Freddy, and American fans, seemed to believe things were about to turn around at Monaco.  Freddy had made statements that he was very close to starting for the club, and his demonstration of skill and passing during the US’s qualifier against Guatemala seemed to support that thought.  Unfortunately though, things are only going to get tougher for the young American.

Freddy Adu played 15 minutes for Monaco this weekend against Bordeaux.  Monaco was winning 3-0 at one point, but were 3-2 when Freddy took the field.  The coach brought Freddy on to spark some offense, and he did, unfortunately it was for the wrong team.  Two Freddy Adu errors and Bordeaux won the game 4-3.

You can’t blame the loss on Freddy, but he didn’t exactly help his case with that performance.  He hasn’t seen significant minutes in one calendar  year and after this weekend, he might not see the field for a while.  This is the perfect ammunition for the Freddy Adu critics of the world.  I have always supported the young playmaker and this weekend’s performance has not changed a thing.

I think people forget that Freddy is only 19.  There definately are players in Europe who were phenomenal at 19, but Freddy is different.  Freddy is much more raw than players like Fabergas or Messi. He doesn’t have the same pedigree or the benefits of being developed by the Barcelona youth system.  He also doesn’t have the blistering pace and moves of Cristiano Ronaldo. Lets not forget Cristiano’s first season at Man U was less than stellar.  I think Americans had hoped that Freddy would be farther along by now, but that isn’t all his fault.

Freddy Adu, much like Beckham, is a brand.  In retrospect, he has been treated more as a marketing device than a legitimate soccer player.  Maybe some of that hype got into to his head, or maybe that hype got into our heads.  MLS brought in the young phenom to sell tickets and gain sponsors.  The Freddy Adu frenzy was ridiculous and MLS was better for it.  Freddy was too young though, and I believe DC United coach Peter Nowak knew that.  He did his best to get him on the field, and maybe his tactics for developing Freddy were not the best, but his assessment of the player was correct.  Former Benfica coach, Camacho, had a real interest in Freddy and developing him.  Adu was an instant success both on and off the field.  Then Camacho got canned and the new coach had little use or belief in Freddy.  Monaco swooped in for Adu, but it was more about marketing than soccer.  Monaco’s American owners wanted an American and who better than Freddy Adu, the marketing machine, to bring on board.  It is a shame, because I don’t believe the club ever had any real plans to develop Adu. Young players not capable of making the starting lineup are typically loaned out to smaller clubs to gain experience.  Monaco is not a small club, and I doubt anyone really believed he would gain more experience sitting on the Monaco bench as opposed to the Benfica bench.  He is on loan at Monaco from Benfica, with an option to stay at the end of the season.  So what is next for Freddy?

Should Freddy stay at Monaco and fight for playing time? Should Freddy head to the next big club looking to sell jerseys?  Or, should Freddy move to a lower league/division and get some regular minutes right away?

My vote is for a move.  Fighting for a spot does show a great amount of character, but what Freddy really needs is playing time.  A season in the Spanish second division, Serie B, the Belgium League, or a bottom of the table French team, might help him more than fighting at Monaco.  Once he has a full season of first team European football under his belt, he will be capable of fighting for a spot.  Right now he is at a severe disadvantage.

Freddy is good, but he isn’t the next Pele, and he isn’t going to usher in the golden era of American soccer.  Freddy can do things that few American players are capable of doing.  He has imagination and spontaneity, he can make something out of nothing.  That doesn’t make him a complete player, nor does it make him a good professional, but he has the fundamental ingredients for greatness.  You can make a player fitter, faster, stronger, more tactically aware, but you can’t teach them magic.

What do you guys think about Freddy’s situation? Should he stay or should he go?

Internazionale v. Manchester United

This match should be called “Mourinho v. Ferguson.”  The two old “friends” meet again and neither could be happier.  Mourinho asked for a tough draw to motivate his team and he got it.  Sir Alex is probably relishing the idea of crushing Mourinho.  This is going to be a blood bath and should be the most highly anticipated game of the second round.  Inter stuttered at the end of the group stage and they can’t afford to make a mistake against the English Champions.  Inter, at its best, is very very good.  The Italian side is capable of a little bit more magic than Man U, with players like Ibrahimovic in form.  Man U is the defending champion and for good reason. I’m going to predict that Inter upset Man U in this one.

Chelsea v. Juventus

Juventus isn’t the same powerhouse it used to be, but don’t take them lightly.  They currently sit second in the Italian league and finished first in their group. They beat Real Madrid twice on their way to the second round.  Chelsea hasn’t shown its best form in Champions League.  They won 3, lost 1, and tied 2 in a relatively easy group.  Scolari doesn’t have the depth needed to challenge in for both the Champions League and Premier title.  The winter transfer window will important to Chelsea to see if they can muster some bodies.

Villarreal v. Panathinaikos

Panathinkaikos was the surprise winner of Group B, a group that also contained Inter Milan and Werder Bremen.  This an exciting team that is capabel of beating anybody.  Villarreal finished second behind Man U.  Villarreal has struggled with some injuries as of late, but there is plenty of time for them to heal and possibly bring in some fresh players during the transfer window.  This game should be on of the more exciting, yet overlooked, matches of the second round.

Sporting Lisbon v. Bayern Munich

Bayern couldn’t be happier with this draw.  Munich is once again becoming one of the most feared teams in Europe.  Lisbon might not have what it takes to bring down the Munich giants.  Lisbon finished second in their group behind Barcelona, in a weak group.  Lisbon was crushed by Barcelona in the later stages 5-2 before clinching with a win against Basel.

Atletico Madrid v. FC Porto

Atletico finished second in their group behind Liverpool after dropping two points to Marseille in the final match day.  Atletico has been in excellent form, tieing Liverpool twice. FC Porto is a tough team to beat at home.  They proved that in their 2-0 victory over Arsenal. This match could either way, but I see Atletico coming out on top.

Lyon v. Barcelona

This should be a very open and exciting match.  Barcelona has been tearing through the  competition, both domestically and in Europe.  Messi has 5 goals and is in outstanding form.  Lyon, though, should not be taken lightly.  Lyon finished second in their group after losing to Bayern 2-3 on the final match day. Karim Benzema has been lighting up Europe with 5 goals of his own, and is proving to be one of the best young talents in the world.  This game should be fun to watch.

Real Madrid v. Liverpool

Real Madrid finished behind Juventus and is in its worst form of the season.  There has been a great deal of shake up as of late for the Spanish giants, but Real is a team you can’t take lightly.  Madrid boasts some of the best talent in Europe, and should be back to winning ways come winter’s end.  Liverpool, under Rafa Benitez, has had amazing success in Europe. Liverpool is once again poised to win it all this year.  Rafa knows the Spanish game like the back of his hand and should prepare his boys well for this match.  I see Liverpool taking this one.

Arsenal v. AS Roma

The disaster that is Arsenal takes on a very good Roma side.  Arsenal has been struggling and has already been counted out of the Premier League race.  Arsenal is young, dynamic, and inconsistent.  Their success against Roma all depends on which Arsenal shows up to the stadium that day.  Roma, on the other hand, have the advantage of experience on their side.  Players such as Totti, Baptista, Pizarro, Panucci, and Perrotta have seen it all.  Totti is playing well, which means Roma is winning.  Add to that the goal scoring prowess of Vucinic, and you have very tough team to beat.