free freddy adu

In case you don't follow soccer, or somehow didn't here, Freddy Adu is now a member of your Real Salt Lake soccer club.

I received the news two ways; first, as I sat on my couch post-work yesterday and turned on ESPN, the Sportscenter preview let me know that Freddy had been traded to RSL. I actually said "Holy shit, Steve" and then yelled up the stair to Gina with the news.

Then I checked my gmail account and found an email from RSL GM (and email pal) Steve Pastorino with the title "How's this?" and the news.

I think the deal is great for RSL; they get a name player to help push the stadium, a talented kid who's familiar with the coach, but maybe even more importantly, they also picked up Nick Rimando, a goaltender who can push Scott "Go Go" Garlick - either from his regular goaltending position as "the immovable object*" or out the door somewhere else.

RSL game up a player allocation (provided by the "Beckham rule") and Jay Nolly in the deal - so basically they gave up next to nothing, considering they didn't even have a player allocation a month ago (and I don't think they were going to use it anyway), and the fact that Nolly never played.

A good deal all around, in my opinion. And if Freddy leaves when he turns 18, they've still picked up a goalie who knows what he's doing.

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*If Scott Garlick falls in the woods, does he make a sound? Nevermind, falling involves quick movement, something Go Go isn't real familiar with.