Nationals can't get built fast enough. As for the plans for a new stadium for United, I'll believe it when I'm standing inside of it. And in fact, I'd be more than happy to see them stay at RFK after the Nats depart, even if it means forgoing a new stadium altogether.
Eric
12:31 PM
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