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Feeling Grand Over Nationals' Fixed-Up Digs
Nowak, 42, played pro soccer for 23 years before becoming a coach. He has a reputation as a no-nonsense taskmaster whose infrequent use of teenage prodigy Freddy Adu in 2004 and 2005 was criticized by the media here and in Europe. But this year Adu has become a regular and Nowak put the 17-year-old midfielder on the all-star team.
"The fact my coach selected me was very satisfying," Adu said. "When I started here three years ago the expectations, including my own, were ridiculous. But I'm more relaxed now and just trying to play my game."
  Even Cubs fans such as Gary and Debbie Roach, from Chicago, received free Washington Nationals baseball caps as part of the team's "grand reopening" on Friday night. (By Ricky Carioti -- The Washington Post) |
"I'm a tough teacher," Nowak admitted, adding that he signed as a player in Poland "when I was 15, so I know it's difficult at Freddy's age. But he's made a lot of progress the past three years and has become a stronger person. He's on the all-star team -- because he's earned it."
Still, Adu's success in Washington this season has not deterred his determination to leave United and MLS to play in Europe next year. "I'll be 18 -- and that's where I'm headed. I'm just waiting for the right situation," he said.
Nowak's take: "It's very demanding to play in the best of the European leagues. But everyone has dreams. When he's ready, he'll know it."
One of Adu's mentors, Jaime Moreno, 32, United's six-time all-star, says that nowadays "most young players are spoiled." Moreno, who has played 225 games for United and is a steadying force, remembered his early days, "cleaning shoes and doing stuff for the older players." But he respects Freddy.
I asked Moreno if he'd like to be 17 again? "Not 17," he answered. "I'd be happy to be 20."
Extra Points
· The Capitals, after losing Jeff Halpern and Brian Willsie to free agency this month, showed they are serious about riding Alex Ovechkin into playoff contention this year. GM George McPhee's recent signing of tough guy Donald Brashear and defenseman Brian Pothier, as well as trading for right wing Richard Zednik, prompted McPhee to tell The Post's Tarik El-Bashir "we're probably two moves away from being a playoff team." Encouraging comments from the normally reserved McPhee.
· The Wizards also have been busy, extending Coach Eddie Jordan's contract by three years for $12 million, keeping him in the fold through 2010. Jordan deserved the extension, but front-office suggestions that he add a defensive specialist to the coaching staff seem reasonable. The Wizards would have won more games in the regular season and beaten Cleveland in the first round of the playoffs with better defense.
Adding fourth-year forward Darius Songaila (6 feet 8, 240 pounds) to the front court is a plus, as is the Wizards' intention to retain Jared Jeffries. But indecision on whether top draft pick Oleksiy Pecherov will play this season for the Wiz or his Ukrainian team, BC Kyiv, is puzzling. While President of Basketball Operations Ernie Grunfeld said the key is having Pecherov play (somewhere) this year, I'm old fashioned enough to think first-round draft picks should help a team right away; nor will I be following BC Kyiv, regardless of Feinstein's plans to chronicle Pecherov's season if he remains in the Ukraine.
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