Franco-American Relations Are Mixed

Given that my boy Jozy Altidore (the Haitian Sensation! - TM by The NY Kid) got the first goal for an American in La Liga, I thought it would be interesting to get an update on how the Americans in Ligue 1 are doing. The results are mixed, if not a little predictable.



Carlos Bocanegra, the 29 year-old defender, plays for Stade Rennais F.C. who are currently 6th in Ligue 1. The former Fulhamerica player has started all 12 matches for his new club, and played a total of 1,071 minutes (an average of 89.25 minutes per match). Although he scored 8 goals for Fulham (in 116 appearances) and has 10 goals for the USMNT (in 62 appearances), the defender has yet to score or even register an assist for Rennes. He does, however, have 1 yellow card.

Freddy Adu, the 19 year-old striker and supposed wunderkind, plays for AS Monaco FC (on loan from Benfica) who currently sit 13th in Ligue 1. After becoming the youngest US athlete to sign a professional contract in over 100 years when he signed with DC United at the age of 14, Freddy scored 13 goals in 98 MLS matches (11 in 87 with DC United, and 2 in 11 with Real Salt Lake). He spent 1 year with Benfica, where he fired in 5 goals in 11 matches. However, Freddy has languished with Monaco, appearing in only 5 Ligue 1 matches (as a substitute each time) for a total of 46 minutes with 0 goals. He also started a Ligue Cup match and played 69 minutes, but also failed to score. Considering that Freddy has 0 goals in 11 appearances with the USMNT, this is perhaps unsurprising, but it seems like he was supposed to see a little more pitch time at Monaco (after all, was that not the purpose for the loan). Unfortunately for Freddy, Monaco's strike force of Alexandre Licata, Frederic Nimani, and especially the revelatory Park Chu-Young have kept him on the bench.


It seems that Bocanegra has a solid starting role in the Rennes defense, and he should be there for the forseeable future, while Freddy's time at Monaco may turn out to be a waste for all involved in the loan.