Caught in Possession

Here's my MLSnet piece on the hot commodity that is Luciano Emilio...and I just wrapped up a look at United's Sunday throwdown with San Jose, which should be posting soon.

Plus...on Thursday I got to speak to Fred, DC United's crafty Brazilian midfielder, about his team's recent resurgence and his household's newest member, daughter Eduarda. Though the newborn has made sure he hasn't been getting too much sleep lately, Fred produced a lively performance against New York -- one that saw him excel across the midfield, playing left, right and center with similar aplomb.

I think the confidence is up, definitely, and once you get one, everyone is so much happier and feeling so much better on the field, that we get more positive results.
-on United's four-game unbeaten streak and the renewed confidence it has inspired.

Yeah, I definitely like it, but that’s definitely Marcelo’s position. If he ever needs me to fill in, I will!...That’s my natural position, I always played there.
-on his rare, but clearly liberating, stint in the the central attacking midfielder role. United's regular #10 Marcelo Gallardo was suspended against the Red Bulls.

Yeah, I really like that, because sometimes it’s hard for me to play on the left – I always try to go towards the middle, and playing on the right it’s easier for me to do that. And Tino can play on both sides, so that’s a good change.
-on United's recent tactic of switching wingers during games, to find space and exploit defensive matchups.

Yeah, I don't sleep anymore. Last night I sleep four hours...I try to help out and let [Debora] sleep as much as she can, changing diapers and all that.
-discussing the travails of parenthood, and how he's helping his wife cope.