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Battle of the champions
D.C. United get set for Chelsea in historical matchup
Wednesday July 27, 2005 1:24PM
WASHINGTON (AP) -- As if he weren't already excited enough, Freddy Adu was
asked to contemplate how it would feel if D.C. United could somehow find a way
beat Chelsea, the Premier League champion from England.
"You know how happy we'll be?" Adu said, his eyes lighting up. "How happy I'll
be? We're playing against, in my opinion, the best team in the world!"
For the first time, the reigning champions of the top soccer leagues in the
United States and England are playing each other, and it's a mismatch for the
ages. Chelsea's superstar-laden team -- yes, it is probably the best team in
the world -- has a payroll approaching $200 million, about 100 times more than
United pays its players in the newer, slower and salary-capped MLS.
United coach Peter Nowak can only hope that his awe-struck players' legs don't
get all rubbery when they take the field before an expected crowd of 30,000 to
35,000 Thursday night at FedEx Field.
"We have to make sure the pressure is not going to overwhelm them," Nowak said.
"There's nothing to lose, but this is a prestigious game and everyone wants to
present ourselves in a good way."
The game is the second leg of Chelsea's three-game tour of the United States.
The visit is a chance to get the players in shape for the upcoming Premier
League season while adding to the marketing power of a team whose overseas
popularity is still far behind giants such as English rival Manchester United
and Spain's Real Madrid.
Yet, even though the game is a just an exhibition, United's players know they
represent a league that lacks the pace of even a friendly effort from England's
best.
"I don't think we're pushing to beat Chelsea," midfielder Ben Olsen said. "We'd
like to win the game, of course, but we're realistic. They're a great soccer
team. We're going to play the best we can, and hopefully they'll play the best
they can. That's what people are coming out to see. It's going to be a great
test to see where we're at on a global scale."
United has hosted European clubs before, but Chelsea is the most impressive
visitor to date. Also, because of the timing of the match, the visitors are
expected to play most, if not all, of their top players.
"We're not just playing for us, we're playing for MLS," United midfielder Dema
Kovalenko said.
The 10-year-old American league is still somewhat of a novelty for the English
players, but Chelsea captain John Terry does know a little bit about United.
"I've seen them quite a few times, when we have late away games and we get back
at 2, 3, or 4 in the morning and switch the TV on, and some of the games are on
overseas," Terry said. "I know Freddy Adu plays there."
In fact, Chelsea is Adu's favorite team, and the 16-year-old prodigy has made
no secret of his desire to play for Chelsea one day. Adu was a guest in the
team's luxury box when Chelsea played an exhibition game in Philadelphia during
a tour last year.
"He's on our radar," Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck said.
Meanwhile, practice has been a bit more spirited for United this week. No
motivational speeches from Nowak are necessary.
"If you're not motivated before this kind of game, then you're in the wrong
place, the wrong locker room," Nowak said. "I think they are motivated right
now. You can see the excitement."
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希望明天不會失球
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