Nowak to lead USA Olympic effort

The USSF announced on Wednesday that former DC United coach and U.S. national team assistant Peter Nowak would be the new coach of the U.S. under-23 tasked with qualifying for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

"We have 12 months to prepare for the most important tournament in this age group, and I am anxious to build on the work that we have already started with many of these players," Nowak said. "As we saw in the U-20 World Cup, we have some great young talent, and I will spend the next couple of months getting a good look at the whole group. Our job is not only to qualify for the Olympic Games, but to continue to prepare these players for service with the full national team."

So, you think Freddy Adu is happy to see his old coach take the reins of a team that he was likely to be one of the central figures. Why wouldn't he be? How quickly we forget. You see, Nowak and Adu didn't see eye to eye. Here's a trip down memory lane courtesy of Freddyadublog.com.

Then to the surprise of many, after what appeared to be a stellar game for the young Freddy Adu coach Nowak subbed Matias Donnet in the 65th minute for Adu. With Adu out, that changed the pace of the game and the Revolution were able to wind down the clock and come out victorious to move on to the finals. Although Nowak said he wanted fresh legs in the game and that was the reason for the substitute it came at an unusual time sparking debate over whether the substitution was just a stab at rumors that Freddy Adu might be moving to play in Europe.

Here's another one from a more traditional source (USA Today):

Adu vented his frustrations to reporters in October while United was preparing for the opening game of the playoffs. He said he should be playing "a lot more," even though he had started 16 of 25 regular-season games and averaged about 60 minutes per appearance as a second-year player. He said his lack of playing time had wrecked his chances of making the U.S. World Cup team and left open the possibility that he would leave United at the end of the season.

So, the drama is set to start again and soon, as Nowak has announced his attentions to organize some friendly matches to test the waters of the U-23 player pool before qualification begins next March. Looking at the players available this could be the U.S.'s strongest Olympic team ever.

Here's what Nowak had to say about the player pool on ussoccer.com:

“We feel very good about what is available to us. I think the bulk of the group will come from the players who played in the U-20 World Cup in Canada. There are also a lot of older players who are playing abroad – guys like Charlie Davies, Benny Feilhaber, Kamani Hill, Lee Nguyen and Jonathan Spector - that could play important roles. We know that working with the schedules of these players will be difficult, so that is why it is critical to move forward as quickly as possible. As for other players, we will certainly keep an open mind throughout the process.”

Hejduk is retarded, but god love 'em

Just watched this little behind-the-scenes video of the U.S. national team as they prepare to face Mexico, go down a goal at the half, and then comeback to win 2-1. Hejduk's lockerroom speech and Bob Marley quote is reason enough to watch. "We're Lions. We're warriors." Then Heydude gets to spend the second half with Miss USA. Awesome!

And is it me or does Donovan come off sounding like a dick when he compliments Benny's goal. "When he was about to shoot it I was thinking what the hell are you-oh, ok.." Gotta shoot to score LanDo. Let it rip. You think to much.

Finally, Peter Nowak drinking champagne out of the giant Gold Cup trophy -- priceless.

They turned off embedding so follow this link.

He's Messing up MLS

Shepp Messing’s comment during the NY-RSL match on April 7 that Freddy Adu should be called “Freddy Who” until he “does something” was not only retarded, it was possibly the dumbest thing the former 3rd-rate goalkeeper and Pele jock strap holder has ever, ever said. And that is saying a lot. Messing represents the very worst of the MLS broadcasting effort, which is essentially to hire former players (i.e. Balboa, Wynalda, etc.) and then put them with hockey play-by-play guys.

Adu was signed to be a professional before he could drive and told constantly that he was the messiah of U.S. soccer. He, no doubt, got more money (and more tail) than a 14-year-old would know what to do with, and then he was thrust into the spotlight, as the poster boy for a fledgling league that needed a boost after Florida contraction, lost money and minimal press. And Adu brought that attention in a big way. They talked about him on PTI, Sportscenter, The Today Show, even on terrestrial sports (read: baseball) talk radio. He “did something” before he even played a game. He might have even saved American pro soccer before he laced up. Messing should be on his knees thanking Freddy Adu for providing him with a job.

Lest we forget, he could have fled to England or Spain and finished secondary school in a soccer-specific country, instead of hoping for some soccer-specific stadiums to play in. He chose America, chose patriotism and was rewarded with a spot on the DC bench. Oh, former DC United coach Peter Nowak played him -- mainly late in games and out of position -- and expected the small-framed finesse player to play like a big, ugly bulldozer (read: Peter Nowak, Chicago Fire ’98). I suspect Nowak was a bit jealous of the youngster, and so when Adu finally acted his age and complained, Nowak gladly played the part of the bitter teacher who takes his own failures out on his brightest students.

And bright Adu is. A spark that could light the engine of Real Salt Lake this season. Adu is still the most skillful dribbler of any American I have ever seen play in my 15+ years of watching American soccer, and he’s only 17 years old. And now he’s in a much better situation. Former U.S. youth national team coach John Ellinger gets him and understands where he should play, and mark my words, Adu will flourish this year.

As for that stupid comment from the NY Energy Drinks cheerleader…all I can say is, Shepp who?

P.S. Check out the moustache in the pic. Does he have to alert his neighbors every time he moves?