Thinking about Freddy Adu

Posted by Creaven on June 15, 2010 under Gambling, USMNT, World Cup | 11 Comments to Read

Day 5

I won’t forget the day I saw Freddy Adu play the one of the greatest games anyone has ever played in a United States jersey.

I was finishing up college at Long Beach State and needed one more class over the summer to get the required credits for my degree. Unfortunately, on this particular day, my class (Media Law) was at the same time as the United States’ second game of the 2007 Under-20 World Cup against Poland. Obviously, the smart move would be go to class, but I have a lifetime track record of not doing the smart move.

Instead of discussing the legal consequences of the Pentagon Papers, I went to the computer lab to watch Polish and American teenagers play soccer against each other. I couldn’t find an English speaking stream for the game, but I found the Polish broadcast on the Internet. I’m happy I did.

Poland jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes, but the U.S. responded with six straight goals. Adu had a hat-trick, but it was how he scored that made it so memorable.

His first goal was an incredible strike from a tight angle, bending the ball around the goalie and off the far post before going in the net. His second was right before halftime, receiving the ball at the top of penalty box and perfectly placing it in the top corner of the goal. The third was late in the blowout, with Adu speeding by the defense and goalie before placing the ball in the open net.

Those were just the goals. He also sliced and diced the defense all game, creating scoring chance after scoring chance against a Poland team that beat Brazil 1-0 in the first match of the tournament. I’m not exaggerating when I call it a Lionel Messi-esque performance.

Adu continued his good play in the tournament, helping the U.S. beat Brazil and Uruguay 2-1 before Austria ousted the U.S. in the quarters. It looked like all the hype was warranted; Adu was going to be a superstar. The idea he wouldn’t be on the 2010 World Cup team seemed like an impossibility.

Less than a month after the tournament, Adu signed with Portuguese power Benfica. Since, Adu’s career has been stuck in neutral. It’s not Adu has played badly, it’s that he hasn’t played. Since going to Benfica, Adu has been loaned out three times (Monaco, Belenenses, Aris) and has played 32 matches in three years.

Adu’s problem is he’s best in a central attacking role (like in the Poland match). Most teams don’t play with a midfield player right behind a forward (especially bad teams), so teams stick him out on the wing. I hope Adu overcomes this paradox, but he has to find the right situation, which has proved difficult.

He’s 21 now, seven years removed from being crowned the future of American soccer and doing Sierra Mist commercials with Pele. But I don’t think I’ve heard his name muttered once during ESPN’s wall-to-wall World Cup coverage. It’s tragic. Looking back, so much has rarely been asked of someone so young. In a column, the Washington Post’s Michael Wilbon quoted MLS Commissioner Don Garber saying, when Adu was signed, “Not one person in the world soccer industry, from all the naysayers in this country to every major soccer team in Europe, thought that we would sign Freddy…This says strongly that we are serious about the business of growing the sport of soccer in this country.”

Everyone, from Garber to Nike, were interested in using Adu to promote their own product. What was in the best interest of Adu, the person and soccer player, came second.

In 2005, I was walking into a Quizno’s in Torrance, Calif. when a recognizable face walked by me.

“Freddy Adu?” I wondered out loud. Adu turned, smiled and gave me a quick nod before walking out the door. Thinking I had to share this sighting with someone, I told the sandwich-maker behind the counter.

“You know, that guy you just served is one of the most famous soccer players in the United States.” She gave me a quizzical look before saying, “Really, he looks like a kid.” I paused for a second and snickered, “He is.”

Adu isn’t a kid anymore, but it probably would’ve been a good idea to treat him like one when he was.

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Wednesday’s Predictions:

Chile 2, Honduras 1
Spain 4, Switzerland 0
South Africa 1, Uruguay 0

Wednesday’s Bets:

The over in the Chile/Honduras match (2.5) — +120 — bet $10 to win $12
South Africa to beat Uruguay — +210 — bet $10 to win $21

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Betting Summary

Tuesday was a crazy day, check the Day 5 blog if you want the details. But, I was 20 minutes away from losing $70, instead I won about $2.

Individual matches: 0-6 (lost $25)
Prop bets: 0-1 (lost $5)
Parlays: 1-1 (lost $.68).
Over\Under: 2-1 (made $27.50).
Future: 9 pending, 0 wins, 1 losses — lost $10 — $128 invested
Total: Lost $13.18.

You can get my most up-to-date bets on Twitter at IntelSoccer.

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mutsa magadah said,

I just saw that Adu posted a link to this on twitter. Absolutely brilliant article. I watched the very same game you speak of and have been a big follower of Adu since he came onto the scene as a 13yr old American/Ghanain. I hope for him that this is just a little speed bump in what promised to be such a glittering career. This is coming from an Englishman.
Will said,

Great article- I remember that match well, it was incredible. Freddy really needs to play somewhere that he can shine as the central attacking midfielder/ withdrawn playmaker. Still think there is a bright future for Zizzo and Szetela as well
Eric Krakauer said,

nice article. didn’t even know about this website. will definitely added to my reader.

check out: http://www.bigsoccerhead.blogspot.com

best,

Eric
Jake said,

As great as that game was, we’ve seen time and again that U-20 play is not the best predictor for senior team success.
No team is going to put a 21-year-old of no accomplishment in the trequartista role that everyone says is Freddy’s best position. No team is going to change its style or build its team around a 21-year-old of no accomplishment.
On the other hand, how about trying to learn another position? Right now, Adu has neither the movement/workrate OFF the ball nor the defensive fortitude to play winger. If you look at the best players, they work just as hard off the ball as they do on that. Freddy? He just kind of stands around and waits for someone to pass to him. The play has to run through him for him to be effective.
I think Freddy will find his groove eventually — I don’t think it will be a trequartista as everyone seems to insist.
His absence from the World Cup coverage isn’t tragic. People who keep insisting the teams around him need to change instead of his own playing style needing to change, that’s tragic.
Bill said,

Creavan,

This isn’t about Freddy Adu although its strongly related to his inability to be seriously considered for the USA at the adult level.

I’d love to hear your thoughts about the Spain-Switzerland game. I think for the first time the USA may have had an impact on the game in a tactical manner. The Swiss seem to have followed the USA’s plan to the letter against Spain: defend in numbers in the middle, concede the flanks (and let the Spanish cross to their hearts delight), and counter-attack. We have produced something that the world pays attention to, and it was Bob Bradley’s invention.

On the other hand, its probably generally negative tactically and negative for the game. Spain plays the way needed for a good viewer experience.I have to admit that the USA have produced a style of play that has been copied although its not something to terribly proud of, its an extremely negative “anti-football” approach.

Getting back to Freddy Adu, he lends nothing to a team playing what I’ll call “Bradley-Ball”.
Chris Carrier said,

Spain 4, Switzerland 0
South Africa 1, Uruguay 0

I think you were only seven goals off.

Thanks for the aricle.
Creaven said,

Musta, Will, Eric and Jake — Thanks for leaving comments. I’m always interested in what my readers are thinking.

Eric, I checked out your Web site — good stuff. I’ll be keeping tabs.

Jake, Your right, it would be silly for a team to change for Freddy. I guess the best case situation would be if a team already plays with a trequartista and Adu can backup someone and, when given an opportunity, prove he can be a difference maker at that position and move on to a different club and be a starter.

Bill, I talked a little bit about the Spain match in my most recent column.

Chris, thanks for pointing that out. Really appreciate it!
Programmusic said,

Adu has 15 caps for the national team, you can see him playing against Spain and Argentina, he looked quite good!

He’s looked good for Aris as well!
Enochie said,

Adu should have been in this world cup would have changed his career but this ass coach decided to choose his son..Adu is a great player and forward ..he was needed ,i hope the USA dnt get eliminated, i will laugh my ass off..I’m Ghanaian and I know he didn’t play for Ghana but he deserve a chance in the USA team..
Mickey said,

Freddy Adu is a good player, but I don’t see where he fits into our current national team system. We play a pretty flat 4-4-2, he doesnt have the power to play up front, out wide we have Landon and Clint, in the middle we play two box-to-box midfielders in Bradley and Clark. He’s a dribbler, can pick a pass and has an eye for goal, but he isnt versatile. Dempsey and Donovan can both play on the left, the right, behind the striker or up front. Holden can play on either wing or as a second striker, the same as beas. Freddy has to be able to wear many hats if he wants to compete. Best of luck to him though, he was brilliant in the u-20′s, and is a great player. I just hope he develops well and keeps his chin up.
only_me said,

Adu, its an overrated player….
To play in europe, it is necessary more that some skilz..
if he work hard,maybe he can play some games by Benfica..

but i doubt…he is a good player, but in USA Soccer…

In europe, we got 12/13 years old kids, doing what he does..