US Olympic Qualifying Set to Start...

Tuesday, March 11, 2008
U.S.A. vs. Cuba

Thursday, March 13, 2008
U.S.A. vs. Panama

Saturday, March 15th, 2008
U.S.A. vs. Honduras

Roster was released - as I am sure you have seen - over the weekend and some notable omissions include Gold Cup hero turned Derby County wantaway Benny Feilhaber, last summer's U-20 standout Robbie Rogers, and FC Dallas' creative midfielder Arturo Alvarez. Michael Bradley of Heerenveen was left out due to club obligations. Heerenveen is still in the fight for the Dutch Eredivisie title and/or European contention with Ajax and PSV and Bradley is no doubt a huge part of that. The goal is to finish in the top two of their group, beat their opponent in the semifinal and make it to the finals which guarantees them a spot at this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing.

GK (2): Dominic Cervi (out of contract), Chris Seitz (Real Salt Lake)

Defenders (6): Hunter Freeman (New York Red Bulls), Patrick Ianni (Houston Dynamo), Michael Orozco (San Luis), Jonathan Spector (West Ham United), Nathan Sturgis (Real Salt Lake), Marvell Wynne (Toronto FC)

Midfielders (7): Freddy Adu (SL Benfica), Maurice Edu (Toronto FC), Eddie Gaven (Columbus Crew), Stuart Holden (Houston Dynamo), Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA), Dax McCarty (FC Dallas), Sal Zizzo (Hannover 96)

Forwards (5): Jozy Altidore (New York Red Bulls), Chad Barrett (Chicago Fire), Charlie Davies (Hammarby IF), Robbie Findley (Real Salt Lake), Kamani Hill (Vfl Wolfsburg)

With this roster, I would certainly expect Piotr Nowak to go with Jozy Altidore as the lone forward, putting Freddy Adu right in behind them as they did at the U-20 World Cup. Zizzo has got to go on one of the wings as I remember his dismantling of the Brazilian defense in Canada as well. Expect either Eddie Gaven or Stuart Holden to patrol the other wing. I, for one, can't understand the necessity of carrying a Chad Barrett over an Arturo Alvarez, who is versatile and serviceable on either of the wings, in the middle, or up top as striker. Then again, I also can't understand the choice of 5 strikers when the tactic should be tailor-made for Jozy. Robbie Rogers has apparently been fighting an injury which makes his absence a bit understandable. I am just hoping that due to the lack of a Zizzo-like left winger, we don't see Freddy Adu put out there. He needs be tucked in behind Altidore where he can dictate the run of play and roam freely. What I really like about this group, though, is the attacking presence in the back. At the Olympic level, I think this crop of fullbacks - with only one appearing regularly for the senior national team - could make a play for the weakest spot on the field for our Nats. Wynne, Freeman, and Spector should do well (Spector won't be joining them until after the Group Stages though so Freeman and Wynne will be left to prove themselves).

The XI see being used:

--------------Altidore----------------

Holden---------Adu-------------Zizzo

----------Edu--------Kljestan--------

Freeman---Ianni---Sturgis----Wynne

---------------Seitz------------------

First game is Tuesday at 8:00pm EST on Fox Soccer Channel. What's your take on the Starting XI?

Jose Antonio Camacho returns to Benfica.

Camacho is most well known for his links to Real Madrid as a player (a whopping 414 appearances at the Bernabeu) and a coach (from 2004-5). The Spaniard has also been capped over 80 times for the Spanish national team and coach the team from 1998 up to the 2002 World Cup. No one will question his experience as the new man at Benfica, but they will see the fact that he has never spent more than 3 seasons - in a managerial position - at one club (unless you count the Spanish national team). Former teams include Sevilla, Rayo Vallecano, Espanyol, and wait-a-second Benfica?! His stint with his new but old team lasted from 2002-2004 where he failed to win the Portuguese SuperLeague but did lift the Portuguese Cup trophy. He left because a certain blast from the past came a-callin' - that being Real Madrid.

As for the sacked Fernando Ramos - he had his chance last season and unless Benfica started off this new season with a flawless several game win streak, his departure was imminent. Camacho has admitted he has the foundation of players needed to make a great squad even greater, but he has asked for some time to get his ideas in place.

We will see in the coming week how this will effect Freddy Adu and - in my opinion - it is for all the better as Camacho is known for his knack to nurture youth superstars while also spending the first decade of his coaching career in the youth ranks of Real Madrid.

Freddy Adu issues a warning to David Beckham

BBC Sport has the details.

In short, though, on a much smaller scale Freddy Adu sort of knows what he's talking about. "Freddy Adu Mania" was felt by all MLS fans and even those on the fence. Is it even close to the amount of pressure that Beckham goes through everyday? Not at all. Adu is just saying...

What are your thoughts?

It is confirmed: Benfica answers Adu's European come-and-get-me call

The 18-year old showed his true colors at U-20 World Cup and now, about $2 million later, Benfica - a storied Portuguese superpower, legendary for being Portugal's soccer savior Eusebio's stomping ground - has won the signature of Freddy Adu. Confirmation here.

The task will be a tough one - Benfica has won the signatures of some highly rated players this summer. Angel di Maria, also a U-20 standout from Argentina, was courted heavily by Arsenal to add to their already youth-laden line-up, but found an $8 million move to Benfica much more appealing. Belletti, the versatile Brazilian who has long been a part of the core that was Barcelona's success, will join on loan after a tumultuous and frustrating year at Barcelona has brought in several new players, weeding Belletti out. Adu has his competition and large shoes to fill as slightly older Simao Sabrosa was considered Benfica's attacking heart and soul, but just transferred out. A $27 million offer from Atletico Madrid (who also recently just captured former Arsenal and Real Madrid attacking mid Jose Antonio Reyes) was too enticing to turn down.

Apparently, Adu has trained with them (as seen above, courtesy of Yanks Abroad), has received the graces of a Salt Lake community (who will be happy to have the money open up for a rebuilding acquisition) as well as a former D.C. community who want the kid to succeed (for the most part). If he plays with the grace and tenacity that he had in the recent U-20 World Cup, this kid could be something special. After 98 appearances in the MLS and the continued pressure of being the USA's first "soccer wonderkid", Adu will test his mettle abroad where the scrutiny is more intense and everything is under the microscope.

My verdict? Good move - and given two years, we're going to see a consistent, refined, and even haughtier Freddy Adu. One who can perform against teams other than those in CONCACAF (i.e. Mr. Donovan).

For those Benfica supporters/Portuguese SuperLiga fans that are looking for information on Freddy. Check here...

What are your thoughts?

Be back with more later. Day job calls.